If you are suffering from any sinus condition, luck is still on your side as there are many sinus medications available in the market today. Choices can range from over the counter drugs, specialized medicines, home treatments or natural and herbal remedies. With so many options at your disposal, many often wonder which one is the best way to treat sinusitis. To answer this question, here are some information that can help you decide on which medication or treatment to use. Over the Counter Drugs Over the counter drugs are often prescribed and used against sinusitis. These drugs are not only effective in providing relief from the symptoms, but also easily accessible and readily available in any drugstore. Oral and nasal decongestants are helpful in easing congestion and reducing the swelling of the nasal membranes. Analgesics and ibuprofen are prescribed for headaches and facial pain. Coughing and excess mucus can be controlled using expectorants. To control allergies, antihistamines are effective in blocking the release of histamines into the body. No one can deny how helpful over the counter drug medications are on relieving sinusitis and its symptoms. However, these kinds of sinus medication only provide temporary relief from the symptoms of sinusitis. The root cause of infection cannot be treated with over the counter sinus medication alone. Also, these drugs can have adverse side effects especially with prolonged use. Specialized Drugs for Sinusitis For permanent relief from sinusitis, it is necessary to determine the root cause of infection first. Depending on the cause of infection, your doctor will prescribe the sinus medication that will treat the problem. For bacterial infection, patients are often prescribed with antibiotics. Anti-fungal sinus medications are given to those suffering from fungal sinusitis. Corticosteroids, available in oral or topical form, can also be used to treat sinusitis complicated by allergies or abnormal growths in the sinuses. As with any other drugs, these specialized drugs can have adverse side effects. Just to name a few, side effects can include: - drowsiness - upset stomach - eye complications - allergic reactions - liver damage - increase blood pressure - and bone damage. Because of this, it is important to consult a specialist and take the sinus medications only as prescribed. Home and Herbal Remedies Because of the possible side effects associated with drugs, many people opt to try home and herbal remedies instead. Most commonly used home remedies include steam treatments and nasal irrigation, which are helpful in clearing nasal congestion and soothing the mucus membranes. Herbs such as licorice, astralagus, Echinacea and ginger are known to help clear out blockages in the sinuses and boost the immune system. Although effective in providing relief from sinusitis, sinusitis sufferers should not rely solely on these remedies to get rid of the infection. Most of the time, relief is temporary and symptoms can come back after some time. Surgery When all else fails, there is another option available – surgery. Traditional surgery, usually done when complications have appeared, entails making an opening into the sinus from inside the mouth or through the skin of the face. Another type of surgery is endoscopy, wherein a thin and lighted tool is inserted into the nose to remove whatever is causing the blockage. Surgery is considered by many as a last resort since it can be very invasive and expensive as well. For more information, please visit http://sinusinfectionproblems.com
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