A cup of hot tea or another warm beverage can thin nasal secretions and loosen phlegm.
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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – People with sinusitis due to the common cold or other causes are often prescribed antibiotics. In fact, sinusitis accounts for 15 to 21 percent of all antibiotic prescriptions written for adults in outpatient care.
But most of them probably don’t need the drugs. Here’s why:
They seldom help. Sinusitis usually stems from a viral infection, not a bacterial one—and antibiotics don’t work against viruses. Even when bacteria are responsible, infections usually clear up on their own within a week. In a study of 166 adults with acute sinusitis in the Feb. 15, 2012, Journal of the American Medical Association, amoxicillin was no better than a placebo at reducing symptoms after three days. In general, consider antibiotics only if symptoms last longer than 10 days, worsen over time, or are very severe.
They pose risks. Studies suggest that nearly 25 percent of people who take antibiotics experience side effects, such as a rash or, more commonly, diarrhea and stomach problems. In rare cases, they can cause severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylactic shock.
They can breed super germs. Overuse of antibiotics encourages the growth of bacteria that can’t be controlled easily with drugs. That makes you more vulnerable to antibiotic-resistant infections and undermines the usefulness of antibiotics for everyone.
They’re a waste of money. Not all antibiotics are expensive, but since doctors continue to write so many prescriptions for them, the total cost to the health-care system is substantial—at least $31 million a year. If you do need antibiotics, the best choice is often generic amoxicillin, which costs as little as $4 for a course of treatment and works as well as more expensive brand-name antibiotics.
Self-help measures and, if needed, over-the-counter drugs can help ease symptoms until sinusitis clears up, typically within a week or so. They include:
Rest. That’s especially important in the first few days, when your body needs its energy to fight the virus—and when you’re most contagious.
Warm fluids. Drinking them can help thin nasal secretions and loosen phlegm.
Humidity. Warm, moist air from a bath, shower, or kettle can loosen phlegm and soothe the throat.
Gargling. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water to relieve painful swelling in your throat.
Rinsing. Flushing your nostrils with saltwater might ease congestion. If you use a commercial nasal-rinse device, be sure to thoroughly clean it daily.
OTC medication, but used cautiously. To reduce the risk of side effects, look for single-ingredient products that target the symptoms you want to treat.
For a stuffy nose, drops or sprays containing oxymetazoline (Afrin, Neosynephrine Nighttime, and generic) work faster and cause fewer side effects than oral decongestants. But they can cause rebound congestion if used for longer than three days. If the stuffiness hasn’t eased by then, ask your pharmacist for pseudoephedrine pills (Sudafed and generic), which are nonprescription but kept “behind the counter” to prevent their use in making illegal drugs. Check with your doctor before taking any oral decongestant if you suffer from anxiety or have diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, or hyperthyroidism.
In general, don’t bother with antihistamines. Older ones such as chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine might help a little but can cause drowsiness, dry eyes and mouth, and urinary retention, and can worsen narrow-angle glaucoma. Newer antihistamines, such as loratadine (Alavert, Claritin, and generic), work well for allergies but usually don’t help sinus symptoms.
Comparing the symptoms
Allergies
Classic symptoms are congestion, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, clear nasal discharge, and a scratchy or ticklish throat. They typically start or worsen with the onset of spring or fall, triggered by.exposure to specific allergens, such as mold or pollen from grass or ragweed. Pollen counts in many parts of the U.S. are expected to be extra high this year due to an unusually warm winter.
Other possible symptoms:
• Cough, headache, fatigue.
• Dark circles under the eyes, sometimes called an “allergic shiner.”
Sinusitis
Sinusitis can occur anytime, but cases are more likely during cold and flu season. Classic symptoms are congestion plus nasal discharge that has turned yellow, green, or gray, and pain or tenderness in the cheeks, upper jaw, or under or above the eyes. It often worsens when you bend over or turn your head from side to side.
Other possible symptoms:
• Fever (often greater than 101.5˚ F).
• Fatigue or muscle aches linked to the underlying infection.
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