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Probiotics for Sinusitis
Sinusitis is the swelling and inflammation of the sinuses and is caused by bacteria, allergies, fungal or viral infections. Sinusitis occurs when the sinuses become blocked, leading to mucus buildup, which encourages the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. Sinusitis may be acute or chronic. Chronic sinusitis lasts for more than 12 weeks. Probiotics can help prevent sinusitis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center 1.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Probiotics are live microorganisms that are similar to beneficial microorganisms found in the human gut. Patients with sinusitis are encouraged to take lactobacillus acidophilus supplements because they help reduces chances of developing allergies, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Allergy symptoms are a major cause of sinusitis. Probiotics also help replace friendly bacteria that are killed by antibiotics used to treat sinusitis.
- Probiotics are live microorganisms that are similar to beneficial microorganisms found in the human gut.
- Probiotics also help replace friendly bacteria that are killed by antibiotics used to treat sinusitis.
Symptoms of Sinusitis
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Treatment of Sinusitis
Sinusitis caused by bacterial infection is treated using antibiotics. Antibiotics do not treat sinusitis caused by viral or fungal infections. Most cases of bacterial sinusitis improve without antibiotics. Patients with sinusitis caused by allergies are treated using antihistamines. Patients are also treated with nasal corticosteroids to reduce swelling, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers and saline nasal sprays.
- Sinusitis caused by bacterial infection is treated using antibiotics.
- Patients with sinusitis caused by allergies are treated using antihistamines.
Prevention of Sinusitis
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Sinusitis can be prevented by frequent hand-washing so as to avoid infections, treating allergies, avoiding smoking , drinking plenty of fluids and using a humidifier. A humidifier is necessary in homes where the air is dry. Breathing in dry air can cause hardening of mucus in your nasal passages, which leads to mucus buildup and sinusitis. A humidifier helps add moisture to air. Patients should also rinse out nasal passages regularly using homemade salty rinses or manufactured sinus rinses. Sleeping with the head of the bed elevated also reduces the congestion that can cause sinusitis.
- Sinusitis can be prevented by frequent hand-washing so as to avoid infections, treating allergies, avoiding smoking , drinking plenty of fluids and using a humidifier.
- Breathing in dry air can cause hardening of mucus in your nasal passages, which leads to mucus buildup and sinusitis.
Related Articles
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Probiotics; Feb. 8, 2011
- Treating Chronic Sinusitis. Informed Health Online: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072668/.
- Chow AW, Benninger MS, Brook I, et al. IDSA Clinical Practice Guideline for Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis in Children and Adults. Clin Infect Dis. 2012;54(8):e72–e112.
- Shaikh N, Wald ER. Decongestants, Antihistamines and Nasal Irrigation for Acute Sinusitis in Children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd007909.pub4.
- Wald ER, Applegate KE, Bordley C, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Bacterial Sinusitis in Children Aged 1 to 18 Years. Pediatrics. 2013;132(1):e262-80.
Writer Bio
Esther Kinuthia is a registered nurse with extensive experience in health and wellness. She holds a B.S. in nursing, B.A in psychology and has worked for more than ten years in the health-care field. She enjoys writing articles on a variety of topics for the Internet. Her work has been published in various websites.