28Aug/11Off
How can I get rid of a chronic sinus infection?
I have had a sinus infection 4 times so far in 2006. Obviously the meds I get from the doctor can't help. It goes away and comes back a few weeks later. Any suggestions on how I can kill this thing myself?
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
I don’t know where you live but we have had a dry year and a half in Texas and it is killer on sinuses. All the things I have seen others post are good ideas but one thing they don’t say is that if you have an infection and you keep sticking the same saline nozzle up your nose you will never get rid of it. Just get it close and spray and take the tip off and soak it in microwave hot water to clean it and yes they do come off and snaps right back on. What I did was got a humidifier and it runs at night when I sleep to keep the moisture level up. I bet if you get a humidity meter and check yours in the house it is less then 35 to 40 percent and that’s hard on the old snozz. Get a 24 hour allergy relief medicine like Loratadine (generic works just as good at CVS or any discount pharmacy store.) it is a life saver and don’t forget to take it. it relieves sneezing runny nose itchy watery eyes itchy throat or nose and more. the saline sprays are good but always clean the tip and do not actually stick it in your nose. people tend to release it in there nose too and it just sucks the crap right back in the bottle.
Good Luck!!
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
Sounds kind of gross, but you can try cleaning your nose with salt water. You can get the pot to mix the salt water in and directions at most health food stores.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
I had the same problem (5 in 5.5 months) …I stopped drinking alcohol mostly and I have not gotten one since.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
Lots and lots of irrigation- either saline nasal sprays or the ‘teapot’ method. Use decongestants for the stuffiness, breathe right strips, vicks in steam, sudafed vapor plug, etc. I also use a lot of heat. I put a moist handtowel in the microwave for about 45 seconds and then put it over my face. This works great for the sinus pain!! Good luck!!
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
I’ve had this too, it’s a hard one to lose. Stay hydrated and follow the doctor’s recommendations to a tee. With medication and lifestyle care you should get over it. To keep from getting it back, don’t touch anything you don’t need. Wash your hands before and afterward when you touch things like a doorknob or a light switch, anything that could be a carrier. You’ll feel psychotic, but you’ll get over it.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
To keep from getting stuffed up and getting the infections, check out this site. http://www.notmilk.com
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
might see an ear, nose ,and throat specialists
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
You may have allergies. I used to get sinus infections as often as you do, but not anymore. I found out I have a lot of allergies and take a pill a day. Only one infection a year since then.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
If you finish the antibiotics everytime, and the infections still come back, it could be allergies. An allergy pill may help.
I had the same problem, chronic sinus infections, and I tried everything. I eventually went to an ear,nose and throat doctor and had a CT-Scan done. Turns out my sinuses were narrow AND blocked, no nothing was draining right.
I had a minor operation done and yee-haw WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!
So, if you are finding the meds just don’t cut it, I would try seeing the ENT specialist. You never know. You may not need something so drastic as an operation but he may know a way to help you that a regular doctor doesn’t.
Good luck!
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
What are you washing your face with?People don’t realize this and I didn’t either until one day,I had the same problem you are having right now.I even spent several hundred dollars at an allergy specialist office trying to figure it out.The medications didn’t work.I read some books on allergies and found that it could be the soap I was putting on my face.At that time it was anti-bacterial soap.I found out that the soap was causing my problems.If you are using anti-bacterial soap on your face,stop using it.If you are using it in the shower,stop using it and switch to a mild soap like Ivory and see what happens.Take the other soaps you are using now out of the bathroom and store them somewhere until you see if that is what is causing your problem.Even some facial cleansers irritate my sinus and my skin.Never use soap on your face,just the most mild cleansers you can find.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
I feel your pain, Girl! I have had the same problem for twenty years and I have never had any help from a doctor. It’s like they can’t seem to diagnose the ailment.It hits like a ton of bricks and hurts like a knife through the scull for about a month at a time, right? I used to get them at least once every year but at different times; usually after fighting a cold.I have not had one for three years now and I’ll tell you why I think that is. I never sleep for more than four hours at a time now. I get up and read or watch TV for at least half an hour before going back to bed. I really think that has helped because the infection doesn’t get too long a chance to settle in there. Do this all the time …. even when you are well so it can’t come back.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
My recommendation is this, find a local Bee Master and purchase his honey that is personally produced in your area. Where I am from (Sacramento, CA) would be honey from star thistle and oak trees for example. Shelf honey from major local super markets today will not do. Unfortunatly most of the honey marketed today are from Canada and China. You may want to consider honey as part of your daily diet. By doing so; you may soon acclimate to airborn pollens that are native to your area. I promise you will experience soon better health.
