Sinus Infection Treatment - Houston Primary Care

Sinus Infection TreatmentHouston, TXWhile people may try to wait out a sinus infection with store-bought medication and rest, those methods are not always enough. In more serious cases where the infection lasts for several days and gets worse, professional medical treatment is necessary. By visiting our clinic, you can receive professional and customized treatment to meet your needs.
No matter how much you attempt to prevent getting sick, there is always the chance of contracting
a sinus infection. Thus, the earlier you seek professional treatment, the better chance you have
of preventing the infection from getting worse.
If you or your child develop a sinus infection that becomes concerning for any reason, do not
hesitate to come in for a visit. There is no appointment needed. We will see you as soon as we
are able.
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Treatment Options for a Sinus Infection

If your symptoms become a severe cause for concern, then visit our clinic for additional treatment. Upon arrival, we will complete a medical evaluation. There are several common tactics performed to try and diagnose a sinus infection, which include a detailed examination of the nasal passageways.

After diagnosis, there are several treatment options available. The specific treatment method we decide on will depend on the severity of the infection and the patient’s health. In the event a bacterial infection is the cause, we may prescribe antibiotics as part of the treatment. However, antibiotics do not work for viral infections. Instead, antiviral medications are likely to be given for viral infections such as the cold.

Other medications we may recommend include:

Decongestants

Allergy medicines

Nasal spray

Pain relievers

Steroids

One of the main reasons for sinus inflammation is allergies, which occur when the immune system rejects a substance it deems harmful. If allergies are determined to be the cause of the sinus inflammation, a steroid spray can be prescribed. The nasal spray should help reduce the severity of the reaction, which ultimately allows the sinus inflammation to stay at a tolerable level.

Causes and Symptoms of a Sinus Infection

Sinus inflammation, also known as sinusitis, is a condition where the nasal passageway becomes inflamed due to an infection or allergies. There are two different types of sinus infections: acute sinus infection and a chronic sinus infection. Acute sinus inflammation can be caused by another condition or infection, such as the common cold or allergies. A chronic sinus infection has a much more complicated diagnosis and almost always requires medical assistance to keep under control.

The two leading causes of acute infection are either a bacterial infection or a viral infection. While they are similar, bacterial infections have a different treatment procedure than a viral infection. Therefore, it is essential to get a proper diagnosis from us. Bacterial infections that lead to sinusitis are far less frequent than a viral infection.

Depending on the severity of the sinus infection, as well as the cause and type of sinus infection, the symptoms differ. Nevertheless, several more common symptoms apply to almost every case of sinus infections, these include:

Nasal congestion

Runny nose

Headache

Facial pain

Cough

Sinus pressure

The very first symptoms that a person may experience with a sinus infection are nasal congestion and runny nose. The patient may need more advanced treatment that can only be prescribed by a medical professional.

Additionally, almost all sinus infections include a headache, which can range from mild to extremely severe, and uncomfortable facial pain. There is no way to eliminate these symptoms without treating the cause or allowing the body to fight it off naturally, although medical assistance can help speed up the process of recovery.

When to Seek Primary Care Treatment

It is important to seek primary care for a sinus infection if the symptoms begin to worsen or last for an extended amount of time. In the event the patient has severe trouble breathing due to a sinus infection, then they need to visit us as soon as possible.

Additionally, primary care is highly encouraged if a child develops a sinus infection since they have less of an ability to fight off the infection quickly. It can be much more challenging to diagnose the cause of the sinus inflammation in children. In some cases, the reason could be due to an underlying allergy the parents are not aware of.

We will thoroughly examine the patient’s symptoms and document any information that is relevant to make a proper diagnosis. Making a list of all the symptoms the patient is experiencing before the appointment can help. We may also ask about the patient’s medical history, how severe the symptoms are and any lifestyle events that may have led to the onset of the sinus infection before customizing the treatment.

Visit Us Today

To ensure the symptoms do not worsen or linger for longer than what is necessary, visit us anytime we are open or call. By receiving prompt, quality care, you can give your body what it needs to fight off the sinus infection in a relatively short amount of time.

Without proper treatment, a sinus infection can last for weeks and not get much better. The symptoms can worsen to a point where it causes you to miss a significant amount of time at work or school. With proper treatment, however, you can gain the upper hand over the infection.

FAQ

What is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is also known as a sinus infection. This is when the cavities around the nasal passages are inflamed. Part of the main danger besides the inflammation is that it can hinder breathing.

I have a severe headache with my sinus infection. Is this normal?

A minor headache is very common with a sinus infection. In most cases, a minor headache is the result of too much pressure in the head and can typically be managed with anti-inflammatory pain relief medication. In some instances, severe headaches are caused by too much congestion too close to the brain. When this occurs, the sinuses may need to be cleaned out, at which point the headaches should improve.

I always have sinus infections during allergy season. Do allergies cause sinus inflammation?

Yes, allergies can cause sinus inflammation can be the result of allergies. Allergies are the body reacting to a substance it deems harmful and can cause the body to produce mucus. This mucus can clog the sinus and inflammation.

The symptoms of my sinus infection are tolerable. Can my sinus infection get better without treatment?

Like any bacterial or viral infections, the body works to fight off the sinus infection as quickly as possible, which is why we often feel fatigued during an infection. To ensure your body can fight off the infection successfully, be sure to give yourself plenty of rest and stay hydrated. By visiting us, we can ensure you receive the proper care.

Is a nasal endoscopy required to treat a sinus infection?

Nasal endoscopy is just one treatment option for sinus infections and it is not necessarily required in every instance. For more severe sinus infections, a nasal endoscopy is a painless procedure that does not take long to complete. If you have any doubts about the method, ask your doctor about the process and discuss any other possible treatment options.

Definitions

Allergies: A reaction to a specific substance in which the body rejects the substance believing it is harmful to the body. Allergic reactions are a common reason one may experience a sinus infection.
Anosmia: This term refers to the loss of the sense of smell, which is somewhat common during a sinus infection. While there are other causes, the symptom of anosmia suggests the presence of a sinus infection.
Barosinusitis: Refers to inflammation of one or more of the paranasal sinuses, which are air-filled spaces that surround the nasal cavity.
Decongestants: A treatment option for many types of sinus infections. A decongestant relieves nasal congestion and allows individuals suffering from sinusitis to breathe easier as they recover.
Mucus: A slimy substance found in the sinuses. Mucus serves to protect and lubricate the nasal passageway. An excess of mucus can develop as a reaction to a sinus infection.
Nasal endoscopy: A procedure done to clear out the sinuses during a sinus infection. It is done using an endoscope, which is a thin, flexible tube with a light and tiny camera.
Nasal steroid spray: One of the more common treatment options for a sinus infection. While there are over-the-counter nasal steroid sprays, it is best to ask you’re primary care provider about nasal steroid spray.
Septoplasty: A surgical procedure done to fix a deviated septum, which is a displacement of the bones near or in your nose. A septoplasty may be performed to treat chronic sinusitis.
Sinuses: A connected system of air-filled cavities inside of your skull. Healthy sinuses allow for the free flow of air and drainage of excess mucus in the sinuses.
Sinusitis: Also referred to as a sinus infection, sinusitis is a condition where the nasal passages are inflamed, often caused by another other infection, such as the common cold or the flu.