Sinus Infection Treatment in Tecumseh, OK

Sinusitis can occur when the tissue lining of the sinuses becomes inflamed. The sinuses are four pairs of cavities (spaces) in the head. A narrow channel connects them. Sinuses produce what is known as thin mucus that drains through the nasal channels. As a result of this drainage, the nose remains clean and bacteria-free.

The sinuses are typically filled with air but can become blocked and filled with fluid. Bacteria can grow in such conditions and cause an infection (bacterial sinusitis). When the sinus tissue is inflamed, the nasal tissue becomes swollen, also known as rhinosinusitis.

In general, acute sinusitis is a short-term condition that is not too severe. There is little or no need for treatment for many people. It usually takes seven to ten days for people to get better on their own. Infections caused by bacteria can only be treated with antibiotics. In most cases, sinusitis is caused by viruses or other causes that cannot be treated with antibiotics.

If you experience any painful symptoms, you should consult your doctor. Infections caused by bacteria may require antibiotics. If your sinuses do not feel better after 10 days, if your symptoms have worsened, or if your symptoms initially improved and then worsened five to six days later (“double sickening”), you should seek to meet with a health care provider. You may have subacute or chronic sinusitis if your symptoms persist after four weeks. Your provider should be contacted if you develop other symptoms, such as severe eye swelling, or if you are not sure what to do next.

Using warm, wet washcloths on your face can provide relief if you suffer from facial pain and you have healthy teeth. It is likely that you have had acute sinusitis and it has resolved on its own in about ten days. Contact your doctor if you continue to feel ill after three or four weeks.

Acute sinusitis rarely causes complications. It is likely that you will recover on your own. It is possible, however, that an infection could spread into other parts of your nervous system, such as your brain, eyes, or spinal cord, in very rare cases. When left untreated, sinus infections can cause meningitis or infect the brain, eyes, or nearby bones. Meningitis is an infection of the membranes that actually covers the brain and spinal cord (meninges).

Sinusitis that lasts less than a month is considered acute. The symptoms may go away on their own within 10 days, but it may take up to three or four weeks. A doctor may recommend using a decongestant and saline nasal wash if you have a simple sinus infection. Over-the-counter decongestants shouldn’t be used for more than three days because they can make you more congested.

Alternatively, you can try a bioelectric device that emits microcurrent waves over the counter. In order to relieve sinus congestion, the device is placed on the face and emits painless vibrations. It is likely that you will need to take antibiotics for 10 to 14 days if your doctor prescribes them to you. Treatment usually eliminates the symptoms.

You will not be able to tell if your sinus infection is bacterial. Rather, your doctor looks at the duration of your symptoms to determine the source of your infection. The symptoms of a viral sinus infection usually begin to improve after five to seven days. Bacterial sinus infections usually last seven to ten days and may even worsen over time.

Patients in Tecumseh, OK, can receive a diagnosis and treatment for sinus infections at Immediate Care of Oklahoma. We serve patients from Tecumseh OK, Shawnee OK, Brooksville OK, Johnson OK, Bethel Acres OK, and Dale OK.