Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Chronic Sinus And Ear Infections

Must read

Other Remedies For Symptom Relief

Ending Your Chronic Sinus Infections

Staying hydrated can help thin mucus to ease congestion.

Drinking hot liquids such as tea and broth may help relieve your symptoms. Breathing in moist air may also help relieve the discomfort that comes with nasal congestion. Try breathing in steam from the shower, a bowl of hot water, or a mug of tea.

If your voice is hoarse, rest it by avoiding yelling, whispering, and singing.

Placing a warm compress over the inflamed area can help reduce pressure and provide relief.

damages the natural protective elements of your nose, mouth, throat, and respiratory system.

If you smoke, consider quitting. Ask a doctor if you need help or are interested in quitting. Quitting may help prevent future episodes of both acute and chronic sinusitis.

Wash your hands frequently, especially during cold and flu seasons, to keep your sinuses from becoming irritated or infected by viruses or bacteria on your hands.

Using a humidifier during the cooler, dryer months may also help prevent sinus infections.

Talk with a doctor to see if allergies are causing your sinusitis. If youre allergic to something that causes persistent sinus symptoms, you will likely need to treat your allergies to relieve your sinus infection.

You may need to seek an allergy specialist to determine the cause of the allergy. The specialist may suggest:

Keeping your allergies under control can help prevent repeated episodes of sinusitis.

Ear Problems: Ear Infections In Adults And Kids

Adults and children get ear infections for the same reasons. Otitis media, an ear infection of the middle ear, occurs when the mucosa swells because of a cold, respiratory infection, or allergy, and the Eustachian tube gets blocked. Adults get fewer ear infections than kids because their Eustachian tubes are bigger and more angled. If you do get infections, you may have a Eustachian tube that genetically doesnt work correctly, Dr. Jones says. Other types of ear infections include otitis externa and otitis interna .

When left untreated, an ear infection can lead to a more serious infection, permanent hearing loss, and problems with speech and language development so speak to your doctor right away if you think you or child have an ear infection. The doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to kill the bacteria and recommend pain medications or prescription ear drops.

Recommended Reading: Can Sinus Infection Cause Ear Pain

Tips For Treating Chronic Sinus Infections

No matter the season, having a cold is never convenient. Its even worse when your cold turns into a sinus infection. A sinus infection will stick around long after symptoms of an upper respiratory infection are gone. You might even know its a sinus infection because you get sinus infections frequently. Perhaps your doctor diagnosed your sinus infection after you just couldnt seem to get better. After all, since almost 30 million Americans suffer from sinusitis, your doctor likely treats them a lot.

The question is, when do you need to see a specialist? If your sinus infection just isnt going away, or if you seem to get recurrent sinus infections, it may be time to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist.

Recommended Reading: Urgent Care For Infected Tattoo

Treatments For An Ear Infection

Symptoms of ear infections usually improve within the first couple of days, and most infections clear up on their own within one to two weeks without any medication or treatment. If your symptoms dont improve on their own, your physician will advise you on which treatments for pain from an ear infection. These may include the following:

  • A warm compress
  • Pain medication

Can Sinus Infections Lead To Ear Infections

Middle Ear Infection (Chronic Otitis Media) in Children

Yes. A sinus infection can cause fluid to be trapped in the ear behind the eardrum. Bacteria and viruses can grow and can cause an ear infection. Its especially important to get to the doctor if youre feeling pain or pressure in the ear.

When you have a sinus issue, its important to understand that the nose and sinuses are a unit. This means you could be dealing with rhinosinusitis, which is inflammation of the nasal and sinus cavities. Sinusitis refers to an infection of the sinuses only.

There are many reasons why the nose and sinuses become inflamed it can be an anatomical issue or an infectious one. A former injury or birth defect, as well as sensitivities to allergens can cause some of the physiological impairments that lead to sinus issues.

Also Check: Guidelines For Counseling A Person With Hiv Infection Include

What Is An Ear Infection

There are different types of ear infections. Middle ear infection is an infection in the middle ear.

