Sinusitis, or sinus infection, occurs when mucus builds up in the sinuses that lead to the nasal cavity and causes irritation and inflammation. Symptoms of sinusitis may include nasal discharge, postnatal drip, facial pain, blocked or runny nose, sore throat, cough, tenderness and swelling and more.
Sinus infections are a leading health complaint in physician visits in the United States, with up to 73 million restricted activity days in sinusitis patients in one year.
Let’s look at a couple of treatments you can consider for your sinusitis that will get you back to strolling through Lakeside Park with ease including:
- Home remedies and over-the-counter medications
- Surgical remedies
Home Remedy Options
There are several home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) treatment options available to you, including:
- Rest. Resting allows your body to reset and take care of itself. Sleep with your head and shoulder raised on a pillow to relieve pressure.
- Warm compresses. Applying a warm compress to the affected area will help relieve swelling and pressure. You can make your own warm compress by filling a clean sock with dry rice and microwaving it in 15-second increments until warm or by microwaving a wet towel for about two minutes and placing it in a back to hold over your sinuses. Use caution with these methods. The compress should never be hot or painful.
- Steaming. Inhaling warm steam from a shower, face steamer or hot water bowl can help clear your sinuses.
- Nasal irrigation. You can irrigate your sinuses using a sterile neti pot filled with bottled water and saline solution.
- Decongestants. Decongestants come in tablets or sprays and can be used for up to three days. Keep in mind that this is not a permanent fix.
- Nasal Corticosteroids. You can spray OTC nasal corticosteroids in your nose to reduce nasal and sinus inflammation.
Your ENT specialist can advise you on these options and help recommend the best treatment path.
Surgical Treatment Options
For cases of chronic sinusitis where home remedies and OTC medications have been ineffective, you may consider some surgical options including:
- Balloon Sinuplasty. Balloon sinuplasty involves inflating a balloon in the nasal cavity to remove the obstruction and unblock the sinuses. A study reviewing the mechanics and effectiveness of balloon sinuplasty found symptom improvement in 85% of patients for the first week.
- Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS). FESS involves using an endoscope and other tools to remove the sinus blockage. Studies following patients for an average of 18 months after FESS have found a success rate of 80-90%.
Surgical options are appropriate where sinus infection symptoms last longer than 12 weeks and medical treatment has been unsuccessful.
For questions regarding the right sinusitis treatment for you, contact Ear, Nose & Throat Associates today to speak with an ear, nose and throat specialist.