Breathing is a natural involuntary process of the body. There are eight hollow spaces located in the skull called the sinuses. Air passes through the nasal cavity and through the sinuses where the cilia filters the air before it enters our lungs. When the lining of the cavities are inflamed and is filled with mucus secretions, it is called sinusitis. The causative factor may be due to viral infection, bacterial infection or from allergies.

The infections can be acute or chronic. Acute infections are usually due to viral infections and it won’t last long and can easily be treated. Chronic infections occur in longer periods of time and they reoccur.  Headache, fever, clogged nose, constant sneezing, post nasal drip and pressure on the forehead or at the maxillary area are signs of sinus infections.

Instead of surgery, conservative treatment is a much preferred treatment to relieve any sinusitis symptoms depending on the severity of one’s condition. It is an alternative to surgery. It involves the use of antibiotics, decongestant, antihistamine, humidifiers, corticosteroids, sinus irrigation and some natural home remedies.

Antibiotics are used when sinusitis is caused by bacterial infection. They kill its underlying cause, depending on its effectiveness. If a particular antibiotic works in treating sinusitis then it is okay to still use that same antibiotic. The next time another sinusitis attack occurs, the medicine could be changed when this certain medicine no longer works for you. The length of time and the dosage of the antibiotic will be determined by your medical provider, when home treatments do not work. You should be careful because the wrong dosage will be detrimental to your health when not used properly.

Sinusitis usually starts in the event of rhinitis, the inflammation of the nasal membranes. Decongestants are used when there is nasal congestion. Inflammation of the mucous linings is reduced to relieve a person from nasal drip and clogged nose. Relief is temporary for nasal sprays for this causes vasoconstriction and shrinks the sinuses when the effects of the medicine wears off, one will experience a stuffier nose and a more inflamed mucous lining. When both rhinitis and sinusitis occur it is called rhinosinusitis.

Antihistamine reduces nasal pruritus or itchiness. It reduces inflammation due to allergic reaction of the mucous membranes to dust particles, pollen, pollutants and the like which results into allergic rhinitis. Humidifiers lessen the irritants which causes dryness in the throat that may lead to infection. It moistens the nasal passages and reduces mucous membrane irritation.

Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory agents used to decrease swelling in the nasal and sinus cavities. They can reduce the size of a nasal polyp, which may be a cause of the sinusitis attack. Prolonged use of this medicine is not advised for it may cause side effects like being susceptible to other infections due to decreased immune response.

A variety of home remedies for sinusitis may be used to treat acute sinusitis before one would proceed in taking any over the counter medications. Eat foods rich in vitamins A and C. These will prevent colds and boost the immune system. Have adequate rest to regain energy if one has a slight fever. Ginger tea is also great in curing nasal congestion because of its natural anti inflammatory properties, plus the steam from a warm cup of ginger tea humidifies the air passageway, giving sinus relief.

 

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