How to cure sinus permanently?
Updated: Sep 5
Understand the Causes of Sinus Issues
Sinusitis is a condition that can happen when you get a common cold, especially if you have underlying conditions. Instead of getting better within a week, the cold can move into your sinuses and cause fluid to build up. The stagnated fluids become an excellent environment for bacteria and fungus to grow, which can lead to an infection of the sinus walls. When the walls of your sinuses swell up, they can close the drainage pathways and cause even more fluid buildup.
There are three main reasons why the common cold transforms into sinusitis in few people:
Allergies
Problems with the drainage pathway in the sinuses
Having a weaker immune system
You can read our article "What causes sinusitis infection?" for more information.
Author's approach to permanent sinusitis cure
Sinusitis may seem harmless, but if left untreated, it can lead to dangerous complications such as asthma, ear infections, and even loss of vision or brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis, leading to death. That's why it's crucial to start treatment as early as possible.
Dr. K. R. Meghanadh, our expert author, believes that antibiotics should be used early in sinusitis treatment to prevent complications and avoid surgery. While natural home remedies will show results, they cannot guarantee a complete cure, and the healing process can be unpredictable.
That's why Dr. Meghanadh recommends a combination of antibiotics and natural home remedies to speed up recovery. By starting treatment early and following a comprehensive approach, you can quickly cure sinusitis and avoid dangerous complications and unnecessary surgery.
Try Natural Remedies to Relieve Symptoms
Maintaining a balance between immunity and the disease is crucial in curing sinusitis. It's essential to keep the infection at bay while boosting your immunity.
Our experts recommend five natural remedies to help you fight this disease.
Workouts
Steam inhalations
Spices to boost immunity
Staying hydrated
Adequate sleep
For more details on implementing these remedies and gaining their benefits, read our article "Sinusitis relief with home remedies."
Consider Medical Treatments for Sinusitis
An ENT doctor may suggest using antibiotics and other supportive medications to treat sinusitis. However, if the infection is severe, there are complications, or the patient is not responding to the medicines, the doctor may recommend sinus surgery.
Antibiotics to cure sinus
The antibiotics prescribed for sinusitis and the duration of treatment may vary depending on several factors, such as the infection's severity, the sinusitis's stage, the amount of infection in the sinuses, and the patient's immune system. It is important to follow your doctor's instructions regarding the course of antibiotics and complete the full course, even if symptoms start to improve.
Starting antibiotic treatment for sinusitis early can result in a shorter course of medication, which can vary from 10 days to 6 months. This is why our author recommends the early use of antibiotics to resolve the issue with minimal medication. One can also use natural home remedies in conjunction with antibiotics to help shorten the duration of treatment.
It is important to note that antibiotics used for sinusitis will not have side effects and are relatively safe. But, if you wait for the infection to resolve itself and if the infection moves to the lungs, it can cause asthma, whose antibiotics and other medication will have side effects.
Other supportive medication that is required for sinus issues
In addition to antibiotics, other supportive medications may be necessary to manage sinusitis symptoms effectively. For instance, the doctor may prescribe anti-allergic medications if the underlying cause of sinusitis is an allergy. Decongestants such as xylometazoline and oxymetazoline (such as Otrivin nasal drops) can help relieve nasal congestion and improve breathing. It's essential to follow the advice of a healthcare professional when taking any medications to treat sinusitis or other medical conditions.
Permanent cure with sinus surgery
While antibiotics and home remedies are often effective in treating sinusitis permanently, some cases may require more aggressive treatment. For example, a healthcare professional may recommend sinus surgery if the infection is severe or the patient is not responding to medications. Surgery may also be recommended if a patient experiences recurrent attacks of infection that significantly affect their quality of life or lead to complications. It is crucial to consult a qualified ENT doctor with experience in treating sinusitis. They can diagnose accurately and recommend appropriate treatment options based on your condition.
Dr. K. R. Meghanadh recommends a Total Fronto Spheno Ethmoidectomy (TFSE) sinus surgery, with advanced technologies such as navigation systems, debriders, and EBS. The TFSE technique is preferred over the basic Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) as it opens all the sinuses in the head, which can be around 40 in number, rather than the 4 to 5 sinuses typically opened in FESS. Opening all sinuses clears the infection and provides long-lasting relief from sinusitis, with a success rate of up to 90%. In contrast, the success rate of basic FESS is only around 30%, and the results tend to deteriorate within three years, with 70% of patients experiencing a recurrence of sinus infection.
TFSE surgery is a standardized approach to sinus surgery that ensures all sinuses are opened and treated effectively, which is not always the case with FESS due to the various formats in which it is performed. With additional equipment and technology, like navigation systems, debriders, and EBS, the success rate of TFSE surgery can exceed 99.9%, offering a permanent cure for sinus.
Maintain Good Sinus Health to Prevent Future Issues
While surgery or antibiotics may provide relief from sinusitis, it is important to address underlying factors that may lead to the recurrence of the issue. Although surgery can correct anatomical anomalies, it does not address underlying conditions such as allergies or a weakened immune system. Therefore, it is essential to take steps to address these factors for a permanent cure.
For individuals with allergies, sticking to prescribed anti-allergic medications and avoiding known allergens can be helpful. Likewise, people with low immunity should maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes adequate sleep, regular exercise, and a balanced diet to boost their immune system.
FAQs
How to cure sinusitis?
The approach to cure sinusitis depends on the stage of the disease. A brief course of antibiotics under an ENT doctor's guidance can effectively manage the infection in its early stages. However, as the disease progresses, the bacteria change, the antibiotics change, the duration of antibiotic treatment may need to be extended, and the chances of needing sinus surgery will increase.
We have five home remedies listed in the above article that help in the process of curing sinusitis.
Can sinus be cured permanently?
Yes, with the guidance of an ENT doctor, anyone can achieve a permanent cure for sinusitis. Early treatment is crucial to avoid complications and worsen the condition. The approach to treatment varies depending on the stage of the disease. In addition, utilizing home remedies can aid in recovery.
Check out our "Stages of Sinusitis" article to better understand your condition.
Later, look at our "Sinusitis Treatment" blog for information on how an ENT doctor will approach treatment for each stage.
What is the fastest way to cure sinusitis?
The fastest way to cure sinusitis is to consult an ENT. It's essential to recognize that even if the symptoms of sinusitis temporarily disappear, the infection itself may persist. Therefore, the quickest and most effective approach is to consult an ENT specialist and follow their guidance for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Generally, a combination of antibiotics and home remedies is recommended to achieve the fastest and most effective cure for sinusitis. This powerful combination speeds up the healing process, especially when treatment is initiated early, thereby reducing the likelihood of complications and the necessity for surgical intervention. But if the doctor suggests surgery, then surgery followed by medication is important. Starting the treatment ASAP is crucial for achieving a faster recovery and overall improvement.