Now its important that you know, I don’t hug trees and I’m not a throw back hippie nor an environmentalist. I’m just a guy who had at one time a like condition.
Good Luck!
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
I had chronic sinusitis from age 2 to 21. I started really watching what I was eating. Eat natural foods. Drink a lot of water. Take a daily multi-vitamin. Use a saline spray.
Surgery is also an option if you’re desperate.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
I sympathise, in the past I have had the same problem. I haven’t had any problems with sinus for several years, so I thought I’d share with you what helped for me.
To begin with, I think there is often an emotional or psychological reason why we get ill, especially when it recurs. It might help to send yourself positive affirmations – such as "I am breathing in good air and I feel good about my life…" (affirmations work best if you write them yourself, that was just a suggestion)
Breathing exercises to keep your nose clear (like the yoga breathing "pranayama", breathing through each nostril in turn, putting your thumb gently on the other nostril. Obviously you can’t do this when in the midst of a sinus infection, but you can in between.
Inhalations – things like eucalyptus or olbas oil in an oil burner, with a candle, can be soothing and help keep airways clear.
Boost your immune system, to keep infections at bay. Sinus infections usually start with a cold, and if you don’t get a cold, its unlikely that you’ll get a sinus infection. Take some vitamins, eg, sustained release Vit C and Echinacea.
Think positive – it really helps. You CAN make sure that this problem doesn’t keep recurring. I did !! Good luck.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
THE BEST THING FOR U TO DO IS TO GO SEE A DOCTOR OR A SPECIALIST
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
take lots of Vitamen C try Salein Nasle Spray i use it and it works great, you can get it at most stores.Sorry about your sinus infections,:( Hope this helps
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
I found a great site you may need to go the dentist if you have a bad tooth it can cause it or you may have something wrong witht the bones in your nose and need a nose job.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
The only way I know of getting rid of it, is going to the doctor and getting medication.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
Sinus infections can be caused by virus, bacteria or fungi. Allergic reaction to certain elements such as dust, animal dander, pollen, molds and air pollution is also a factor that contributes to sinus problem. In sinus infection the sinuses get clogged due to the failure of the cilia to filter the air that enters the body. The excessive unfiltered air that passes through the nasal passage causes clogging in the sinuses wherein the virus, bacteria, or fungi builds up and causes sinus infection.
Some sinus disorders cannot be prevented however there are certain things that can be done in order to lessen the degree of severity and number of the attacks. Some of the sinus infection home remedy is to have a humidifier which can be a helpful aid in providing relief, air conditioning can also help supply an even temperature and electrostatic filters affixed to the heating and air conditioning unit can help take away allergens from the air. Also avoid cigarette smoke and other air pollutants as this can cause inflammation of your nasal passages. You can also consult your doctor for some sinus infection treatment. You can undergo some tests in order to whether you have an allergy to some materials so that you can take steps from getting exposed to them. These tips can really help reduce the severity and number of attacks of sinus infection.
A particular sinus infection problem can be alleviated or given relief through proper knowledge about all of them. Because once you know about the disease you can take the necessary steps in order to reduce the severity and number of attacks of the sinus problem. You can also use alternative medicine like decongestants, nasal sprays, inhalers, antibiotics to help give you sinus relief. But for long-term relief you must know the root cause of the disease so that you can avoid exposure to elements that results to that particular condition.
Sinus infection relief can be gained through various medicines and medicinal paraphernalia. There are decongestants which can really help diminish congestion in the nasal passage and sinus cavities. Appropriate antibiotics would be a very big help in controlling bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Pain relievers also help a lot to lessen pain.
There are various sinus supplies that are helpful in relieving congestion and blockage of the sinuses. Nasal sprays can help reduce the swelling of the lining in the sinus cavities. There are also nasal wash and humidifiers that helps soothe irritated nasal passages. There are also some kits that are intended as preventive therapy and for natural routine in order to facilitate the reduction of nasal swelling enhance the ciliary flow and cleanse the sinus passages of bacteria containing mucus and are suitable both for children and adults. It is also advantageous to use drug-free solutions for sinus relief as this can help clean and moisturize the nasal passages.
These over the counter sinus relief remedies can only help on a short term basis. For a long-term sinus relief you really have to know the root cause so that you can take that extra precaution when dealing with the elements that you know causes your sinus problem or if possible avoid coming in contact with that substance.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
BTW, are you a Type A blood type? If so, you must avoid dairy products, they cause your mucous membranes to become overactive and can lead to chronic infections. This is according to the Eat Right For Your Type Diet by Dr. D’Adamo.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
There are a lot of good answers on here. I have had two bad sinus infections in the past four years. The first time I started sleeping more, avoided stress, cut way back on sugar and white flour, got out in the sunshine more, and it eventually cleared up. The second time I was prescribed antibiotics, but that messed other things up. If that is what you have been taking already, take acidophilus after that to get your digestive system working on a normal basis again. I didn’t do as good of a job avoiding white flour the second time, and it took longer to feel good again. Even crackers are going to be too much white flour for a while after taking antibiotics. If you can, find out if where you live has a high degree of mold, dust, and mildew. Clean out everything you suspect has hidden mold or where there has been water damage of any kind. Replace the grouting around bathroom fixtures, tubs, and showers. Cut back on sugar, white flour, and dairy products. Sometimes you have a high degree of yeast in your body, and it contributes to sinus infections. Stay away from cigarette smoke or other pollutions. Also stay away from other allergens as much as you can. Try taking no-odor garlic and don’t ignore taking vitamins.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
for all sinus sufferers try "Jal Neti" in yoga. You need to learn it from a proper yoga instructor. Once you start doing it regularly u’ll never get sinus problems. Search on net for more infoon jal neti.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
If it is so often you may think surgery of sinus dilatation if the problem is with your maxillary sinuses (right at cheeks). Or you choose to prevent yourself from predisposing reasons of sinusitis. First try your face not to be exposed to wind esp cold ones. Keep your nasal cavity clean as possible as and keep open your nasal airway.
If the color of your sneeze is greenish – dark yellowish this means there is an infection caused by a bacteria or virus mostly Influenza or Streptococcus. See your doctor. Probably he/she will prescribe some antibiotic (e.g. Augmentin) and decongestant (to make your nasal cavity open e.g. sudafed). But the color of your sneeze is transparent or white than this means you have allergy against something. So see your doctor again and he/she will prescribe an anti-histaminic but he/she may want to make skin prick test or something like that to determine what type of allergy you have against.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
Does anybody else find this odd, I too have this same problem, my docs keep putting me on different steroid packets that put me in an aweful mood. I have never had this problem before this year, i mean occasionally sure, but i also have had at least one a month all year, usually they are back to back though. What i am going to do is see an allergy specialist and then go from there, if you know of one in your area it might be a good idea to try it out. Good Luck I know how miserable you must be, I feel your pain!!!!
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
How long is the dr. treating the infection. Sinus infections often need 2-3 weeks of daily antibiotics to completely clear it up.
Quit smoking if you do.
Get saline spray over the counter and use it several times a day.
Cup hands together and run warn water into them – then sniff it up your notrils to cleanse them. Sounds awful but it sure works.
Hope these ideas help.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
Take a lot of vitamin C and eat a well balanced diet for starters. Get plenty of excercise. Do the warm salt water thing that somebody before suggested and do it daily atleast. Complete all the antibiotics that the doc prescribes you. Oh yea, and don’t smoke. If that doesn’t work you may have some sort of obstruction that may need to be corrected surgically.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
i dunno
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
It could be an allergy or an infection. The point in favor of an allergy is the seasonal occurrence or when the symptoms are associated with an environ agent such as dust , pollen , pollution. Another differentiating feature is the colour of discharge which is yellow|green in infection and white in case of an allergy. However, sometimes and infection might superimpose the allergic reaction making the diagnosis difficult. Allergy also manifests as different symptoms – watering of eyes , difficulty in breathing , cough etc. Treatment is palliative, not curative – use antihistamines – ceterizine or any of its congener drug with some other decongestant drug.
Recurrence of an "infection" is usually due to incomplete removal of the offending organism because of inadequate treatment , or certain conditions that favor the growth of microbes.
It is possible that you don’t take the full course of treatment. Usually , 7 days of treatment are required.The choice of drug depends on the prevalent bacterial strains and their resistance profile and sensitivity to drug .It could be amoxicillin | erythromycin |azithromycin(3 days).
Secondly , it could be possible that u have some anatomical variation that predisposes you to infections. One of the commonest abnormality is Deviated Nasal Septum (involves a deviation of the partition of the nasal cavity so that one side remains poorly aerated and thereby make conditions fertile for the growth of infective organism).The bad news is that this condition can’t be treated medically ; needs surgical correction(septoplasty and get it done from a good surgeon only else the complication can be disfiguring!).
Thirdly, you might be living in an unhealthy environment – ppl around your might be carriers of the infection .
Lastly, if none of the above seems true , then the fault might lie in the immune system – it might be dysfunctional , this isn’t common though.
Hope this helps
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
you need to squirt salt water up your nose. you can buy it in a spray. It is not that bad. I suffer from sinus infections. so does my sister she had been suppering for years.
if you are prone to them…not much you can do. you will always get one after a cold. find the spray in a drug store.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
I hope you stick to the end and read this one, because I’ve gone through the same chronic thing and felt miserable for years…and guess what? The Ear/Nose/Throat specialist who finally checked me out said it was a combination of worsening migraines (yes, I get those, too) and ACID REFLUX DISEASE mimicking sinusitis. There is new AMA research on this. Now I’m on Nexium and working on the migraine issue…and NO SINUSITIS!!!! Amazing but true. Good Luck.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
You must have some problem where the sinuses do not fully drain, and junk just sitting up there causes infections to recur, or maybe even get infectinos w/ new bacteria.
OR your doctor is not giving you a high enough does of the antibiotics to wipe out the bacteria, so it can mutate and return.
Either way, I’d got to an Ear, Nose, & Throat (ENT) specialist and tell them your history. They may find a deviated septum in your nose, or clogged sinus, or scar tissue, or who knows what that needs to be removed so your sinuses can property drain and function. Yes, that would require surgery, but when you’re sick of having sinus infections, that’s about the only alternative.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
This has been my problem also and here is what I found. I also started getting ear infections. I went to an ear nose and throat specialist and they found there is something in my sinuses they called pollups or something. These need to be removed. This has bothered me for a few years and they just finally got around to sending me to a specialist and he found the problem in about 30 seconds. Tell your doctor you want to see a specialist
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
Sometimes it’s a matter of getting the right antibiotic and taking it for several weeks.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
sudafed
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
Steam you face with garlic boiled water. It works for me so you can try.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
INHALATION of STEAM which has iodine and benzene tenture in it. loads of water and liquids to drink, HOT LIQUIDS and take non-sedating anti-allergy SENERGY OD or any drug with loradine 10milligram.
if you want something herbal then there is this latest medicine named SINUPRET and you will be amazed at its results..i personally used it and I am a medical student, had the load of studies and then with a bad sinus,God help…and this SINUPRET has really some magic in it..its only got herbs and the best medicine ever!
