Do you feel like you have been hit by a truck and are suffering from the flu all at once? Are your eyes watering, nose running, head throbbing, and throat sore? If so, it is likely that you have a sinus infection.
However unpleasant they may be to experience, these infections are fairly common. In fact, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, about one in five people contract a sinus infection each year. These infections can be mildly irritating or quite painful depending on how much time has passed since your last infection.
Fortunately, there are several things that you can do to help ease the symptoms of a sinus infection and get back to being healthy sooner rather than later. Read on for 5 helpful tips for dealing with a sinus infection:
Stay Hydrated
If you are suffering from a sinus infection, one of the best things you can do to help speed up your healing process is to stay hydrated. Although they are not related, the two symptoms of common cold and sinus infection are mucus buildup and dehydration. When your body becomes dehydrated, it produces fewer tears and less mucus. This can lead to irritation in your nasal cavities, which can then lead to an infection. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that you are drinking eight glasses of water per day, especially during times of high humidity or flu season. This will help keep your nasal passages moist and reduce the chances of developing a sinus infection.
Use a Neti Pot
Another great way to help alleviate sinus pain and pressure is to use a neti pot. A neti pot is a small pot that looks like a teapot that has a spout on one side and a handle on the other. To use a neti pot, you pour water that has been mixed with saline or baking soda into the pot, then pour the water into one nostril and let it go into the back of the throat, then you spit it out the other nostril. This process is a great way to clear out the mucus and debris in your sinuses and can be very soothing and healing.
Take an Antibiotic
If you have had a sinus infection for more than a few days and it has not gone away, it is a good idea to see a doctor for sinus infection and consider taking an antibiotic. Although you may not know for sure what type of bacteria is causing your infection, it is likely that the infection is bacterial, as opposed to viral. If that is the case, antibiotics are the best way to fight off bacterial infections. Antibiotics do take a few days to start working, so it is important to start taking them as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed with a sinus infection.
Try Natural Remedies
There are also many natural remedies that you can try when you have a sinus infection to help ease symptoms like pain, congestion, and fluid build-up. For example, try putting a few drops of eucalyptus oil into the steam of a hot shower to help clear out your sinuses and make you feel more relaxed. You can also try drinking lots of warm fluids (like tea or broth) since that helps thin out the mucus and makes it easier to remove from your sinuses. You could also try chewing on some black pepper or cayenne pepper since those spices are known to help thin out mucus.
Get Professional Help
Finally, it is advisable to get professional help if your symptoms have not improved after one to two weeks. This is particularly true if you are experiencing pain or other symptoms that are severe. If you have been experiencing a sinus infection for a long time and the symptoms have not gone away, it is likely that you have developed an infection that has spread to your sinuses and is causing them to swell. This type of infection is referred to as acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, and if it is not treated, it can last for several weeks, even months.
If you have been suffering from a sinus infection for more than 10 days and need help getting rid of it, you can visit your doctor for sinus infection, or you can visit an urgent care clinic. When you go to see a doctor, they will likely do a nasal swab and culture to see what bacteria is causing your infection and prescribe you antibiotics. When you visit an urgent care clinic, they will likely do a nasal swab and culture as well, but they might also use a machine called a CT scan to look at your sinuses. If you have been suffering from a sinus infection for several weeks, visiting an urgent care clinic or doctor is a good idea.
Conclusion
Sinus infections are fairly common, and if you are suffering from one, there are several things that you can do to help speed up the healing process and get rid of the infection sooner rather than later. That being said, it is important to note that sinus infections are usually not serious, and they are often treatable at home without having to see a doctor. That said, if you have been suffering from an infection for more than two weeks and your symptoms are not going away, it is best to visit a doctor or urgent care clinic to get help.
