Myths Evolving Around Sinusitis

myths

You might know something about your condition if you are familiar with the sometimes weakening symptoms of sinusitis and you need to do acute sinusitis treatment.

Sinusitis Is Contagious

Sinusitis is not infectious in itself, but, if you catch a viral infection like a cold or flu it may lead to sinusitis. You may be contagious if the source of your sinusitis is a viral infection – but it does not mean that the next person is also affected.

Nasal Spray Can Relieve Congestion

Nasal spray could provide short-term congestion relief but as long-lasting treatment, it is not viable. Certain nasal sprays will not be used for longer than a few days and dependence on the product can be developed for longer periods of use.

Nasal dependency on a spray is so well known that the term "rhinitis medicamentosa" even has a name. This describes the negative nasal congestion which develops longer than the recommended time after using nasal decongestants.

For a Sinus Infection, You Always Need Antibiotics.

That's not right. The need of antibiotics for a patient depends on the cause of sinusitis. Sinusitis can be a viral or bacterial infection or persistent allergies, either acute (less than one week) or chronic (long-term for a few months).

Many patients diagnosed with sinusitis often take unnecessary antibiotics because no bacterial infection can be treated, according to the Massachussets Eye and Ear institution. The patient does not improve and bacteria which are resistant to antibiotic therapy can ultimately be created.

Operation Is the Only Chronic Syndrome Treatment

Operation is sometimes one of the last options for patients with chronic sinusitis. This is not because surgery is ineffective; instead, patients are provided with medical therapies which can delay or prevent surgery.

Some therapies for acute sinusitis treatment also include oral medications:

  • Topical drugs (nasal spray or irrigation)

  • Therapies for allergies such as shots

  • Other treatments like acupuncture

  • Nasal or sinus surgery of only one type.

When people think of sinus operation, many think about fixing a deviated septum, and although this is one of the more common types of nasal operation, it is not the only one.

Deviated septum operation: Many symptoms of a deviated nasal cord are caused by a crooked septum (the part dividing the right side of the nose and left of the nose). This shift is causing blockage and breathing problems through your nose for many. In order to improve nasal respiration, the procedure is to move the bone and cartilage into the midline.

Operation with sinus does not work.

Sinus surgery has been very successful for some patients in improving their quality of life. One of the most common myths you could hear is the notion that sinus surgery is inoperative. For those considering sinus operation, it is important to see what the operation will do, whether it will improve nasal respiration or block the sinuses.

Visit us at OKOA for acute sinusitis treatment and for more treatment if you are suffering from allergy or other ENT problems.

**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.