subject: Battling Chronic Sinus Infection [print this page] Just imagine yourself suffering from sinus infection symptoms constantly. Would you still be able to live your life normally? Can you deal with frequent headaches, blocked nose and facial pains? Okay, stop imagining. Turn your attention instead to learning more about chronic sinus infection, which is actually a common condition that is easily resolved.
Acute or Chronic Sinus Infection?
A visit to your doctor can help you determine whether you have acute or chronic sinus infection. Acute sinus infection is the type that is quickly dealt with using home remedies and nonprescription medication. Chronic sinus infection, on the other hand, is the type whose symptoms may stay with you for a long time, not immediately responsive to treatment. Both types of sinus infections manifest the same set of symptoms. They mainly differ in duration, and the developments or aggravations that can result from the infection. They can also differ in the cause of the infection. Acute or short-term sinus infection can be caused by viruses, and usually resolves on its own after a few weeks. In contrast, fungi and bacteria can infect the sinuses for quite awhile. Symptoms may come and go for as long as three months or more, making the condition chronic.
Battling the Symptoms and the Infection
There are a lot of ways that you can battle your chronic sinus infection. You can choose to focus on the various symptoms that bother you time and again. Here, the ways will be similar with how you can deal with acute sinus infections. Headaches can be assuaged with the use of pain relievers. Nasal congestion will lessen with saline irrigation. Steam treatments keep the mucus loose for better drainage. Maintaining a clean environment can prevent your symptoms from becoming worse. Proper eating, as well as drinking lots of liquid will keep your immune system nourished and able to fight back the onset of chronic sinus infection symptoms.
Another way to face the battle with chronic sinus infection is by targeting the cause of the infection. As mentioned above, fungi and bacteria are some of the causes that can stay trapped in the sinuses and nearby nasal areas. Fungi can be fought with anti fungal medications. Bacteria can be eliminated with the administration of antibiotics. Nasal sprays are helpful in bringing these medications deep into the sinuses, where the infectious organisms are located. Other tools include nebulizers or aerosolizing devices. These tools are used for people suffering from chronic sinus infection, because they are effective in distributing a fine mist of the medication needed to get rid of what is causing your infection. Doctors even recommend these as part of the pre and post sinus surgery care for those who had to have surgery done for their infections. You just have follow the doctors instructions faithfully. Taking the medication the wrong way can only lead to higher expenses or even worsen your condition.
