Sinus Infection Treatments

The first thing a lot of people think about, when they start having sinus trouble is going to the doctor and getting an antibiotic.  Naturally, they want to feel better quickly, so normal activities can resume.  Unfortunately, this is not always the best remedy.  Sinus infection treatment largely depends on the type and frequency of the malady.

In your Kitchen

Sometimes the best treatment for a sinus infection is found in your own kitchen. Going to the doctor and paying for a round of antibiotics is useless, because the cause is not bacterial.  For many individuals, the source of their pain and discomfort is a virus or allergies.
If, after a week of home remedies, you do not feel better, then check with the doctor to determine whether another underlying illness is causing so much pain and discomfort. Start by:

• Drinking plenty of fluids – a person should drink at least eight glasses of water per day, in order to stay properly hydrated.  Orange juice does not count.  A lot of people do not drink the recommended amount.  It will help the mucus run out of your nose, hopefully taking the infection as well.
• Steam – sitting over a pot of steaming water, with a towel over your head, is not just something you see in the movies.  It really can help loosen up the gunk in the sinuses.  If you don’t want to bend over the stove, turn the shower to hot and sit in the bathroom.  Roll a towel up under the door, so you essentially create your own sauna. Be sure to open the door or window, and leave the fan on, when you exit the room.  You want the steam to dissipate, and the room to dry out, between sinus treatments.  Otherwise, you can develop a mold problem that will only exacerbate sinus problems.
• Salt Water – Even for those that have a prescription for antibiotics, the doctor may also recommend and over-the-counter nasal rinse.  If you ask what it is, the solution is actually one quarter teaspoon of salt to one cup warm water.  If you own a bulb syringe, you have all that you need to make it at home.  It helps the nasal passages to drain, and reduces the inflammation.

You can find a whole list of home remedies for sinus infection treatments.  But, these are the main ones.  Of course, you will need the typical pain killers to reduce the pain and discomfort of the illness.
However, if you are an individual that suffers from fungal infections, it can be a serious and sometimes fatal health issue.  Patients who are undergoing therapies for cancer or who already have diseases that compromise immunity should let their physician know right away, if they have a sinus infection.  Here are possible treatments:

• Endoscopic surgery – if the sinuses have been invaded by fungus, the doctor may have to remove it.  Some types can be very invasive and need to be cleaned out before prescribing further treatment.  So, the first step will likely be some sort of x-rays to determine the extent of the infection.
• Anti-Fungal – antibiotics will be of no use, if the infection is fungal.  The doctor will prescribe something that will actually kill the fungus, before it has a chance to grow and do any other damage.
• Finding the source – for individuals that suffer from fungal infections, it is important to find out where they are coming in contact with fungus, especially if this is a recurrent problem.  Is there fungus in the home or the workplace?  While you may thoroughly clean with something to kill fungus, it is probably a good idea to hire a professional to look for it, and help you learn how to keep it from coming back.

When the home treatments do not work, it is time to see a doctor, even if you are otherwise healthy.  You probably came into contact with bacteria and have the type of infection that will respond well to antibiotics.  However, it is important to finish the prescription, even after the symptoms are gone.

Many people make the mistake of throwing the remaining pills away, when they start feeling better.  In many cases, they come down with another sinus infection very soon.  While they felt great, the infection was not totally gone.  Once the sinus infection treatments stop, it has a chance to come back and make life miserable again.

In short, sinus infection treatments depend on the actual cause of the illness.  Viral infections simply have to run their course.  Fungal infections will not respond to antibiotics, unlike bacterial infections.  But, prescribe treatments should be followed to the letter, so another sinus infection won’t pay an unexpected visit in the very near future.

Natural Remedies for Sinus Infection

Living with frequent sinus trouble is a pain in more ways than one.  Not only does it hurt the face, it means missed time from work and frequent expensive visits to the doctor.  Without treatment, it can actually be a debilitating illness.  Fortunately, there are some natural remedies for sinus infection that just might keep that monster at bay, and bring many sufferers the relief they seek.

Natural Relief

• Flush it Away

When you go to the doctor for a sinus infection, he/she will generally prescribe a course of antibiotics.  In addition, you might be given a solution to basically flush out your sinuses a couple of times a day.  This irrigation can be found at many local drug stores over-the-counter.  But, like all pharmaceuticals, it is more expensive than it ought to be.

To save money, irrigate your sinuses, and relieve the inflammation, all you need is salt, water and an ear syringe.  Mix ¼ tsp salt with 1 cup of warm water.  Fill the small bulb syringe and literally squirt it up your nose, if you think you are on the verge of a sinus infection. It is not exactly the most pleasant sensation.  But, it should be repeated a couple of times a day, until the symptoms are gone. If caught quickly enough, it should help the mucus do its job, and save you a trip to the doctor.

