In order to determine your treatment for sinusitis, you should have a basic understanding of what sinusitis is first.
Sinusitis is the swelling of your nasal sinuses that can be caused by a bacterial, fungal or viral infection or even other factors such as allergic reactions or environmental elements.
The sinus cavities, predominantly above your eyes and behind your cheekbones, have mucus secretions that, if blocked from draining, can grow thicker and become inflamed.
Risk Factors for Sinusitis
Your treatment for sinusitis will depend on your risk factors for this inflammatory condition. Knowing how to develop sinusitis will help in finding the treatment for your sinusitis. That being said, since infection is usually the predominant cause, it usually follows on the tail of a bad cold or even the flu.
Allergies to pollen, dust, pet dander, cigarette smoke, smog and even excessive dryness due to central air or the heat in your home, can also cause sinusitis.
Some less common risk factors of sinusitis include immune system deficiencies and even structural abnormalities in the nasal passage. Polyps, a deviated septum, tumors or even bone spurs in the sinus cavity can also be part of the problem.
Treatment For Sinusitis
Often times when the cause is a bacterial infection, doctors will prescribe a course of antibiotics as the primary treatment for sinusitis. In the rare cases that a fungal infection occurs, the course of antibiotics will be prescribed with the addition of a decongestant to help with the swelling of the nasal tissues.
An expectorant may also be prescribed to help thin the mucus secretions and at times the expectorant will be paired with antihistamines which will help with the inflammation only. When a tougher treatment for sinusitis is needed, a doctor may prescribe a nasal steroid which will work harder to reduce the swelling in the sinus cavaties as well as promoting sinus drainage.
For non-medicated options for treating sinusitis, a salt water nasal spray can help keep the nasal passages moistened while rinsing out bacteria and other irritants that may be laying claim to create an infection. In addition, an air purifier is a great way to reduce indoor allergens which helps prevent irritation to the sinus membranes causing sinusitis.
Our best advice, is during days of particularly high pollen counts or when air pollution is bad, stay indoors as much as possible. As part of your treatment for sinusitis, sleep with your head elevated to promote healing and sinus drainage and look into an immune system supplement. Of course, it goes without saying that a healthy diet, exercise, nutrition and avoiding sick people is the ultimate preventative treatment for sinusitis.
To Your Health,
Owners / Founders
DietHealthandFitness.com
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