FitSugar

DrSugar Answers: Sinus Infection Prevention?

DrSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:00:00 PST

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Dear DrSugar,
My husband gets a sinus infection every year. This year it came early and he took antibiotics after fighting it for two weeks to no avail. Well, it seems to be back in a low grade way and it is making him snore, which keeps me up at night! What can he do to boost his immune system to win the battle going on in his sinuses?
-Sleepless Wife of a Snorer

How quickly cold and flu season has returned to all our lives. If you or one of your loved ones fights sinusitis all Winter long, you can see DrSugar's suggestions for fighting the good fight when you

read more. Sinus infections are very common, especially during cold and flu season. Sinusitis is generally defined as either acute (less than four weeks of symptoms), sub acute (four to 12 weeks of symptoms) and chronic (greater than 12 weeks of symptoms). Acute sinus infections are associated with symptoms such as facial pain, headache, sinus drainage, and fever. Chronic sinusitis symptoms are similar but generally less severe than those of acute sinusitis, and include persistent sinus drainage, chronic facial pain or headaches, and chronic sore throat and/or post-nasal drip. It sounds like your husband had acute sinusitis that developed into sub acute or chronic sinusitis. Inflammation of the sinuses is most commonly caused by viral upper respiratory infections and seasonal sinus allergies. This inflammation can lead to bacterial invasion of the sinuses and irritation of the sinus tissues. Prevention of sinus infections is aimed at preventing things that cause sinus inflammation, like viral upper respiratory infections and allergies. Preventing viral infections includes simple things like hand washing, reducing stress, avoiding close contact with those with viral illnesses, and eating a well-rounded diet. Treating allergy symptoms with antihistamines can prevent sinus infections by reducing inflammation of the sinuses. Avoiding dry sinuses with the use of saline nasal spray or a humidifier can also improve sinus health. Many ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialists recommend the neti pot at the onset of symptoms or for chronic sinusitis to improve drainage and reduce irritation of the sinuses. Treatment of chronic sinusitis can also include medications such as decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal steroids. Check out our health guide for extensive information on sinusitis. In the interim, I suggest investing in some quality earplugs so your husband's snoring doesn't interfere with your sleep. If you have a question for DrSugar, send me a private message here and I will forward it to the good doctor. DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

Allergies, Sinus Pain, and Toothaches

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:00:00 PDT

If I seem obsessed with seasonal allergies, it is because I am suffering this year more than most. I am continually surprised by the odd pains I experience as side effects of my "hay fever," like pains in my molars. Let's start at the beginning.

The human body tries to eliminate those pesky allergens with mucus. Yes, the mucus really wants to be your friend, an ally in this battle; but if the mucus doesn't flow out, when you try to blow it out, it hangs around in your sinuses creating congestion and causing pressure and pain. We have many sinus cavities in our skulls, but the ones on either side of your nose (aka the maxillary sinuses) need to drain upward, an action not so easily accomplished if we are upright, which we are for most of the day. These sinuses sit on your upper jaw, and when congested they can put pressure on the surrounding areas causing pain in your upper teeth, cheeks, and right below the eyes. If your sinuses become inflamed or infected, the pain could be even more extreme. Not only do those allergens make your eyes and nose run, they can indirectly create tooth pain.

If you are experiencing dental pain and are prone to allergies accompanied by nasal congestion and sinus infections, then you can probably assume that sinus pressure is causing the pain in your teeth. If you're not so sure, give your dentist a call.

Source

Antibiotics for Sinus Infections: Not a Happy Ending

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 02:30:00 PST

To kick off cold and flu season, a new British study found that a placebo works just as well as antibiotics (amoxicillin) in treating sinus infections. That conclusion, at least in my book, is not a happy ending. It seems no matter what treatment the 240 study participants tried – antibiotics, steroid nasal spray, or placebo – their sinus infections cleared up after about two weeks. Antibiotics work on bacterial infections, but the long held belief that green and yellow mucus (gross I know, but a telling symptom of a sinus infection) is not indicative of a bacterial infection, as was once widely believed.

The study concludes that doctors should aim to treat the symptoms, using over the counter pain medication, like ibuprofen, for the throbbing pain (I don't exaggerate – the inflamed sinus can really cause some serious pain) and warm water rinses, like using the good old fashioned neti pot.

Source

Sinus Infection or Not?

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 09:30:00 PDT

Every time I get a cold, I spend the entire duration wondering if it is actually a dreaded sinus infection (aka Sinusitis). No one has actually explained the difference in the symptoms between a sinus infection and a nasty cold, so I always just lived in fear that this one could actually be a sinus infection.

However, when I recently came across a list of common symptoms of a sinus infection, courtesy of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, I had to share:

Headache, particularly first thing in the morning.
Pain in the forehead, jaw, teeth and cheeks, or between the eyes.
Swollen or inflamed tear ducts, eyelids, and other tissues surrounding the eyes.
Congestion, sore throat, neck pain or cough.
Fever.
Weakness and fatigue.

So there you have it. If the cold medicines you've been taking to relieve the symptoms of the common cold are not working and you've got a terrible headache, it looks like it's time to see a doctor.

Source

Neti Pot Possible Cause of Two Deaths: How to Use One Safely

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:09:31 PST

Flushing your nasal passages with warm salt water can do wonders for congestion and sinus pain caused by colds and allergies, but use a neti pot improperly, and it could result in death. Louisiana's state health department has issued a warning for neti pots in response to two deaths thought to be linked to improper neti pot use. Both victims filled their neti pots with regular tap water instead of the manufacturer-recommended distilled or sterilized water.

