What Medication Is Best for Sinusitis?

Mild to moderate sinusitis

If the sinuscongestionis mild, it can be relieved with medications such as:

• Decongestants
• Over-the-countercoldandallergymedications
• Nasal saline sprays

Severe sinusitis

If symptoms do not improve after 10 days, treatments may change to:

• Antibiotics
• Oral or topical decongestants
• Prescription intranasal steroid sprays

Chronic sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis is often treated by focusing on the underlying condition (which are typicallyallergies):

• Intranasal steroid sprays
• Topicalantihistaminesprays or oral pills
• Leukotriene antagonists to reduceallergy symptoms

When sinusitis is not controlled with these treatments, a computed tomography scan may be taken to have a better look at the sinuses. Based on the results, surgery may be required to correct structural problems in the sinuses. This is often advised in the case of polyps andfungal infections.

• Acute sinusitis:Symptoms last for 4 weeks or less and may be due to bacterial or viral infections orallergies.
• Chronic sinusitis:Sinus swelling lasts for more than 3 months and may be due to bacterial or fungal infections.
• Subacute sinusitis:Sinus congestion lasts for 1-3 months.

The sinuses are air-filledcavitiesin the skull that are located behind the forehead, nasal bones, cheeks, and eyes. They produce thinmucusthat drains out of the nose and keeps the nasal passages clear of germs and allergens.

When these sinus openings are blocked and traps mucus and air inside the sinuses, germs can grow more easily and cause infection.

Causes of sinusitis include:

• Medical conditions where small hair-like structures (cilia) present in the sinuses fail to properly drain mucus.
• Colds andallergies, which lead to too much mucus production or block the sinus cavities.
• Deviated nasal septum, nasalbone spurs, ornasal polypsthat block the sinus cavities.

鼻窦炎的风险因素包括:

• Respiratory tract infections
• Seasonal allergies
• Allergies to dust,pollen, and pet dander
• Nasal polyps that can lead to obstruction and inflammation
• Weakened immune system due tohuman immunodeficiency virusor chemotherapy
• Abnormal sinus structures, such asdeviated septum

症状的严重程度取决于反对dition and may include:

• Stuffy nose and discharge
• Postnasal drip
• Painbehind the eyes or face
• Sore throat
• Coughthat is often worse at night
• Bad breathorloss of smell
• Fatigueand a general feeling of being ill
• Headache
• Fever

Although rare, untreatedsinus infectionscan become dangerous if they lead to infection of the brain, eyes, or surrounding bones. This can cause conditions such as:

• Brainabscess
• Meningitis
• Orbital abscess
• Orbitalcellulitis
• Mastoiditis