If you suffer from chronic congestion, you may have sinusitis, especially if you also have painful sinuses. Other common symptoms include a persistent dry cough and postnasal drip, which may cause a sore throat. Sinusitis occurs when your sinuses are swollen for an extended period of time. The causes can vary, which means you may need to try a few options before you find the most effective treatment. Here are four things to try if you have sinusitis:
1. Check for underlying ailments.
Acute sinusitis can occur as a result of another illness. If your sinus troubles occurred suddenly, you may want to make sure that a virus or infection is not to blame. Visit your primary care physician so they can perform a checkup. They will collect blood and urine samples to test for the presence of bacteria in your body. If it's determined that your sinusitis is a symptom of another sickness, treating the underlying illness will allow it to clear up on its own.
2. Get tested for allergies.
Allergies can cause sinusitis, especially if you're constantly exposed to the allergen that's causing a reaction. If you're unaware of any allergies you might have, it's worthwhile to pay a visit to an allergist. They can diagnose your allergy by performing a skin prick test. Once you're aware of what's causing your symptoms, you can eradicate it from your life. If that's not an option, as in the case of environmental allergies such as pollen, you can take allergy medicine to reduce your body's histamine levels.
3. Irrigate your sinuses.
Rinsing your sinuses will help to flush away allergens and other airborne contaminants that contribute to sinus irritation. When irrigating your sinuses, you should use saline solution heated to roughly the same temperature as your body. Don't use hot water, since it might burn the delicate tissue of your sinuses. You can find special squeeze bottles and teapots designed for sinus irrigation at your local drug store.
4. Receive sinusitis surgery.
In some cases, chronic sinusitis can be caused by the structure of your nose. A deviated septum can partially block your airways. Sinusitis surgery is minimally invasive and is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. Your surgeon will correct any deviated septum. They may also use a thin tool to explore your sinuses and remove any blockages that they find. In most cases, surgery will be a permanent solution to your sinus problems.
For more information, contact a local doctor like Scaccia Frank J Md FACS,
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