Treatment and Prevention
There are two problems to solve in sinusitis: the infection itself and the
original blockage that caused it. The infection is treated with antibiotics.
The exact drug used depends on the type of bacteria, but it's typically for
10 to 14 days. If the infection is a chronic one that has lasted over three
months, antibiotic therapy may have to last up to six weeks. If you do not
take all the pills on time, even after symptoms have disappeared, the bacteria
could return in a form that's resistant to that antibiotic.
Decongestants may be helpful to clear the sinuses and nasal cavity. Spray decongestants
like phenylephrine* are effective, but don't use them for more than three days
in a row, or they actually start to increase congestion and swelling.
Occasionally, for chronic sinusitis, your doctor will wash out the nasal
cavity with a saline solution. Much the same results can be achieved at
home by inhaling steam from a bucket with a towel over the head. It may help
to add eucalyptus and menthol-based decongestants to the hot water - these can
be used for as long as you need them.
There's no guaranteed way to prevent sinusitis, but you could reduce
your risk by taking medicines to relieve the symptoms of cold, flu, hay fever,
and other nasal allergies.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name
is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®).
The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen).
A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article
lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names,
speak with your doctor or pharmacist.