How Antibiotics Get Rid of Chronic Sinusitis
Monday, November 28th, 2011Chronic sinusitis is not a life-threatening condition. However, suffering from it may possess a significant effect on your lifetime. Imagine not being able to focus on your work because of severe and recurring headaches. Or missing work when you’re feeling weak due to clogged nose, fever and chronic fatigue. Ought to be fact, recent surveys reveal chronic sinusitis as one of the main reasons for absenteeism from work.
Having sinusitis means that your sinuses are infected or inflamed. It is referred to as chronic since the symptoms are felt for a long period of time or continue returning. Here are the most common signs or symptoms to watch out for:
o Thick, yellow or greenish discharge
o Nasal congestion
o Reduced olfaction or taste
o Facial pain
o Coughing
o Sore throat or foul breath
o Fatigue and nausea
Chronic sinusitis is caused by a variety of reasons. Having nasal polyps or nasal tumors may cause blockage within the nose, making it prone to infection. Physical disorders like nasal deviated septum may also lead to chronic sinusitis due to poor drainage from the sinuses. Dental infections, allergies, or past and untreated acute sinusitis can also develop into chronic sinusitis.
When treating chronic sinusitis:
o Patients are often prescribed to undergo antibiotic treatment for Three to four weeks.
o Antibiotics kill the bacteria resulting in the infection and prevent its further growth.
o Medication could be taken orally, intravenously or even by using nasal spray.
Antibiotic treatment methods are generally safe and with not many negative effects. It is also very effective as reports show using appropriate antibiotic at the proper dosage cures sinusitis 90% of the time.
When undergoing antibiotic treatment, you should go ahead and take medications precisely as prescribed through the physician. Some people tend to stop taking medications as soon as they think better or the symptoms disappeared. Others go ahead and take drugs using lower dosages or otherwise taken on time. Because of this, the infection has a tendency to come back. There is also the risk of becoming immune to its healing powers if taken the wrong manner.
As with any medication, use of antibiotics may have side effects for many people. Here are a few of the usual negative effects related to its use:
o Upset stomach
o Diarrhea
o Yeast infection
o Allergy symptoms
o Inflammation of the small and large intestine
If you are experiencing any of the negative effects mentioned, contact your physician at the same time for alternative medication. Also, there are times when even a long regimen of antibiotics cannot cure chronic sinusitis. If this sounds like the case, other options for example mentioned below may be explored to handle the symptoms and improve the quality of life.
1. Try steam treatments in your own home. They help eliminate phlegm and ease nasal congestion.
2. Nasal irrigation is highly recommended to wash the nasal passages and clean out excess mucus and irritants.
3. Drink plenty of fluids to hydrate your body. Eat healthy to boost the defense mechanisms and stop infection.
4. Make changes together with your lifestyle. Exercise regularly to keep the body strong and healthy. Quit smoking and steer clear of alcohol because these habits result in the sinus vulnerable to infection.
5. Go to your doctor and ask about surgical treatments to improve the drainage in the sinus. Endoscopic surgery might be a choice remove obstruction in the nasal passages.