Acute Sinusitis

Acute sinusitis is in some cases precipitated by an earlier upper respiratory tract infection, generally of viral origin. Virally damaged surface tissues are then colonized by bacteria, the most common being Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Staphylococcus aureus. Other bacterial pathogens include other streptococci species, anaerobic bacteria and, less commonly, gram negative bacteria. Another possible cause of some cases of sinusitis can be dental issues that affect the maxillary sinus. Acute sinusitis can also result from fungal invasion and many studies have shown that a high percentage of sinus infections are as a result of fungus.  These infections are most often seen in patients who have diabetes or other immune system deficiencies (AIDS or transplant patients on anti-rejection medications for example) and then can be life threatening. And in type I diabetes, ketoacidosis causes sinusitis by Mucormycosis. Sinus Cure Report

Acute Sinusitis Treatment

The usual course of treatment has been over the counter medicines that can relieve some of the symptoms associated with sinusitis, such as headaches, pressure, fatigue and pain. Usually these are a combination of some kind of antihistamine along with decongestant or pain reliever. In the past seeing a doctor would usually result in a prescription for antibiotics and a recommendation for rest. the antibiotics need a course of ten days and then it might still come back or not work at all.

Other therapeutic measures range from the medicinal to the traditional have included nasal irrigation using a warm saline solution, hot drinks including tea and chicken soup, inhaling steam, over-the-counter decongestants and saline nasal sprays, and getting plenty of rest. Analgesics (such as aspirin, paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen) have be used, but caution must be employed to make sure the patient does not suffer from aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) as this could lead to anaphylaxis. Also these medicines will not cure sinusitis and may cause other temporary or permanent organ issues.

In the past if sinusitis didn't improve within 48 hours, or was causing significant pain, a doctor might prescribe antibiotics (Amoxicillin usually being the most common) with amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin/Co-Amoxiclav) being indicated for patients who would fail amoxicillin alone. Fluoroquinolones would be used in patients who are allergic to amoxicillin and other penicillins.

It's important to note that a recent British study has found that for most cases of acute sinusitis, antibiotics and nasal corticosteroids worked no better than a placebo. it's a shame that so many people have been exposed to these medicines and medications over the years.  they may have done more damage than letting the sinusitis run its course.  As I mention on the home page, using Nasaline completely solved my sinusitis problems. So simple. And no exposure to harmful medicines. Sinus Cure Report