• Straight from the Kitchen

Many of the ingredients for natural remedies for sinus infections can be found in the kitchen. If you are no into the culinary arts, it is still no problem.  You might have to go to the grocery store.  However, many of the ingredients will keep for quite awhile, in case you need them in the future.  One such remedy involves horseradish.

If you have ever eaten horseradish, then you might already see how this recipe might work.  You will need:
1 tsp horseradish
½ tsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
By ingesting the mixture of these 3 simple ingredients, it will loosen up the mucus and help your sinuses start to drain naturally.  Some people just swallow the mixture.  But, for some people this just isn’t palatable.  So, it can be added to a bit of rice or potato, in order to make it a little more pleasant to eat.

• Diet

Yes, there is that nasty 4-letter word.  But, what you eat may cause and extra buildup of mucus.  For example, some people have to cough, after eating ice cream.  It is because of the extra mucus that has been produced.  Unfortunately, other foods that are high in sugar can also cause sinus problems.

• Self-massage

Acupressure is the process of putting pressure on the area that is causing the pain and massaging.  When you sinuses begin to hurt or feel like they are clogging, put pressure on the sides of the nose, right above where the nostrils start to flair out.  Use pressure; massage this area.  Also the areas above the check bones and below the eyes have large sinus cavities.  Using pressure, massage these areas as well.  Done correctly, it should relieve some of the discomfort and help loosen up some of the mucus, so it will drain out and take the germs along for the ride.

• Warm compress

Another one of the natural remedies for sinus infection is the warm compress with a special added ingredient.  If you don’t happen to have one in your vegetable bin, go buy a piece of ginger root.  Grate about ¼ cup and add it to boiling water.  Go ahead and turn the heat down, letting it simmer for about 15 minutes.

Strain away the ginger pieces.  Then, take a cloth and drench it in the remaining warm water solution.  Put the compress over your nose and checks and relax.  It should help your sinuses to drain, taking germs and pollutants out of your system and hopefully eliminating the need to go to the doctor.

When your grandmother or great-grandmother got sick, they couldn’t rush to the doctor for antibiotics every time their sinuses hurt.  They had to come up with natural remedies for sinus infection.  These are a few examples of using what you already have around the house, and in the kitchen, to help the body get rid of mucus, before it can harbor the germs for a full-blown infection. If you pay attention, and can treat sinus problems early, not only will you get quick relief, but you have a good chance of preventing the need for antibiotics and that dreaded trip to the doctor.  You will regain control of your sinuses; they will no longer control you.

Maxillary Sinus Infection

If you are suffering from a maxillary sinus infection, you face probably aches.  If you put pressure on your cheek bones, it is likely to feel very tender and sore.  Your sinuses are made of several avenues mirrored on either side of your face.  The maxillary sinuses are the biggest area.  Thus, it can also be the source of a very bad infection that can be painful and difficult to treat.

Sinus Infection Causes

Sinus infections can seem to spring out of nowhere.  One day you are feeling fine; then, you have pain, fever, headaches, and more.  It can be a debilitating ailment that makes it very difficult to function. It is not long before you have to seek medical attention, in order to get relief from the constant discomfort and pressure.  Especially if you are prone to sinus problems, you should know what causes an infection.  It may be any of the following:

• A recent cold
• The flu
• Dental problems
• Fungus
• Deviated septum
• Enlarged turbinate

It is no wonder that a cold can result in a sinus infection.  Most people are continually blowing their noses for a week or two.  It seems like the mucus is either constantly running out of, or clogging the nose.  The sinuses can take a real beating during this illness.  The nasal membranes swell, and the nose is never really cleaned out.  It is a wonder more people don’t have sinus infections after a cold.

A lot of people think they have the flu, when it is often something that was eaten or maybe even food poisoning.  But, the real influenza is a nasty virus.  Back before modern medicine, it could be a death sentence to get the flu.  Today, there are still individuals that get really sick, are hospitalized, get infections, and die from the real flu. It is not uncommon to be diagnosed with sinus problems soon thereafter.

One of the biggest culprits of a maxillary sinus infection is dental problems.  A quick look at the skull and it is not hard to see why infected teeth or gums can cause problems with the sinuses.  It is not far for dental disease to migrate to the sinus cavities.  In fact, it is actually one of the main causes of this type of sinus problem.

It is very important to maintain good dental hygiene.  Also, if you are an individual that is prone to sinus infections, it might be time to visit the dentist. Antibiotics may ease the symptoms; but, the source of the infection still remains.  Until it is gone, the sinuses are always going to be a target for pain and discomfort.
Fungus can also be a source for maxillary sinus infection.  You may not even be aware that aspergillus fungus is present in your home.  It might be necessary to deep clean your home and scrub areas that typically grow fungus, to make sure there is none present.  It is also a good idea to have someone who makes a business out of killing fungus to come into your home and take care of any potential problems.

