Various Ways to Reduce Sinusitis
Angela Rogers
January 17, 2008
Sinus infections can be short term ailments that are often corrected by antibiotics and over-the-counter medications. People who suffer from long term sinusitis know the pressure of sinus headaches and often dread the changing weather that accompanies a change of season. The build up behind the eyes and the nasal passages is unpleasant, but knowing how to deal with it can make it go away. In severe cases, post nasal drip may result in a hacking cough. While the cough itself is unpleasant, it is not actually harmful.
A variety of ways exist to treat the sinus build up, restore easier breathing and clear the sinus passages. Saline solutions will clean out many of the allergens and irritants that cause it, but they do not actually treat the symptoms. Over the counter nasal sprays will clear out the condition but they are not designed for long term use and can cause the symptoms to linger longer. Tablets such as Sudafed dry the passages out and relieve the pressure, but if the symptoms continue for longer than a week, the sinus sufferer should see his or her doctor.
Chronic sinusitis may be caused by allergens or simply changes of season. Often people who do not have allergies may have the condition set off by strong chemicals such as cigarette smoke, institutional grade cleaning products, or overly strong perfumes. The treatment for long term sinusitis is a simple prescription nasal inhaler that gets used twice a day. (The nose should be blown before use of products like Rhinocort or Nasonex.)
As difficult as chronic sinusitis can be to deal with, even with the hacking cough that accompanies post nasal drip, it is important to remember that the condition is not really harmful. Continual headaches can add to stress and the discomfort, but treating chronic sinusitis properly leaves the nasal passages clear and reducing stress can often cut down on the number and severity of attacks throughout the year. If the attacks do not last a week or more, simply keeping a nasal decongestant around the house will help. Moving to a more stable, preferably warmer climate may be tempting, but taking such a drastic measure is out of reach for most people. Learning to live with chronic sinusitis is a more realistic option. Either way, proper care results in freer, easier breathing of the sinus sufferer.
A variety of ways exist to treat the sinus build up, restore easier breathing and clear the sinus passages. Saline solutions will clean out many of the allergens and irritants that cause it, but they do not actually treat the symptoms. Over the counter nasal sprays will clear out the condition but they are not designed for long term use and can cause the symptoms to linger longer. Tablets such as Sudafed dry the passages out and relieve the pressure, but if the symptoms continue for longer than a week, the sinus sufferer should see his or her doctor.
Chronic sinusitis may be caused by allergens or simply changes of season. Often people who do not have allergies may have the condition set off by strong chemicals such as cigarette smoke, institutional grade cleaning products, or overly strong perfumes. The treatment for long term sinusitis is a simple prescription nasal inhaler that gets used twice a day. (The nose should be blown before use of products like Rhinocort or Nasonex.)
As difficult as chronic sinusitis can be to deal with, even with the hacking cough that accompanies post nasal drip, it is important to remember that the condition is not really harmful. Continual headaches can add to stress and the discomfort, but treating chronic sinusitis properly leaves the nasal passages clear and reducing stress can often cut down on the number and severity of attacks throughout the year. If the attacks do not last a week or more, simply keeping a nasal decongestant around the house will help. Moving to a more stable, preferably warmer climate may be tempting, but taking such a drastic measure is out of reach for most people. Learning to live with chronic sinusitis is a more realistic option. Either way, proper care results in freer, easier breathing of the sinus sufferer.
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