How to Prevent Chronic Sinusitis

The effort to prevent chronic sinusitis quite often seems futile. It may take months to get this condition under control. This makes it most important to prevent the reoccurrence of sinusitis. Dedication to a regimen of medication and lifestyle changes may be required to reduce the return of symptoms.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Air filtering system with HEPA

Take Steps to Prevent Chronic Sinusitis

1. Determine the source of sinusitis if possible. A visit with an allergy specialist may be required to determine if there are specific allergens that cause the sinusitis.
2. Maintain regular visits with the dentist. An abscess or infection in a tooth, if left untreated, can break through to the sinus cavities setting up a bacterial infection. This can lead to chronic sinusitis.
3. Treat upper respiratory infections aggressively to prevent the illness developing into chronic sinusitis. This is especially important for individuals with a history of chronic problems with sinus infection.
4. Use in-home air filtering systems with HEPA filters or a filtration that captures particles as small as 0.3 microns. The addition of an activated carbon filter is essential for removing odors and chemicals.
5. Take preventive allergy medications as directed by your doctor to reduce the frequency and severity of nasal congestion.

Understand the Terms of Sinusitis

6. Find "acute" to be the sudden onset of an illness that lasts for a short time. Sinusitis resulting from a sudden exposure to pollutants or allergens is acute rather than chronic.
7. Learn that an allergy is the improper reaction of the body's immune system to a perceived pathogen. People with allergies often suffer from chronic sinusitis.
8. Understand that an antibiotic is a drug used when chronic sinusitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotic therapy.
9. Expect antihistamines to be effective in blocking the action of histamine during an allergic reaction to allergens.
10. Learn that "cavities" can refer to the holes (sinuses) for air and mucous to pass through. Sinus cavities are small openings in the facial bones that are lined with mucous-secreting cells.
11. Find that hay fever is often associated with chronic sinusitis.
12. Realize that inflammation of the mucous membranes associated with sinusitis is swelling as a result of the immune response. This can cause breathing difficulties for chronic sinusitis patients.
13. Know that an obstruction can be referring to a physical condition such as a deviated septum or a condition caused by congestion. Either can be a source of pain for sinusitis sufferers.

Tips & Warnings

• Serious complications can arise if sinus infection is not properly treated.

Who Can Help: