Table of contents:
- Treatment options for sinusitis
- Medical drugs
- 1. Saline nasal irrigation
- 2. Corticosteroids
- 3. Decongestants
- 4. Pain relievers
- 5. Antibiotics
- 6. Immunotherapy
- Sinusitis surgery
- Other sinusitis treatments
- 1. Massage the face
- 2. Gurah sinusitis
- 3. Compress warm water
Experiencing a constant nasal congestion due to sinusitis certainly makes you uncomfortable. Of course, you can't breathe easily because the airflow is blocked by inflamed sinus tissue. Fortunately, there are now various treatment and therapy options available to treat sinusitis, which will be discussed in depth in this article.
Treatment options for sinusitis
Sinuses are inflammation and swelling that occurs in the sinuses, which are the cavities that are located around the forehead, nasal bones, cheekbones, and eyes.
Inflammation of the sinuses is usually caused by bacterial and viral infections. Several health conditions, such as allergies, colds, and the presence of nasal polyps can also cause sinusitis.
Well, sinusitis itself is divided into 2 types, namely acute and chronic sinusitis. Acute sinusitis usually takes less time to heal, while symptoms of chronic sinusitis can last more than 12 weeks.
Some people may wonder whether sinusitis can heal completely, especially chronic sinus infections. The answer, sinusitis can be cured with the right treatment.
Treatment and therapy options for treating sinusitis are very diverse. You will be given treatment according to the severity and cause of your sinusitis. Before determining the type of treatment, you must first be examined by a doctor so that the cause of your sinusitis can be determined.
Basically, the main goals of sinusitis treatment are to:
- Reduces inflammation of the sinuses
- Pressing so that sinusitis symptoms do not recur
- Relieves pain and discomfort in the nose
Medical drugs
The main step to cure sinusitis is of course by using drugs. There are several sinusitis drugs that you can buy at the pharmacy without a doctor's prescription, and there are also drugs that you must use according to a doctor's prescription.
The following are drugs that are commonly used to treat sinusitis:
1. Saline nasal irrigation
Saline water is salt water that has been shown to be effective in treating various symptoms of nasal disorders. Therefore, you can try using saline water for the treatment of sinusitis.
The function of saline water is to keep the inside of the nose clean, reduce the number of germs in the nose and sinuses, and get rid of other irritants that accumulate in the nose.
Saline water itself is sold over the counter in pharmacies as a spray. Its use is quite easy and you can follow the instructions listed on the packaging label.
However, you can also make your own saline water at home with a mixture of ingredients at home, namely 400 ml boiled water, 1 teaspoon. baking soda, as well as 1 teaspoon of salt.
2. Corticosteroids
Sinusitis treatment can also be done with corticosteroid drugs. This drug is available as a spray (nasal spray), oral (drinking), and injection (injection).
Corticosteroids can help reduce inflammation and swelling of the nasal passages and sinus openings. In addition, if your sinusitis is caused by nasal polyps, corticosteroids can be effective at shrinking the polyps.
Some examples of corticosteroids that can be used for sinusitis are:
- fluticasone
- triamcinolone
- budesonide
- mometasone
- beclomethasone
However, corticosteroid drugs can only be used with a doctor's prescription. Long-term use of corticosteroids, especially oral drugs, carries the risk of causing side effects. Therefore, this drug can only be used for the treatment of sinusitis that is chronic or severe.
3. Decongestants
Decongestants can also be used for the treatment of sinusitis. You can use decongestants, which are available as nasal sprays as well as oral medications.
Decongestants help relieve nasal congestion caused by sinus inflammation. This medication can thin mucus or mucus, so that the airflow through your nose becomes smoother and you can breathe easier.
However, the use of decongestants must also be done with caution. According to the Harvard Health Publishing website, the use of decongestants for the nose is at risk of causing the swelling to recur. In addition, oral decongestants can potentially increase your blood pressure.
4. Pain relievers
To relieve pain, such as headaches from sinusitis, you can choose an over-the-counter pain reliever medication. Some of them are paracetamol, ibuprofen, and aspirin.
However, be careful about giving aspirin to children and adolescents, especially those who are recovering from chickenpox or the flu. Aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare condition found in children.
5. Antibiotics
Antibiotics are generally given as a treatment for chronic sinusitis caused by a bacterial infection. Thus, acute sinusitis usually does not require therapy or treatment with antibiotics, even in cases that are triggered by bacteria.
In some cases, the doctor will usually wait a few days before giving antibiotics. If your condition does not improve after 2-3 days, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic immediately.
Make sure you take antibiotics until they run out and follow the doctor's prescription. If you stop taking antibiotics before they run out, or take them without following the dose given, there is a chance that sinusitis symptoms can recur.
6. Immunotherapy
Another treatment option for sinusitis, especially those caused by allergies, is immunotherapy. This therapy is usually given by injection or injection.
The goal of immunotherapy is to help the body not react to certain allergens.
Sinusitis surgery
If indeed the antibiotics given to patients with chronic sinus inflammation do not work, the last thing that will be an option in your treatment is sinusitis surgery, also known as functional endoscopic sinus surgery (BESF).
A BESF procedure can be done to remove polyps that cause sinusitis. This operation can also be done to open the narrowed openings of the sinuses and remove the fluid trapped in them.
Most of these sinus surgeries will be successful and can prevent symptoms of sinus inflammation in the future. Usually doctors will still give antibiotics after the BESF procedure.
To find out if you need sinus surgery, you need to undergo an in-depth examination. The examination process usually includes taking your medical history, nasal endoscopy, and CT scans.
Other sinusitis treatments
Not only with medical drugs and surgery, you can also treat sinusitis in other non-medical ways. Here are some tips you can try:
1. Massage the face
Sinus massage is one of the many home remedies for sinusitis that can help relieve sinus pressure. Experts reveal that gentle pressure when massaging can improve blood circulation in the nose. As a result, the symptoms of sinusitis can gradually reduce.
According to a study published in Journal of Paramedical Science and Rehabilitation In 2014, 35 women reported that sinus headaches tended to decrease after receiving facial massage therapy.
Likewise, in a separate study conducted on male athletes with chronic sinusitis, facial massage can reduce numbness and pressure in the face due to sinusitis. So there is no doubt that facial massage therapy is considered effective in overcoming sinusitis.
But unfortunately, experts still need further research and analysis to prove the effect of facial massage on sinusitis. Until now, it is not known whether the effect of massage can treat sinus in the long term or not.
Some licensed massage therapists recommend that you get regular facial massages to treat recurrent sinusitis. Most importantly, always talk to a therapist if your face hurts or feels uncomfortable during massage.
2. Gurah sinusitis
Gurah is a traditional medicine with ingredients made from plants Clerodendrum serratum or srigunggu. This treatment is believed to help thin mucus from the nose and sinuses, so that breathing becomes smoother.
Gurah for the treatment of sinusitis is considered safe, although its success still needs further investigation.
3. Compress warm water
The compress method is the easiest way to treat sinusitis that you can do at home. You can use a towel or cloth soaked in warm water, then compress the nose and forehead to relieve pressure in the sinuses.
In addition to reducing the pressing pain in the sinuses, compresses also help to moisturize the sinus cavities, so that the mucus inside is liquefied and easy to expel.
There are various treatment options to control symptoms and cure sinusitis. Before choosing what treatment is right for you, make sure you consult your doctor first.
