Drugs for sinusitis
introduction
There are two forms of sinusitis (sinusitis): acute and the chronic form. The acute form occurs over a limited period of time, while the chronic form occurs after around two to three months. This subdivision is also relevant to the treatment used.
Is Sinus Infection Contagious? Find out more at How contagious is a sinus infection
Which drugs are used?
- cortisone
In addition to sprays containing salt water, cortisone-containing nasal sprays are often used as nasal sprays, as these inhibit inflammation, which can cause the sinus mucous membrane to swell. The effect of the cortisone is delayed after a few days, although there are also some patients in whom the effect does not develop. In some cases, side effects such as headaches and nosebleeds occur. In contrast to cortisone sprays, decongestant nasal sprays (salt water sprays) take effect immediately.
Read more on the topic: Nasal spray with cortisone
- Painkiller
Common pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol can be used to treat the accompanying pain. However, unlike cortisone, these do not fight the actual cause of the inflammation, but are only symptom-relieving, so that the duration of the illness is not shortened.
- Decongestant nasal sprays
Decongestant nasal sprays are often recommended by the treating physicians. They reduce swelling of the mucous membranes with a rapid onset of action, so that better nasal breathing is possible and you can sleep better at night. However, these nasal sprays do not have anti-inflammatory effects like cortisone sprays, so they only have a short-term effect. If used too often, a so-called "Rebound effect", in which the nasal mucous membrane swells immediately after the effect has subsided. The more frequently you use the spray, the stronger this rebound effect is. Because of this, you shouldn't use these decongestant nasal sprays for longer than a maximum of seven to ten days apply.
As a result, there is a risk that an addiction will develop, so that the nasal mucosa no longer swells without these sprays. One then speaks of a rhinits medicamentosa or rhinitis atrophicans. The active ingredients are among the so-called alpha-sympathomimetics. These are substances that imitate the action of the sympathetic system by creating a vasoconstrictive Have an effect, which means that the vessels of the nasal mucous membrane are narrowed, causing the mucous membrane to swell. The most common ingredient in decongestant nasal sprays is xylometazoline, and oxymetazoline and tramazoline are also common ingredients. These decongestant sprays are only available from a pharmacy, but do not require a prescription. Headache and dizziness may occur as side effects of nasal decongestant sprays.
Read more on the topic: Nasal spray - There is also the option of treatment with the herbal medicine Sinupret ®forte or Sinupret ® drops.
Antibiotic therapy for a sinus infection
Antibiotics are rarely used to treat sinus infections because antibiotics are only used against bacteria work and a sinus infection usually through Viruses which antibiotics have no effect on. Even if a bacterial pathogen has been proven to be the cause, antibiotics are of little use, because sinusitis usually heals even without medical intervention. However, if the symptoms persist for a longer period of time, the doctor may consider taking antibiotics again.
Overall, as with other illnesses, antibiotics should not be used unnecessarily or in mild illnesses in order to prevent the pathogen from developing resistance. However, should a severe course become apparent, the use of antibiotics is indispensable to prevent further complications, such as a Meningitis, to protect. Signs for a severe course are high fever, Swelling around the eyes, severe facial pain, sensitivity to light, inflammatory skin redness as well Stiff neck.
Read extensive information under our topic: Treatment of a sinus infection with antibiotics
What are the antibiotics of choice?
For acute sinusitis, the first choice is the antibiotic amoxicillin. This is usually prescribed for a period of 5 to 10 days in a dose of 500 mg three times a day. Amoxicillin is effective against the common pathogens of acute sinus infections and is well tolerated. Side effects such as allergic reactions, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can occur.
Alternatively, azithromycin can be prescribed at the same dosage. Another alternative, for example in the case of intolerance to the first two antibiotics, is cefuroxime. It is prescribed in a dosage of 250 mg twice a day. In addition to first-choice antibiotics, there are also second-choice drugs. These can be used if the first-choice antibiotics are not tolerated or do not work well. Second-choice antibiotics are, for example, macrolides, doxycilin or amoxicillin + clavulanic acid.Which antibiotic is most suitable is determined based on various criteria. These include, for example, tolerance, the general condition of the patient and locally known resistance to pathogens. In chronic sinusitis, the benefits of antibiotics are very controversial. In individual cases, a therapy attempt lasting several weeks with the antibiotic roxithromycin at a dose of 150 mg per day or cefuroxime / amoxicillin + clavulanic acid can be considered.
Natural remedies for sinus infections
Medication does not always have to be taken; natural products are also often used. One of the most common in sinus infections is this essential oil of myrtle Recommended by doctors. It has anti-inflammatory effects and is available in capsule form from pharmacies. The roots of the Cowslip. The ingredients liquefy the secretion and thus promote expectoration. The roots can be consumed in the form of a tea. A steam bath is also often used, which comes with thyme, chamomile and lavender is moved.
Each of the three herbs has its own effect. Thyme is germ-inhibiting and expectorant, while chamomile is anti-inflammatory and limits the growth of bacteria. Lavender also promotes blood circulation. For the steam bath, the herbs are first boiled. Also the extract of Cape Pelargonium Root (Umckaloabo) can generally be used for respiratory infections. Umckaloabo has an antimicrobial effect and overall strengthens the body's defenses. When using essential oils, one should be especially careful with children, as these often occur menthol or contain similar substances that can lead to respiratory failure in young children. Children under two years of age should not come into contact with essential oils, while older children should also be careful when using them.
A can also promote healing Irradiation Be with red light over an infrared lamp, as repeated exposure to red light will contain the inflammation.
When are antibiotics prescribed to treat sinus infections?
Most of the time, sinus infections are caused by viruses. Diseases caused by viruses do not respond to antibiotics. Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria. Therefore, general administration of antibiotics for sinus infections does not make sense. As a result, the healing process cannot be accelerated and the careless consumption of antibiotics only promotes the fact that bacteria become resistant and respond less well to medication. Therefore, antibiotics are very cautious in the prescription of sinus infections. However, there are cases when an antibiotic makes perfect sense.
Sinus infections are rarely caused by bacteria. In most cases, however, it is a so-called secondary infection. This means that a virus initially caused the inflammation. Then a bacterial pathogen attaches itself and a secondary bacterial infection occurs. However, in practice it is not always that easy to distinguish a bacterial infection from a viral infection. Therefore, antibiotics are only prescribed for very severe pain with a high fever above 38.5 ° C and high levels of inflammation in the blood. The CRP value, which is rated as high from a value of 10 mg / l, and the sedimentation rate (men> 10 mm / h, women> 20 mm / h) are measured. Another reason for antibiotic therapy is impending complications, such as an abscess or venous thrombosis. Ultimately, if certain bacteria (pneumococci, Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenza) are reliably detected in the nasal swab, an antibiotic should be considered useful. In people with immunodeficiency, the use of antibiotics should be considered even if these criteria are not met. In the case of chronic sinusitis, it is very controversial whether antibiotics are even useful. In some cases, therapy lasting several weeks can be considered. This is decided individually.
Chronic sinus infection
Is there a chronic sinus infection before, the attending physician should always be consulted to clarify the cause. Also found here Nasal irrigation and Inhalations with salt water their application to loosen the mucus inside the sinuses. Often the doctor still prescribes locally effective Cortisone supplementsthat are directed against inflammation. In part, a sinus infection can also be caused by a allergy provoked, in this case one comes desensitization into consideration. Chronic sinusitis usually has to be treated surgically, as certain anatomical conditions favor the development of a sinus infection, such as a crooked one Nasal septum, narrowed exit ducts of the sinuses or Nasal polypsthat need to be removed.
