Sinus infection. HELP!

[hiaasenrocks]

Does anyone have any good remedies/ideas for dealing with a sinus infection, namely the pressure?

I'm not big on medicines, so I guess I'm looking for something...different?

I tried the warm water/salt syringe deal. Works pretty well, but it's messy and doesn't provide long-lasting relief.

I can usually beat these things by following a strict diet of: lots of Vitamin C, zinc/Echinacea lozenges, and plenty of fluids. But this frigging sinus pressure is driving me nuts.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

(And, considering that I'm sick, I should be able to sleep tonight, so I'll be wide awake tomorrow for Indictment Day. I hope.)

[flvegan]

1. Okay, but trust me

you don't have to, but it's worked for me, and the advice came from a personal friend who is a doctor...

Get some Afrin, or like sinus clearing med. Add a tiiiiiiiiinnnnyyyyy bit of rubbing alcohol with the slightest pinch of hydrogen peroxide. Gone in 2 days.

Also works on ear infections.

Cool screen name. I trust you dig the author?

[hiaasenrocks]

6. Thanks.

That sounds interesting. Maybe a last resort, though. LOL.

Yes, Hiaasen is my favorite author.

[flvegan]

9. Absolutely a last resort.

You should see a Dr. first.

Hiaasen is a local favorite...a Florida keepsake.

I've met him a couple times. GREAT person. Funny!

[hiaasenrocks]

14. I'm envious of your having met him.

He doesn't seem to do big tours for book signings. Oh well. Maybe someday...

[flvegan]

18. Again, I'm in Florida, so

his book signings naturally run through the area (plus, we have a KICK-ASS indie book store here (Inkwood Books, here's a plug...love ya!).

I think that he doesn't do them, because he doesn't have to.

If you want something signed, let me know. Next time he comes round...

[hiaasenrocks]

20. Very cool.

Thanks for the offer! If you have any idea when you may get the chance, send me a message if you don't mind. I might take you up on that.

[flvegan]

24. I will. Promise.

Next time he comes around, I'll let you know and we'll work out the details.

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. Call your doctor.

DU members are not qualified to give medical information.

[hiaasenrocks]

8. I know that. And...

I'm not going to hold anyone accountable. I consider this no different than a friend or co-worker passing along a home remedy. No big deal.

[bliss_eternal]

3. Try holding your head

over a bowl or pot of steaming water--just not close enough to get burned. Be safe, don't do this in a way that you could accidentally knock the pot or bowl over and burn yourself. Drape your head with a towel or blanket to contain the steam close to you.

Hot or very warm compresses on your head and face in the areas where the pressure is the worst, can help relieve some pressure as well. Just don't put anything so hot on your face that you burn yourself--as warm as YOU can take it, of course.

Drinking a lot of water and other fluids, can help get the mucous flowing so you don't feel as plugged up.

Hope this helps, and hope you feel better soon! :hug:

[hiaasenrocks]

10. Thanks!

That's exactly the type of thing I was looking for. Will give it a try. And thanks for the well-wishes!

[sendero]

4. Is it an infection?

Or sinusitus. It's hard for even a doctor to know for sure without doing a culture.

Personally, my belief is that if it is an actual bacterial infection you will have it a very long time without antibiotics.

If it is in fact sinusitus, you will get over it quicker. If you tend to have seasonal allergies, I'm betting it is sinusitus.

Other than sinus irrigation (I use warm salt water), I don't know of any good tricks - antihistimines will help some, time will help more.

Either way I feel your pain, I used to get that crap every damn fall, and I love the fall :)

[hiaasenrocks]

11. It probably isn't an infection. You're right and...

sorry for the misuse of the word. I guess if I am seeking advice I should know the correct terminology!

I get this about twice a year, lasts under a week. I'm in day three right now...

[sendero]

16. I know you said you didn't like drugs..

.... but the nasal corticosteroids like Flonase work wonders for this problem. What has probably happened is that your sinus walls are in a continual state of inflammation due to allergic responses.

Once they get this way, every so often the inflammation will "boil over" and you get an attack.

The corticosteroids help you heal the sinus walls, and once they are healed this problem will stay under control.

These products are kind of expensive but they have few side effects and are very effective.

[hiaasenrocks]

19. Thanks.

Part of the reason I stay away from the medicines is my life-long irritating trouble with irregular (and otherwise harmless) heartbeats. Many of these type meds contain stimulants, which adversely affect heart-rate/beats.

[sendero]

21. This..

... stuff is prescription only, and it will not affect anything like your heartbeat.

I know, some of those antihistimines and decongestants are wicked!

[slay]

5. I know this is going to sound crazy but

if the pressure is particularly on the left or the right side, you can take your thumbnail and press it between your back two upper teeth on the side with the pressure and it will diminish significantly. This fix doesn't really help long term unfortunately, but it can be a real blessing if you're in need of some quick instant relief. :)

[hiaasenrocks]

12. Yep. On the right side only.

I'll try that, too! Thanks.

[Floogeldy]

7. YOU MUST HAVE ANTIBIOTICS.

!

[hiaasenrocks]

13. I get this twice a year and it always goes away

inside of a week. I think, as another poster mentioned, I used the incorrect terminology. It's most likely sinusitis.

[Floogeldy]

26. Perhaps you should change the title of your post.

Infections are bugs that need to be killed by other bigger and badder bugs.

Your phony cry for help could mislead others.

[Lex]

15. Do you know what a Neti Pot is?

I swear by a Neti Pot.

You can get one at Whole Foods or a Trader Joe's type store.

http://www.bytheplanet.com/Products/Yoga/Neti/Articles/sinusrelief.htm

[hiaasenrocks]

17. I haven't heard of that before. Thanks.

And what a great picture on the website! LOL

I pretty much use a syringe and warm salt water. Same thing, I'm guessing...

[sundog]

22. i just had one

along with an ear infection :party:

got some antibiotics

doing better now :7

[hickman1937]

23. A long time ago I had a sinus infection.

I was at work and miserable. A friend of mine came up behind me and gave me a neck and head massage, and all of a sudden my nose opened up like a waterfall. Face ache went away, nose ran for a half hour. I never found out what exactly he did(he got transfered out of the area) but I wish I had.

[tjwash]

25. Antibiotics, now.

I had a real bad one quite a few years ago when I was still indestructable, and ended up putting it off so long, thinking that my body would fight it off, it started infecting the lining of my skull, millimeters away from my brain.

I'll spare you the gruesome details of what followed, lets just say GET YOUR ASS TO A DOCTOR!(pretty please?) This is your health we are talking about here.

[NV Whino]

27. Infection means antibiotics

Go see a doctor and get them.

Most often I can stave off an infection with decongestants, salt water washes, drinking lots of water and what have you--anything to keep the sinuses open and draining, but once in a while it's the doctor and antibiotic time. Don't hesitate when it hits that stage.

[southlandshari]

28. Locking

With regrets. Some good answers here, but it really is best that medical advice be given by medical professionals. With medical malpractice insurance. ;)

Please send me - or another moderator - a PM if you have questions about this lock. Or you can contact our administrators (my bosses) here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/contact.html

Thanks for understanding. And hiaasenrocks -- Get Well Soon!

:D

southlandshari
DU Moderator