Sinus Infection Treatment and Relief

If you have a chronically stuffy nose, you may think you have a cold that just won't go away or allergies that don't seem to respond to any medications you take. Your congestion, however, could result from swelling in the sinuses known as sinusitis, also called a sinus infection. Sinusitis can be painful and impact your daily life. With the right treatment plan, you can find relief.

The board-certified primary care providers at Beaufort Memorial can help you address your sinus conditions. Find a primary care provider accepting new patients.

What Causes Sinus Congestion?

Located in your forehead, inside your cheekbones and behind your nose, the sinuses produce mucus that filters particles and germs out of the air you breathe before it enters the body. Very small and fine hairs known as cilia then move the mucus from the sinuses to the nose, where it drains.

However, your nasal passages can swell, often due to allergies, exposure to bacteria or a virus (such as the common cold), a deviated septum, or fluctuations in air pressure and temperature. When that happens, the sinuses become blocked, mucus builds up and germs have a nice breeding ground in which to grow, leading to the development of sinusitis.

Risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing a sinus infection most often include:

• Smoking or being exposed to secondhand smoke
• Structural complications in the sinuses, such as nasal polyps
• Weakened immune system

Symptoms of a sinus infection include headache, cough, pain or pressure in the face, postnasal drip, runny nose and sore throat.

Sinus infections are divided into two categories:

• Acute sinus infections, which last 10 days to eight weeks
• Chronic sinus infections, which can last for months

Finding Sinus Relief

If your symptoms worsen or last for 10 or more days with no improvement, or a fever persists longer than three days, you should see a primary care provider. He or she will be able to offer sinus infection treatments, including:

• Antibiotics to treat bacterial infections
• Antihistamines to relieve allergies
• Nasal decongestant sprays
• Saline washes that help clear your nasal passages
• Surgery to remove nasal polyps
• Topical nasal corticosteroids to ease inflammation

You can also try natural remedies to relieve sinusitis and ease discomfort.

Take a hot shower or use a neti pot filled with a mixture of sterile water and salt or a saline solution to flush your sinuses.

By working with your primary care provider, you can find a treatment plan that will help you minimize the impact that acute and chronic sinus problems have on your daily life.