take 2 daily…dont worry this is not an overdose, actually each small tablet has a very small quantity of the ingredients thats why we recommend 2 tablets. let me know how you feel ok please.
ucruch@gmail.com
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
take respirdal
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
i know you got alot of answers but i finally went in and had them scrap out my sinsus it was major but i felt great and ya know i thought i could smell but it got better alot better it has been like 4 years and i am thinking of going back and after my surgery i clean my sinsuses with sea salt water and gylercin once a week.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
i have them too. i need to get sinus surgery but am holding off. talk to your doc about it. good luck. sorry to know you are suffering too.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
Your diet is important. you should eliminate the following:
1. Dairy products – Chocolate, ice cream, cheese etc.
2. all alcoholic products.
3. all food products with caffeine
I use supplements like cod liver oil and centrum to maintain a healthy immune system
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
Ocean Nasal Spray!! It rocks and helps with allergies too! You can find it at most retail shops like CVS, Rite Aide, Longs, etc.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
I have been using Saline Solution. Try steaming your head over a bowl of hot water. Also a vaporizer may help too.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
Go to the health food store and get grapefruit nasal spray. It works great for me and it is natural. Otherwise, if it is real bad you will need to take antibiotics.
Main thing is keep your sinus passages clear, stuffed up sinuses will lead to infection for people prone to sinus infections!
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
Z-pack! ask your doctor to prescribe you a zpack (steroids) and nasonex! This is a wonder drug. It is the ONLY thing that worked for me and kept me from having to have sinus surgery!
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
Mabey you should try a different doctor because different doctors say different things sometimes
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
look first you must take all medication! if not your nose will never heal. also go to the doctors as soon as your medication is goneto see if the actual infection is gone. because if you do not doit this way and wait til you get symptoms again your waiting too long and it is useless to buy medicine over and because sometimes thing like requrie a good thrity day dose of good antibiotics!
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
get antibiotics and DONT STOP TAKING THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if you do, youll have a bacteria thats been exposed to it, and also immune.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
I used to have Sinus Infections really bad for years. The doctors had no problem with giving me meds for this problem. Seems like with every appointment he would change the meds. Said the previous one wasn’t working.
Finally, after 4 yrs of continous infections, a nurse friend solved the problem. She took away all the Dr’s meds and the OTC meds in the house and made me suffer through the fever and aches and pains for almost 2 weeks. It took this long for my body to start fighting it on its own. 14 days later the infection was gone, and I’ve haven’t had another infection since.
I still get the mild allergy symptoms of stuffy nose etc., but no infections. Most people claim the have sinus infections when their nose is stuffed up. This is not an Infection. An infection is a miserable experience. The pressure that makes you think your head will explode any second. The severe headaches (simular to serious Migrains). The dizziness. I had to plan each head movement. A sudden, quick movement, would cause me to, sometimes, pass out. The overall pain was so severe, I would consider killing myself on a daily basis.
My Nurse friend told me the meds mainly suppressed the the body natural immune system. By stopping the Immune system from working, some to the bad symptoms would ease, somewhat. By letting my natural Immune system take over and fight it, I have a natural defense against further infections.
I still had some problems for a couple of years after the Infection was cleared up. Bloody nose on a regular basis was the main problem. This was due to all the meds I took over the years. It took a couple of years for my body to repair all the damage caused by the meds and infection.
This is how, with help, I got over my infections.
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
EAT FRESH at subway
August 28th, 2011 - 22:15
I recently have been having the same problem, but I have found that just drinking a lot of water (and less coffee) has helped tremendously. My doctor also recommended the salt water solution. I use Ocean Saline Nasal Spray. Also, as others have recommended try eater better, increase fruits and vegetables. I’ve seen the most improvement since; and most importantly, rest. Be sure to slow it down, and take it easy, you might be under a lot of stress, and that contributes greatly to infections, and other illnesses.
Good luck, hope you feel better!