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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Sinusitis And Insomnia
Question: Hi, Ive been sick for about 3 months. Upper resp infection, chronic sinusitis, ears full of fluid...3 antibiotics later, and a steroid...
Prescriptions taken to the full extent..
Now I am feeling very lightheaded, headache for the past few days, still congested, and breathing is heavy like Im not getting all the oxygen. insomnia pretty bad as well. some congestion in my chest.
Prescriptions taken to the full extent..
Now I am feeling very lightheaded, headache for the past few days, still congested, and breathing is heavy like Im not getting all the oxygen. insomnia pretty bad as well. some congestion in my chest.
Brief Answer:
Antihistamines and local steroids used together might be very helpful
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
The most likely cause of a chronic sinusitis is what is called allergic rhinosinusitis. This tends to generally be seasonal and most people have it in certain periods of the year while only few have it all the year long depending on the cause of it.
Antibiotics are helpful if secondary infection complicates the chronic rhinosinusitis.
What I would advise is:
1. do nasal lavage with saline solution daily and sometimes even 2-3 times a day to loosen your secretions and help them drain.
2. antihistamines daily, mostly at night to reduce allergic response of the body
3. nasal steroid spray twice a day each nostril for at least a month before you say it is not helping. If it helps you have to take it at least 3 months and than try off for a couple of months and restart if needed. Combining the steroids with the antihistamines sometimes is very helpful.
4. inhaled steroids might help with the chest tightness and congestion you are feeling, using it twice a day for at least a month also is advisable and up to a few months if it is helping and decide with the doctor on the further use of it.
5. make sure you notice what makes you congestion worse and try to avoid it. See from flowers that can be at home, to deodorants or detergents and certain food also. Avoiding the cause of an allergy is the best treatment of it.
6. use painkillers for the headache like ibuprofen after food and paracetamol
7. if you are smoking this is a good time to consider to quit smoking as smoking can irritate the nose and sinusal mucosa.
8. please do not use nasal decongestants for longer than 5 days as they might cause rebound congestion which means make the congestion worse when you stop them if used longer than 5 days.
I hope this is helpful to you and answers to your question but please feel free to contact me if anymore clarifications are needed.
Kind regards
Dr Antoneta Zotaj
Antihistamines and local steroids used together might be very helpful
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
The most likely cause of a chronic sinusitis is what is called allergic rhinosinusitis. This tends to generally be seasonal and most people have it in certain periods of the year while only few have it all the year long depending on the cause of it.
Antibiotics are helpful if secondary infection complicates the chronic rhinosinusitis.
What I would advise is:
1. do nasal lavage with saline solution daily and sometimes even 2-3 times a day to loosen your secretions and help them drain.
2. antihistamines daily, mostly at night to reduce allergic response of the body
3. nasal steroid spray twice a day each nostril for at least a month before you say it is not helping. If it helps you have to take it at least 3 months and than try off for a couple of months and restart if needed. Combining the steroids with the antihistamines sometimes is very helpful.
4. inhaled steroids might help with the chest tightness and congestion you are feeling, using it twice a day for at least a month also is advisable and up to a few months if it is helping and decide with the doctor on the further use of it.
5. make sure you notice what makes you congestion worse and try to avoid it. See from flowers that can be at home, to deodorants or detergents and certain food also. Avoiding the cause of an allergy is the best treatment of it.
6. use painkillers for the headache like ibuprofen after food and paracetamol
7. if you are smoking this is a good time to consider to quit smoking as smoking can irritate the nose and sinusal mucosa.
8. please do not use nasal decongestants for longer than 5 days as they might cause rebound congestion which means make the congestion worse when you stop them if used longer than 5 days.
I hope this is helpful to you and answers to your question but please feel free to contact me if anymore clarifications are needed.
Kind regards
Dr Antoneta Zotaj
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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