The best initial treatment for nasal and sinus issues involves over the counter care. It's highly effective and most patients don't need anything more. Read on!
Allergies and inflamed mucous membranes inside the nose and sinuses can cause a variety of symptoms:
The initial treatment of chronic sinusitis, nasal breathing issues, and allergies are all similar. Each of these conditions is often associated with inflamed mucous membranes inside the nose.
So treatment is geared towards decreasing nasal inflammation so that you can breathe better, have less postnasal drip and runny nose, a better sense of smell, fewer infections and sinus attacks, and less of a run-down feeling.
Treatment is a three-pronged approach:
This daily over the counter treatment works really well when done together for a couple of months. So well that half of people need nothing else!
Again, these treatments are best when used daily on a schedule. It is very difficult to keep inflammation down in the long term when they are used only as needed. Remember to ask your doctor when you have a flare up because antibiotics or oral steroids might be helpful.
Warning: Nosebleeds, numbness of the face, and double vision are not signs of run of the mill nasal issues. They are warning signs that need to be evaluated quickly by a doctor.
If this three pronged approach fails to help for a couple of months, make an appointment to see your doctor.
There are other prescription medications that may be helpful. Some of these are antihistamine eye drops or nose sprays. Some people may benefit from allergy testing to guide treatment with allergy shots. A few patients need a combination of medical treatment and surgery to relieve their symptoms.
There are several different forms of chronic sinusitis. One form that is particularly difficult to treat is “chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps,” or CRSwNP. This form of chronic sinusitis is a different disease than straightforward chronic sinusitis.
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