Here it comes again: the sneezing, the headaches, the runny nose. Because of that plugged up feeling behind your cheeks, you can tell it’s likely more than a simple cold, it’s a sinus infection.
Repeated sinus infections (also known as chronic sinusitis) can be a considerable issue for those that experience them, resulting in miserable days in bed (and lots of sick days). Sinus infections are really unpleasant, and they can’t always be managed with antibiotics.
What Triggers Chronic Sinusitis?
Sinus infections can start with a virus, a fungus, or bacteria, or it can be the result of a clogged nose. That makes a sinus infection hard to treat via medication because antibiotics only work on bacterial infections, though sometimes you’ll be prescribed a steroid to help control symptoms and swelling.
This means that your immune system has to do all the work. Most of the time, that’s not a problem. But when conditions are ideal for a sinus infection, symptoms can persist.
Normally, sinus infections prosper when there’s a surplus of fluid accumulation in your sinuses. Some of the reasons why sinus infections might keep showing up include:
Nasal Polyps: Usually, these little growths in your nasal passages aren’t an issue. However, nasal polyps can block drainage from your sinuses. This extra fluid can lead to a sinus infection.
In-home heating: Sinus infections are more likely during winter. That’s partly because your in-home heating system has a tendency to dry out your air. The mucus membranes, which are your body’s first line of defense from infection, can be reduced by this dry air.
Deviated nasal septum: You may have problems draining your sinuses if you have a deviated septum. This traps fluid in the sinuses and can lead to persistent, prolonged, or more significant sinus infections.
Infections and allergies: In many instances, you get nasal congestion first and a sinus infection next. Clogged sinuses provide optimal conditions for a sinus infection to thrive. So you’re more likely to get chronic sinus infections if you are dealing with chronic respiratory infections or allergies.
Other conditions: Chronic sinus infections can also be the result of some other conditions including Cystic fibrosis, compromised immune system, and more.
We can help you determine root causes and offer a treatment plan, so if you’re going through chronic sinus infection call us.
How to Prevent Persistent Sinus Infections
In order to stop the development of a sinus infection from developing, there are some things you can do around the house. Here are a few of the most common and easiest:
- Take a warm shower with plenty of steam! If your coping with dry air, a warm shower will help replenish those mucus membranes.
- Drink a lot of water. This is for the same reason: when you’re hydrated, your mucus membranes are less likely to dry out.
- Wash surfaces and clothing regularly.This eliminates germs, on the one hand. But perhaps, more importantly, vacuuming, washing your sheets, and all that can help keep allergens away. Breathing will be much easier if there’s a minimum of dust or pet dander on your sheets. So your sinuses won’t become plugged as often.
- Frequently wash your hands. It’s good hygiene, and it can help prevent the spread of germs (for instance, cold germs) that cause infections.
- When you can, run a humidifier. The dryness of the air will be prevented in this way.
Medical Prevention For Sinus Infections
Not everyone will have a positive response to these home remedies. For some people, no matter how moist the air is, they can’t shake chronic sinus infections. A medical procedure named balloon sinuplasty is the solution for many.
Balloon sinuplasty is a procedure where a catheter is inserted into the sinuses through the nose. Then a little balloon is inserted and inflated in the sinuses to open them up more completely. Next, the balloon is deflated and taken out. This all occurs under general anesthesia, and because it’s minimally invasive, there’s much less recovery and soreness following this procedure than there would be with other surgical techniques.
Finding The Solution That’s Best For You
If you are going through persistent sinus infections, there are solutions that deliver relief, particularly via prevention. Come see us – we will be able to help you determine which therapies and treatments will be best for your symptoms and condition.
You don’t have to endure another winter filled with constant sinus infections. Call us for a consultation.