Non-Rx treatment for sinusitis

[cyklon_300]

Anyone have a remedy for sinus infections that doesn't involve antibiotics?

I've tried saltwater rinses, they remove some of the mucous and I get some minor temporary relief from the congestion but the infection still persists.

 

[JessH]

How did you do the saltwater rinses and for how long? Some of the most common methods of doing it don't seem to be the most effective. Might want to check this out: http://www.tarayoga.net/neti/library.html

It seems that these could help prevent infection and promote healing, but I have a feeling antibiotics would help a lot. Is there any particular reason you are avoiding them?

Just wanted to point out that I am not a doctor and don't really know what im talking about.

~Jess

 

[reefsong]

Talk to your doctor about whether or not you might benefit from additional information provided by a CT scan of your sinuses and whether or not a different course of an antibiotic within a different class might be useful.

Also consider that your sinus congestion may be driven by allergies and might response to regular use of prescription nasal sprays and/ or antihistamines.

Another thought to consider is that of a fungal infection of your sinuses, which would not resolve with an antibiotic, but might resolve with the right prescription antifungal.

Sometimes the doctors who can get to the bottom of the mystery to help to solve chronic sinus problems, unsuccessfully treated by their family doctor or internist, are ENT's or Allergists.

Good luck!

 

[deignor]

I used to have what I thought were re-occurring sinus infections during the winter months. Finally the MD and I figured they were allergies that I had developed. I take Allegra D when needed and have a saline nose spray.

The symptoms are very similar. Make sure it is not allergies because you don't want to end up taking antibiotics for something you think is a sinus infection and isn't!!!

Diana

 

[pasley]

cyklon_300 once bubbled...
...I've tried saltwater rinses, they remove some of the mucous and I get some minor temporary relief from the congestion but the infection still persists.

I do not know why you want to avoid antibiotics but you do need to consider the following:
1. Sinus Infections are potentially serious.
2. Sinus Infections can move into the cranium (brain) ( friend of mine had major surgery to treat bone infection of the skull to treat a sinus infection that then moved to involve the skull and was just stopped in time to avoid involving the brain.)
3. Sinus Infections can involve the eye (Another friend of mine lost one eye due to untreated sinus infection).

Of course the best thing is to aggressivly treat the infection and then to determine the cause and treat the cause.

NOT A DOCTOR OR MEDICALLY TRAINED PERSON. Comment are based upon the experience of two people I know who have had bad sinus infection outcomes.