How to Manage Symptoms of a Sinus Infection

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By lunablue
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Millions of people are affected by the symptoms of a sinus infection, or sinusitis, and may not even know it. They may discount it as something else, or worse be misdiagnosed by their medical professional. It is important to know the symptoms of a sinus infection, how to help prevent future sinus infections, and get the proper treatments.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

First you must identify your symptoms and determine that you have a sinus infection. Common symptoms resemble a cold and include a headache, sore throat, mucus drainage, upset stomach (due to drainage), stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, fatigue, pressure around sinuses, fever, among others. Check out the symptom checker on WebMD (see link below in "Resources" section) or the WebMD page on the causes of sinusitis (see link below in "Resources" section) to help identify your symptoms. If you are prone to sinusitis, there are things you can do to help prevent future or more recurrent infections.
Step 2

Cool, dry air can be a factor in causing a sinus infection. Keep your home environment moist by running a humidifier. This will help larger areas of your home stay moist. For a more personal treatment, a vaporizer can be used to facilitate warm, moisture for keeping the sinus cavity open and promote the movement of impurities from your system. Sit near the steam and breathe deeply, through your nose if possible.
Step 3

Irrigation of the sinus cavity is a great way to clear out impurities, mucus, and bacteria. This is done by using an Alkalol solution or saline solution in a nasal douche or neti pot. **See the link below in "Resources" for using Alkalol in a nasal douche.** Any of these items can be purchased online or at your local pharmacy. Check the labels first to make sure there aren't any allergy instigating ingredients. Always use your solutions warm to promote relief from pain and pressure. Make sure to always thoroughly clean your wash cup or neti pot. Sinus irrigation can sometimes be more effective in treating a sinus infection than modern day drugs.
Step 4

Over-the-counter treatments

Aspirin and ibuprofen can be taken to initially treat headache pain, sinus inflammation, and fever symptoms. Many allergy and cold medications can also be used for the symptoms of a sinus infection. These can help relieve nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, and coughing.
Step 5

Prescriptions

Your doctor may prescribe medication or treatments for you. These may include nasal sprays, antihistamines, decongestants, and even antibiotics. Be sure to follow your doctor's directions and finish all medication if told to do so.