Louisiana state department health officials believe deadly brain-eating amoebas known as Naegleria fowleri, which can live in tap water, entered into the victims' bodies through their noses, then made their way into their brains. The amoeba then infected each victim with a neurological disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which quickly destroys brain tissue, usually killing in a matter of days.

Scary, I know, but don't throw out your neti pot just yet. Keep reading to find out how to safely irrigate your sinuses.

DrSugar Answers: Best Medicine to Take For a Headache?

DrSugar — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:31:52 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she gives us the skinny on OTC pain medications.

Dear DrSugar,
Do the different types of over-the-counter pain relievers work better for different problems? What should I take for a headache - is aspirin better than ibuprofen? What should I take if I have a fever or the flu? Is there one that's best for dealing with swelling for twists and sprains? What about a pulled muscle? I look in my medicine cabinet and don't know what to take for what ails me. Thanks!
- Pained and Confused

This is a great question since there are so many options for over-the-counter pain relief available, making it quite difficult to keep straight which one is good for different problems! To learn more about the different OTC pain medications and which one to use for different medical problems, keep reading!

Universal Flu Vaccine on the Horizon?

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 09:45:35 PST

A little cold I can handle, even a sinus infection, but the flu? I don't remember ever feeling as bad as I did the week I came down with the flu. I was so delirious from my 103° fever, and combined with the chills, body aches, and pounding headache, it was just unbearable. To prevent feeling that horrible every year, I make sure to head to my doctor's office for a flu shot, but it doesn't always work since it doesn't protect against all strains. So when I read that UK researchers may have created a universal flu shot, I became quite hopeful.

This vaccine is different from current flu vaccines because it targets the proteins inside the flu virus rather than the proteins on the external coat. These interior proteins are similar across all strains of the flu and less likely to mutate, so this one vaccine could be used to prevent all types of flu. Another difference is that this new treatment helps boost the production of T-cells which can identify, attack, and kill infected cells. So it's much more effective than today's vaccine that just stimulates the body to produce antibodies to fight the flu. If this new vaccine is successful, it could prevent future nasty outbreaks like the swine flu and H1N1.

I don't know about you, but it'd be a huge relief during cold and flu season to get one shot and know I'd never have to suffer in bed surrounded by snotty tissues again.

Call in Sick to Work When . . .

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:30:00 PST

When I feel a cold coming on, I want nothing more than to complain about my discomfort and lie on the couch watching romantic comedies. Let's face it though, we can't always call in sick for a little case of the sniffles. We also don't want to downplay our symptoms and go to work when a contagious virus is pulsing through our bodies. So call in sick:

When you are noticing beginning combinations of symptoms such as a sore throat, nasal congestion, or a bad headache. Since you are most contagious at the beginning of your illness, your co-workers will appreciate you keeping your germs at home.
When you have a full-on cold and you work closely with other people, children, or the elderly. You don't want to risk infecting them.
When you have a fever, stay home. Your body temperature rises to help kill off germs, so rest at home to let your body do its job.
When you have a productive cough, chest congestion, stuffed up sinuses, green mucus, a scratchy sore throat, achiness, nausea, or are throwing up, definitely call in sick.

When should you go to work? To find out

Don't Try This at Home: Remedies to Avoid

FitSugar — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:30:22 PST

I have a slew of home remedies tucked in my noggin that I pull out when needed. Tummy ache? I whip up some fresh ginger tea (it's also good for colds). Honey soothes my sore throat, and when I've had a tough workout and am left with sore muscles, an apple cider vinegar wrap does the trick.

Those home remedies are safe and actually work, but some cures and treatments you may have heard about can actually be dangerous and make the issue you're trying to alleviate worse. Here are a few to stay away from.

Ear candles: These long, hollow, tapered tubes are made of muslin and coated with wax. You stick one end in your ear and light the other end. As the candle burns, the smoke and heat create a gentle vacuum that supposedly sucks out debris and excess ear wax to relieve sinus pressure, relieve stress, and improve hearing. The amount of suction created by this tiny candle isn't enough to suck out anything, and ear wax shouldn't be removed anyway. Your body secretes wax to help clean and lubricate your ear. Ear candling doesn't work and can be very dangerous because wax from the candle can drip into your ear, or the burning candle could catch your hair on fire. If you have an earache or sinus pressure, see your doctor instead.

To see what other remedies you should avoid,

Neti Pot Use Could Cause Sinus Problems?

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:15:00 PST

Pollen and cat fur are not my friends, and when I become so stuffed up I can't smell a thing, I turn to my neti pot. It looks like a little teapot. You fill it with warm salt water, place the spout in one nostril and as the water passes through your nasal passages and comes out the other nostril; it helps get rid of irritants and mucus so you can breathe easier. I know it sounds medieval, but it really works whether I'm stuffed up from smelling flowers or if I have a cold. Last Spring I was happy to hear that science backed up the use of a neti pot to relieve congestion, but I've got some bad news for my fellow neti pot lovers. A new study shows that long-term use of the neti pot can actually cause sinus problems. The study followed 68 people who used their neti for a year, and then took a break for a year. The rate of sinusitis actually dropped by 62 percent in the year that the participants stopped using the neti pot.

Researchers believe that the mucus in your nasal passages acts as a defense against infection, and flushing it away disrupts your body's immune function. They recommend that neti pots be used every once in a while to relieve congestion, but should not be used daily for an extended period of time. If you have issues with constantly being stuffed up, see your doctor so they can help figure out the cause of your congestion and how to treat it.

If you've never heard of a neti pot and want to see how it's used, check out a how-to video when you

read more.
Source: Flickr User Thirteen Of Clubs