Alcohol Abuse Advice

How To Treat Sinus Infections And Their Symptoms

Millions of people in the United States alone suffer from a condition called sinus infection. Sinus infections occur when foreign particles disturb the sinuses – the spaces around the bones around the nose and eyes. When the sinuses are infected, they become swollen. The swelling then causes facial pain and other symptoms involving the nose, eyes, and throat.

Possible Causes

Sinus infections can be caused by a number of irritants. Your sinuses may react to an allergen such as dust or pollen, and this may manifest into a full-blown infection. A good way to prevent your condition from worsening is to treat the symptoms as soon as you experience them. This may help you draw the line between an allergic reaction and a more serious infection. Other causes of sinus infections may be bacteria, fungi, or viruses. You are more susceptible to develop an infection after you have suffered a cold. Therefore, the same logic applies. Treat the symptoms of your common cold as soon as possible in order to prevent a more serious condition from manifesting.

Common Symptoms

Do you have a runny nose? Are you experiencing pain around your nose, cheeks, and/or eyes? Do you have a headache or a cough, or both? If you are suffering from one of these, a combination of these, or possibly all of these, then you may be suffering the symptoms of sinus infections.  Some other common symptoms include:

-sneezing

-sore throat

-bad breath

Treatment

Fortunately, the treatments for the symptoms that sinus infections cause are relatively easy. Over-the-counter medication such as decongestants helps with the sneezing, coughing, and runny nose. Ibuprofen relieves headaches and the uncomfortable pressure you may be feeling in your face. Aside from nonprescription medication, you can use simple home remedies to help relieve your symptoms. Simply drinking more fluids, believe it or not, can help you. Fluids help clear out excess mucous in your sinus passages. You will no longer have a runny nose, and your sore throat will feel better as well. Nasal sprays are also a good way to clear out sinus infections. Nebulizers administer a small dose of medication into your nasal passages, directly towards the source of the infection.

Prevention

Now that you have information about how to tell what sinus infections are, whether you are suffering from them, and what can cause them, here are some useful tips in avoiding them from happening again:

-Wash your hands often. It minimizes the risk that any bacterium, virus, or fungus that you might have touched or gotten into contact with will make it into your body and cause infection.

-Stay hydrated. When your bodily fluids are working regularly, they help your immune system to fight off any infection.

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