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Health care information for sinusitis sufferers |
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Health care information for sinusitis sufferers |
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Treatment OptionsThere are two broad categories of sinusitis: acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis. Many treatment choices are currently available for both types of sinusitis. Deciding on the best treatment option means weighing the risks and benefits of each. Once a decision is reached, you should approach your treatment with confidence, a positive mental attitude, and a thorough understanding of the anticipated outcome. It is important to set realistic goals for your recovery — and to be willing to work steadily toward achieving those goals.Acute Sinusitis Unlike a cold, or an allergy, acute bacterial sinusitis requires antibiotic treatment to cure the infection. About half of all bacterial sinus infections will resolve without antibiotics. Because the symptoms of sinusitis and a cold can be identical, it is common to assume that a sinus infection that is less than 5 to 7 days in duration is a viral infection that does not require an antibiotic. However, if sinus symptoms do not improve after 5 to 7 days, it becomes more likely that the infection is caused by bacteria and will respond to an antibiotic. Generally speaking, you should be able to detect clinical improvement within one or two days of starting an effective antibiotic. If, on the other hand, you are only starting to feel well toward the tenth day of the antibiotic, the antibiotic is probably not contributing to improvement and the infection would have resolved on its own. Because many bacteria have developed resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics, some ENT physicians recommend taking a culture endoscopically. In two or three days, the microbiology laboratory will be able to identify the type of bacteria that is growing in the culture so that your physician can prescribe the most effective antibiotic. It should be noted here that there is a high rate of spontaneous resolution of acute sinusitis. Therefore, some physicians only use decongestants to treat the symptoms of acute sinusitis in patients who have no previous history of sinusitis. This strategy helps to limit the spread of antibiotic-resistant strains of infection. Many over-the-counter medications and decongestants are available today. Decongestants are prescribed to decrease thickening of nasal mucus. Antihistamines are not generally recommended, except in cases of allergy, because they dry the sinuses and impede sinus drainage somewhat. Saline, steam inhalation, and drinking large quantities of water may help to clear secretions. If symptoms persist, your physician may prescribe a regiment of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Typical duration of treatment for acute sinusitis: 10-14 days. Chronic Sinusitis Chronic sinusitis symptoms can be difficult to treat, in part because treatment may require the coordinated efforts of several specialists to treat all of the aspects of the disease. In general, however, treating chronic sinusitis is similar to treating acute sinusitis. If antibiotic treatment fails, allergy testing, desensitization, and/or surgery may be recommended as the most effective means for treating chronic sinusitis. Research studies suggest that the vast majority of people who undergo surgery have fewer symptoms and better quality of life. Chronic sinusitis can be broken down into bacterial chronic sinusitis and non-infectious chronic sinusitis. Both have different medical treatment options. Many people with non-infectious chronic sinusitis respond to topical or oral steroids or nasal washe treatments. Depending on the severity of your chronic sinusitis infection, there are four main treatments a doctor may consider: 1. Oral Antibiotics Oral antibiotics are one of the most prescribed treatments for chronic sinusitis patients. For this treatment, doctors prescribe a number of broad-spectrum antibiotics that a patient takes daily for approximately 2-3 weeks. If chronic sinusitis persists, your otolaryngologist may take a sample of the infection for culture in order to prescribe a narrow spectrum antibiotic specifically designed to combat a particular type of viral infection. 2. Nebulized Antibiotics Nebulized antibiotics are a way of treating infections topically. This treatment consists of breathing in the antibiotics through your nose, which allows the antibiotics to get directly to the source of the problem. This type of treatment usually lasts 2-3 weeks. 3. Intravenous (IV) Antibiotics In select cases, your doctor may decide on an intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy. For this treatment, antibiotics directly enter the bloodstream through an injection. This type of therapy generally lasts 4-6 weeks. 4. Sinus Surgery Sinus surgery is generally a last line of defense for doctors to relieve a chronic sinusitis condition. Most surgeries are endoscopic surgeries, which allows the surgeon to operate without making facial incisions. The surgery is generally accomplished in one to three hours, and can take several weeks for a full recovery. To view medical treatment options for sinusitis and sinus-related disease, click here. To view surgical treatment options for sinusitis and sinus-related disease, click here.
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