Treatment of Sinusitis
Sinusitis—also known as rhinosinusitis—is one of the most common reasons people see their doctor and get a prescription. It can lead to 73 million restricted days of activity, with direct medical costs of up to $2 billion per year in the United States alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sinus infections occur when the tissue in the sinuses swells, blocking channels that drain them. This leads to a buildup of mucus and pressure in the nose and face, and often ear pain or fullness. Most cases of sinusitis are caused by viruses or bacteria.신논현역한의원
Treatment of sinusitis varies, depending on what’s causing your symptoms. For example, an allergy may be triggering your sinusitis. If so, we can test you for allergies and prescribe appropriate antihistamines. If the infection is caused by bacteria, we’ll prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection.
The most important thing to do when you have a sinus infection is to rest. This will help reduce the swelling and relieve pain and pressure. Drink plenty of fluids, especially those with electrolytes, to stay hydrated. It is also helpful to apply a warm compress on the face or forehead to ease the pressure and to keep the sinuses moist.
Using a nasal irrigation system, such as the ones sold under the brand names Sinus Rinse or Neti Pot, is one of the most effective ways to flush out the sinuses and drain them of pus and mucus. It can be used daily or as needed.
Oral medications can be used for both acute and chronic sinusitis. A short course of antibiotics is usually enough for most patients to get well. However, it’s important to take the antibiotic as directed. Taking it less often than prescribed, or stopping it early, can cause your body to become resistant to the medication and make you more likely to have future infections.
Other treatments can include oral or nasal decongestants, a sinus rinse or steam inhalation and oral or nasal antihistamines. If you’re having a hard time getting relief from your symptoms, we can offer complementary or alternative therapies such as acupuncture and facial massage to reduce sinus pain and pressure.
A sinus CT scan may be done if the infection doesn’t respond to a course of antibiotics or if there are complications that need to be evaluated. A sinus endoscopy—which uses a thin, flexible tube with a fiber-optic light to visualize the sinuses and nasal area—may also be performed. A biopsy of a sinus tissue sample may be needed for confirmation of a diagnosis.라경찬한의원