Another condition that affects the middle ear is called otitis media with effusion. It occurs when fluid builds up in the middle ear without being infected and without causing fever, ear pain, or pus build-up in the middle ear.

When the outer ear canal is infected, the condition is called swimmers ear, which is different from a middle ear infection. For more information, visit Swimmers Ear .

Corticosteroid Drops Or Sprays

Corticosteroids, also known as steroids, are a group of medications that can help to reduce inflammation.

If you have persistent symptoms of sinusitis, your GP may prescribe steroid nasal drops or sprays to help reduce the swelling in your sinuses. These may need to be used for several months.

Possible side effects include nasal irritation, a sore throat and nosebleeds.

Read Also: How Not To Get A Yeast Infection While On Antibiotics

What Are The Six Types Of Sinusitis And Sinus Infections

Sinusitis may be classified in several ways, based on its duration and the type of inflammation . The term rhinosinusitis is used to imply that both the nose and sinuses are involved and is becoming the preferred term over sinusitis.

  • Acute sinus infection usually lasts less than 3-5 days.
  • Subacute sinus infection lasts one to three months.
  • Chronic sinus infection is greater than three months. Chronic sinusitis may be further sub-classified into chronic sinusitis with or without nasal polyps, or allergic fungal sinusitis.
  • Recurrent sinusitis has several sinusitis attacks every year.

There is no medical consensus on the above time periods.

  • Infected sinusitis usually is caused by an uncomplicated virus infection. Less frequently, bacterial growth causes sinus infection and fungal sinus infection is very infrequent. Subacute and chronic forms of a sinus infection usually are the result of incomplete treatment of an acute sinus infection.
  • Noninfectious sinusitis is caused by irritants and allergic conditions and follows the same general timeline for acute, subacute, and chronic as infectious sinusitis.

Diagnosis And Testing For Sinusitis

Sinusitis and Its Treatment | Todd Kingdom, MD, Ear, Nose and Throat | UCHealth

There are various tests that can and should be performed to confirm a diagnosis, determine the level of infection and check for other more serious issues.

A physical examination is completed, which includes a full head and neck examination so that more serious issues can be excluded. Swollen lymph nodes may occur in the neck if an infection is present, which is no different than the swelling of lymph nodes that accompanies an acute sore throat or ear infection .

Sinus palpation is used to determine the level of tenderness or swelling. When pain is experienced caused by the palpation, in the frontal or maxillary sinuses, it will be taken into consideration. A doctor may also use transillumination to look at the frontal and maxillary sinuses, though this is not always the most effective test.

The oral cavity and oropharynx is examined to evaluate the palate and condition of dentition, as well as looking for evidence of postnasal drip.

Anterior rhinoscopy, conducted with a nasal speculum, is used to examine the condition of the mucus membranes to look for evidence of purulent drainage or to look for signs of polyps or other masses. This examination is carried out with the use of a nasal decongestant, with treatments both before and after.

An ear examination may be carried out to inspect for possible middle ear fluid. This could be a sign of a mass or growth in the nasopharynx .

  • Conjunctival congestion
  • Proptosis and visual disturbances

You May Like: Vaginal Yeast Infection Or Uti

Chronic Sinusitis Complications: Decreased Sense Of Smell

Of all the chronic sinusitis complications, decreased sense of smell is perhaps the most obvious. Also known as hyposmia, nasal obstruction and inflammation to the olfactory nerve can cause a partial loss of smell.

However, if chronic sinusitis goes untreated, this could turn to anosmia, or the complete loss of smell. While steroid nasal sprays can temporarily help, its possible to incur permanent damage to your sense of smell.

How Do You Treat A Sinus Infection

Treatment for acute and chronic sinus infections include self-care, over-the-counter and prescription medications, and sinus surgery, if necessary, to enlarge the opening to the sinuses or address other anatomical issues.