Sometimes, people are more susceptible to sinus problems because of structural problems with their nasal cavities.  For example, a deviated septum can cause the sinuses not to drain properly.  The septum is that area that divides the nostrils.  If it leans one way or the other, it can result in more infections and even be the source of snoring issues.

Another structure issue is larger than normal turbinates.  The areas that separate your sinus cavities and curl like a scroll are made of cartilage.  If these scroll-like partitions are too thick, it can make it difficult for the sinuses to drain properly.  In both of these instances, plastic surgery can restructure these cavities and reshape the sinuses to work properly.

If you have ever had a sinus infection, one day of misery is enough.   In many cases, a trip to the doctor, a round of antibiotics and some rest will take care of the problem, after a bout of cold or flu.  But, when a maxillary sinus infection recurs, there may be serious issues that need to be addressed.  The biggest culprit is actually poor oral health.  Many people fail to see that a visit to the dentist is the answer to illness.  After gum or tooth infection is treated, the sinus infections also stop. Sometimes, it is actually the presence of fungus in the home or workplace.  To cure recurring sinus trouble, some individuals need surgery to correct a turbinate or a deviated septum.  The key is to figuring out what treatment is necessary, to make the pain and discomfort a thing of the past.

How to Prevent Sinus Infections

The pain and discomfort of sinus problems are quite common.  Doctors are kept busy diagnosing and treating patients for allergies and infections.  A round of antibiotics will, in many cases, cure the problem, until the next time.  But, the best medicine is to keep illness from occurring. For anyone who has ever dealt with this problem, it is important to learn how to prevent sinus infections in the first place.


1. Drink plenty of fluids - preferably water
The body needs to remain hydrated. Mucus has a purpose. As you breathe through your nose, it catches pollutants and germs that could enter your body and make you sick. However, if the mucus cannot drain properly, it can cause a sinus infection.


2. Avoid climate changes
When you're outside in the cold, the temperature causes your mucous membranes to go into overdrive. Your body is trying to warm the air, before it hits your lungs. In dry, hot climates your sinuses may get clogged up. To avoid sinus infections, it is better not to subject your body to frequent and extreme climate changes.


3. Use steam
Periodically breathing in steam will help add moisture to your nasal passages. Some people prefer to add peppermint, garlic, or herbal remedies to further aid the sinuses.


4. Avoid chlorinated water
For people with frequent sinus trouble, the local swimming pool is not a good place to hang out. Breathing in the chemicals from chlorinated water is not healthy. It can irritate the sinuses even further, especially for an individual who already has frequent sinus maladies.


5. Clean with green
When cleaning your home, use green products. Most stores now carry cleaning solutions that are chemical-free and good for the environment. They are also good for your sinuses. Especially in the winter, the home can be one of the worst places for people who have frequent sinus infections. The air does not circulate well, and they clean with products that have chemical additives. These tend to irritate the sinuses and cause them to work overtime, to capture the pollutants before they enter the body. Chemical-free cleaning solutions solves this potential cause of sinus infections.


6. No smoking
Sinus infections are another good reason to stop smoking, or quit hanging around those that do. The smoke is a pollutant. It will inevitably irritate the sinuses, causing them to work extra hard to keep the carcinogens from infiltrating your body.


7. Humidifier
Especially in the winter, when the air in the home is normally dry and stale, it is extremely helpful to have a humidifier. Today, it is not that difficult to find a humidifier that runs quietly. Although it would be beneficial to have it running around-the-clock, it is especially useful to have a healthy level of humidity in the bedroom at night.


8. Filters
Keeping clean filters on your heating and cooling systems will also help your sinuses. This is an inexpensive means of reducing the amount of pollutants that naturally occur in any living environment. In addition, if you do use a humidifier, make sure it also has a good filter.


9. In moderation
For people prone to sinus infections, it is best not to drink alcoholic beverages. Even in limited amounts, it can cause your sinus membranes to become inflamed and make you more susceptible to infection. If you must drink, do so in moderation.


10. Take a drive
If you must travel, it is better for your sinuses if you take a drive. The pressure from airplane descents can irritate your sinuses. Flying is not a good idea for people with chronic sinus problems.


11. Ice cream you scream
Dairy products have a tendency to cause mucus to thicken. You may love the ice cream; but, it may not love you back. Moderation is the key. If you suffer from chronic sinus infections, it might be a good idea to find alternative sources for calcium and other nutritional values.

Learning how to prevent sinus infections can help many people avoid the physical and financial pain of this potentially debilitating illness. While some individuals may never know the discomfort of infected and inflamed sinuses, others have chronic health issues. They just get rid of one sinus infection and they begin fighting another. Traditional antibiotics are becoming less effective, because the disease builds resistance to their healing powers. Why ride the roller coaster of sinus pain and misery, if there are ways to prevent them from occurring in the first place? Forget about having a standing order of antibiotics at your local pharmacy. Discover how to make your sinuses work for your better health and not against you.