Sinus Infection Treatment and Remedy

If you are suffering from sinusitis then it is essential for you know the sinus infection treatment remedies available.

Sinus infection antibiotics are medicines meant to fight bacterial infections. Since most sinus infections are caused by bacteria, it is quite a common practice for doctors to prescribe antibiotics for its treatment.

The type of antibiotics prescribed by the doctor, however, depends on the type of bacterial sinus infection you are suffering from.

Before using any antibiotic you have to keep in mind the various drug allergies and their reactions. A bacterial growth generally occurs in the dark, warm, moist areas of your sinus cavity.

To determine the type of antibiotic to be used, doctors may require you to undergo a blood test or a swab test on the nasal discharge. Sinus infection treatment antibiotics such as Amoxicillin® and Klacid® are commonly used for treatment. Diflucan® is an antifungal antibiotic that is rarely used to treat sinus infections caused by fungus.

Decongestants: These medicines are available as tablet, syrup or nasal spray. They help you in unblocking the openings of the sinuses and relieve you from the sinus infection symptoms temporary. This drug can help thin out sinus infection mucus.

Common over the counter decongestants include Sudafed® and Dimetapp®. A combination of decongestant/antihistamine medicines is available at any pharmacy.

However you should always read the supplementary notes carefully for contraindications and consult your doctor before using any. NASONEX® is also highly recommended for use by ENT specialists for sinus infection treatment because they are very effective. It contains anti-inflammatory corticosteroids. For best results, you have to use it for a period of between 2-4 weeks.

Nasal decongestants (sprays) are good for sinus infection treatment but they should be used for only 2-3 days. Remember, an overdose can cause a rebound.

This means instead of getting better, the symptoms become aggravated and you feel worse off. An overuse of this drug can cause problems like high blood pressure, anxiety and insomnia. It is always good advice to consult the doctor before using any of these medicines.

Antihistamines: Claritin® (loratadine), Chlor-Trimeton® (chlorpheniramine), Benadryl® (diphenhydramine). These are the names of certain types of antihistamines. Antihistamines are the drugs used for sinus infection treatment when the cause is allergy. These are to counter the effect of histamine, the natural chemical produced by your body to fight allergy.

It is in the form of tablets and syrup and can reduce the symptoms of sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, and mucus production. Some newer classes of prescription antihistamines that do not cause drowsiness include: Clarinex® (desloratadine), Allergra® (fexofenadine), Zyrtec® (cetirizine).

Pain relievers: You can use a pain reliever. These are common OTC medicine and are generally safe to use for all sorts of ailments, including sinus infection. After consulting your doctor, you may use stronger prescribed drugs like Tylenol®(acetaminophen), Aspirin® or Ibuprofen®.

Surgical methods for sinus infection treatment: Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) has become the accepted standard approach and technique when surgical treatment of sinusitis is indicated. Surgery for sinus infection treatment should only be considered when other medical treatments have failed.

A relatively new procedure known as Balloon Sinuplasty is also gaining popularity.

Another popular surgical procedure recommended by ENT specialists today is called “Ablation of the turbinates“. For people with enlarged turbinates which often cause them to have a blocked and stuffy nose, parts of their turbinates are burnt off thermally using radio frequency volumetric tissue reduction technique.

Thus there are various sinus infection treatment options available for you but do remember to consult your doctor before starting on any one of them. Check out also if there is a best antibiotic for sinus infection.

Many people seem to be asking "Is a sinus infection contagious?". The answer is a definite no.

Recently, there are many reported cases of people suffering from fungal sinus infection. For fungal sinus infection treatment, there is a need for anti-fungal medicines. But if the case is severe enough where fungal balls are present, surgery seems to be the best alternative.