Your doctor may also recommend a combination of over-the-counter and prescription medications, including:

  • Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
  • Steroid nasal sprays
  • Saline nasal irrigations

Patients with sinusitis often go to the doctor expecting to get a prescription for an antibiotic. If you have signs of a sinus infection, talk to your doctor about whether an antibiotic is appropriate to treat the type of infection that you have. Dr. Takashima warns that we must be vigilant about not treating viral infections with antibiotics, which only work on bacterial infections, to prevent creating superbugs antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Recommended Reading: Antibiotics Used For Bladder Infections

How Can A Sinus Infection Affect Your Ears

Most sinusitis-related ear problems, including tinnitus, are caused by the congestion that occurs during a sinus infection. To better understand this phenomenon, lets take a second to review a few facts about sinusitis.

Sinusitis most frequently occurs when a virus or bacteria irritates the tissues of your sinus cavities. This irritation can lead to swelling which, in turn, can lead to mucus buildup and congestion.

Your sinus cavities and ears are interconnected systems, so congestion in the sinuses can create ear congestion, as well. Congestion in the ear may block the tube known as the Eustachian Tube that connects the middle ear to the outer ear and helps regulate pressure within the ear. When the Eustachian Tube is blocked, the pressure is allowed to build up around the eardrum, which is ultimately what causes ringing in the ears, aka tinnitus.

Whether you have an acute sinus infection or a sinus infection that wont go away, so long as the congestion is severe enough, it can cause tinnitus.

Also Check: How Often To Use Saline Nasal Spray For Sinus Infection

Treatment For Persistent Sinus Infections And Ear Infections

What is the best way to cure chronic sinus problems permanently?

Having a sinus infection is never pleasant, especially if it leads to an ear infection. Luckily, Kaplan Sinus Relief is here to help with all of your sinus issues. Dr. Kaplan uses an innovative treatment named Balloon Sinuplasty to clear your sinus passageways by inserting and inflating a small balloon.

A minimally invasive procedure, Balloon Sinuplastys success rate is incredibly high. This treatment is painless, requires minimal recovery time, and requires only local anesthesia. Patients can often resume their daily activities within two days of the procedure. Balloon Sinuplasty is an effective treatment for all who suffer from the difficulty of sinus infections.

Recommended Reading: Does An Ear Infection Go Away On Its Own

The Surprising Connection Between Sinus Infections And Ear Infections

Its 2018, and the Texas weather still cant make up its mind. The fluctuations in temperature, air pressure, and air moisture are causing sinus misery from Galveston to Conroe. As if dealing with one type of infection isnt hard enough, sinus infections and ear infections can often occur at the same time. Read on to understand the relationship between these two pain-causing companions.

How Is Smelly Earwax Treated

Its important to not stick objects in your ear in an attempt to get rid of the wax. This includes cotton swabs and paper clips. Trying to dig out the problem can cause objects to lodge further into the ear. It can also seriously damage your eardrum or ear canal.

Home remedies will partly depend on the cause of your smelly earwax.

Also Check: What Antibiotic Is Prescribed For Ear Infection

How Is Chronic Sinusitis Diagnosed

Chronic sinusitis is diagnosed when symptoms of a sinus infection have continued for more than 12 weeks. In some cases, your doctor may use an endoscope .

A CT scan or MRI could also be used to look for structural issues. Structural problems usually include a deviated nasal septum or polyps .

In very few cases, your provider might order a biopsy to see if the infection has spread. Biopsies involve taking tissue or bone samples to example under the microscope.

How Serious Can A Sinus Infection Get

Ear & Sinus Problems : How to Treat a Sinus Infection

More than 30 million Americans experience a sinus infection each year. They can come and go quickly or linger for months at a time. While most infections are no cause for alarm, sinus infections can become serious if not treated properly. Understanding the signs and symptoms can ensure you seek treatment when needed.

Don’t Miss: Amoxicillin 875 Mg Tablet For Tooth Infection

Throat Symptoms: Strep Throat And Other Infections

Strep throat is an infection caused by a form of the Streptococcus bacteria, Jones says. Doctors test for strep when someone has a sore throat because of its dangerous complications, such as heart problems that can happen later if the strep is not treated. Strep throat is most common in children between the ages of 5 and 15, and symptoms of strep include sore throat, swollen tonsils, telltale white patches on the throat, fever, body aches, and even stomach pain. Strep throat should be treated with an antibiotic. Not all sore throats are strep throat if your strep test is negative, your sore throat is probably due to a virus and wont respond to antibiotics.

