In most cases, treatment of sinusitis focuses on symptom relief. Antibiotics are used to help fight the bacteria that cause a sinus infection. Symptoms include pain in the nose, forehead or cheeks; pressure in the face; runny nose with thick yellow or green mucus; and bad breath (halitosis).축농증한의원
Symptoms of sinusitis are caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Bacterial sinusitis usually lasts a month or less; if it comes back several times a year, it’s considered “chronic.” Fungi can also cause a sinus infection and are harder to treat than viruses or bacteria.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you. They will look for tenderness in the nose and face, and check for a deviated septum — a line of tissue that divides your nostrils isn’t straight and can narrow a sinus passage. A sinus infection is more likely to happen if you have a deviated septum, asthma, a chronic cough, a low immune system, or certain eye conditions.
If the symptoms of a sinus infection don’t improve after a few days of antibiotics, you should be reexamined. A mucus culture will tell your doctor which germs are causing the infection. This will help your doctor choose the best antibiotic to treat it.
Many people with sinusitis get better with over-the-counter medications, including nasal steroids, saline nasal irrigation, oral antihistamines, and anti-leukotrienes. Over-the-counter nasal sprays that reduce congestion and inflammation may also be useful. For recurrent or persistent sinusitis, a doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription allergy medicines to reduce allergens that trigger an infection. If allergies aren’t the cause, your doctor might recommend a sinus rinse or a course of allergy shots.
Some people with recurrent or persistent sinus problems need a different approach, including surgery. Your doctor can help decide if you need surgery to relieve sinus blockage, remove bone fragments, or correct a septum that’s bent incorrectly.
You can help prevent recurrent sinus infections by practicing good hygiene. Wash your hands often, especially when touching your nose and eyes. Avoid smoke and other pollutants. Use a humidifier to moisten the air in your home and office. Drink plenty of fluids, which can thin mucus and make it easier to drain your sinuses. Apply warm compresses to the nose and forehead. Try breathing exercises, like deep breaths, to reduce congestion. If you have allergies, talk to your doctor about prescription or over-the-counter allergy medicines, and consider immunotherapy.라경찬한의원