Long lasting sinus infections can bring everyday life to a halt.
Millions of Americans suffer from painful sinus infection symptoms every year. If this includes you, then you understand just how painful a bad sinus infection can be. Sinus infections can bring life to a screeching halt. They can make you feel fatigued, they can cause headaches, stuffy nose, and facial pain. They make it complicated to fall asleep and once you finally do, sinus infection symptoms can make it more difficult to stay asleep. Long lasting sinus infections just make life miserable.
Chronic Sinus Infections are sinus infections that last for months without any relief. They may only cause acute symptoms, but serious infections are more likely to occur in people who suffer from chronic infections. Recurring sinus infections may also lead to sleep deprivation and other problems related to sleep deprivation. It is important that you get professional care if you are suffering from chronic sinus infections. Sinus infections all have very similar symptoms but can be viral, bacterial, or fungal in nature
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Will my sinus infection go away without treatment?
The human body is typically good at using processes to keep itself healthy and the sinus cavities play a huge role in those processes. Sinus cavities play a crucial role in speaking, singing, regulating air flow, and breathing. Most importantly, sinus cavities produce mucus to drain out bacteria, viruses, and fungi in order to keep you from getting sick. Although, when your sinus cavities become inflamed and swollen, they can no longer drain, and this is what leads to sinus infections.
When the body is working properly it can clear up most sinus infections on its own. In fact, it is estimated that the body will clear up or improve over 75% of sinus infections within 7-10 days. However, your body can not cure all sinus infections and sinus infections that are long lasting, or recurring can lead to rare health complications such as abscesses or brain infections.
While you will probably avoid the more serious health conditions, regular sinus infection symptoms can still severely impact your life. They may cause issues that affect certain areas such as:
- Workplace Performance: Fatigue and painful sinus symptoms can make it hard to focus while working. This can lead to poor performance which may result in lack of advancement, more workplace accidents, bad performance reviews, and an eventual loss of employment.
- Academic Success: Learning, testing, and focus can all be affected by a simple sinus infection, leading to poor grades and other long-term academic consequences.
- Relationship Difficulties: Painful sinus symptoms can take a huge toll on any relationship. Fatigue, headaches, and sinus pain can make it difficult to focus on loved ones which can lead to miscommunication and conflict.
- Loss of Life Enjoyment: Sinus infection symptoms can take away from the joys in life. Suffering from fatigue, headaches, congestion, and sinus pain can cause you to lose interest in things that you normally wouldn’t want to go without. Simple things such as going out to eat or working on a hobby may seem too difficult to do while suffering from chronic sinus infections.
Recurring Sinus Infection Treatment Options.
All sinus infections may feel similar, but they are unique to you. This is because there are several things that can cause sinus infections. They can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi and these different sources require different treatment methods. This means that you should seek customized care from a physician when trying to treat your chronic sinusitis.
At MidState ENT we can take a comprehensive approach that is unique to you in order to provide the best care possible. Some treatment options that our physicians may work into your unique treatment plan include:
Home Remedies for Sinus Infections
Home remedies for sinus infections are everywhere these days. We all see internet or TV ads promoting “the last cure you will ever need for sinus infections” but we don’t know what to trust. Many claims are not backed up by science and you have to be careful when using certain products because they can be dangerous. However, some home remedies do work, and they can be incorporated into the comprehensive treatment plan that our physicians create specifically for you. Read about some home remedies (link to the home remedies blog) that may be included in your treatment plan.
Antibiotics for Sinus Infections
A lot of people believe that antibiotics are the best treatment for all sinus infections. However, they are only effective at treating bacterial sinus infections. They are not effective for treating viral, fungal, or any infections that may be caused by allergies, cold, or flu. While antibiotics will treat sinus infections temporarily, they won’t necessarily treat the root cause of the issue. Antibiotics are an effective treatment for difficult bacterial infections and when used correctly they are a safe and powerful tool.
Sinus Infection Medicine
Decongestants, nasal sprays, and corticosteroids are common medicines used to treat sinus infections and they can be appropriate when used correctly. It is important to consult your doctor to make sure that you are taking the medicine correctly and that the medicine is correct for the symptoms you are having. Like antibiotics, over the counter medication is not going to get to the root of the problem which is inflammation and nasal blockages.
Sinus Surgery
If you are suffering from recurring sinus infections as a result of a blockage such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum then traditional sinus surgery may be right for you. Traditional endoscopic sinus surgery is done in a hospital and involves permanent removal of bone or tissue. This is done to restore flow to the nasal passages.
The Minimally Invasive Balloon Sinuplasty Procedure
Balloon Sinuplasty is a revolutionary way to treat chronic sinus infections without the need for surgery. Balloon sinuplasty or balloon sinus dilation is a low risk, in-office procedure that can provide you with immediate long-term relief for your chronic sinus infection. Balloon sinuplasty is so gentle, effective, and affordable that most insurances cover it when it is deemed medically necessary. Learn more about balloon sinuplasty.
Let MidState ENT Treat Your Recurrent Sinus Infection Today.
Contact MidState ENT today if you are suffering from a chronic sinus infection or if you get several sinus infections every year. We can help you get your life back by working with you to come up with a comprehensive treatment plan that is unique and effective.