What Are The Different Types Of Sinus Infections

Sinusitis is categorized based on how long the condition lasts as well as its frequency:

  • Acute sinusitis usually lasts a few weeks, but less than a month. There is a subcategory of acute sinusitis, called recurrent acute sinusitis, which occurs when someone gets four or more sinus infections in a year, with symptoms resolving after each one.
  • Subacute sinusitis lasts one to three months.
  • Chronic sinusitis lasts three months or more.

You May Like: Antibiotic For Sinus Infection And Uti

Sinus Infections And Other Health Effects

Aside from ear pain and dizziness, a sinus infection can also cause temporary hearing loss. Sinus-related hearing loss occurs when the infection spreads to the ears, specifically the middle ear. Hearing can become affected if inflammation puts pressure on the ear drum. This inflammation can cause discharge of fluid and the build-up of fluid in the eardrum, which leads to pain and temporary hearing loss.

When the fluid and pressure are relieved the hearing loss will reverse, and you can go back to hearing how you previously did, prior to the infection. If the fluid does not drain commonly seen in children the continuous pressure can cause the eardrum to burst, which contributes to permanent hearing loss.

Its important to prevent sinus infections as well as treating them right away, so that you dont encounter any complications.

Other health complications that can stem from a sinus infection are headaches and throat problems, such as coughing or a sore throat.

How To Treat The Infection

Otitis Media

First, you can try some home remedies to reduce the pain. But if it does not go well, then you should contact an ENT specialist. The expert may give medications or antibiotics to reduce the symptoms if you are suffering from mild to moderate infection. But if the problem is severe, then the doctor may lance the eardrum to let the infection drain out.

Don’t Miss: Sinus Infection Turned Into Bronchitis

What The Treatment For Sinus Infections

In order to eradicate the infection, youll need an antibiotic.

Some people continue to experience a lingering sinus infection even after antibiotics. Sinuses are considered a closed cavity. Removing infection from a closed cavity can require more prolonged antibiotic usage compared to infections that occur in an open cavity .

A sinus infection might require 2-4 weeks of antibiotics plus additional methods to encourage drainage of the sinuses. For a sinus infection to clear completely, we often recommend saline sprays, topical steroid sprays , and decongestants in addition to an antibiotic.

When To See A Doctor

Usually, ear problems related to a sinus issue arenât severe and donât last long. Most of the time, they go away on their own. See your doctor if:

  • You have a fever.
  • You have head, face, or ear pain, or swelling that doesnât get better with non-prescription medication.
  • Your symptoms last for more than a week or keep coming back.

Show Sources

American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery: âSinusitis â âDizziness and Motion Sickness â and âSinus Pain: Can Over-the-Counter Medications Help?â

Divers Alert Network: âEars and Sinuses — Instructions for Equalizing Ears and Sinuses.â

Harvard Medical School, Womenâs Health Watch: âWhat to Do About Sinusitis.â

Tampa Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates: âSinusitis.â

Lindsey, H. ENT Today, July 2009.

You May Like: What Antibiotics For Middle Ear Infection

Do You Need Antibiotics For A Sinus Infection

A viral sinus infection will likely resolve itself on its own, but it can take a few weeks to do so. If the sinus infection is caused by bacteria, it is likely to need antibiotics in order to resolve. But antibiotics arent a cure-all. They will not cure a sinus infection that was caused by a virus or an irritant in the air.

How To Treat An Ear Infection

Sinusitis

For mild to moderate ear infection pain, your doctor may decide to prescribe pain medication, ear drops and/or antibiotics to clear out the infection. For serious ear pain, your doctor may decide to lance your eardrum to let the infection drain out before the healing process begins.

Acute otitis media typically requires treatment from a physician.

Recommended Reading: What Kind Of Doctor Treats Eye Infections

More articles

Popular Articles