GAH! I had Monday and Tuesday off this year between Christmas and New Year’s, and David has the whole week. I’ve been sick with a stupid sinus infection since Saturday. I was relying a little too much on the prescription antibiotic I got Saturday, and wasn’t using the home remedies I should have been. My doctor is usually not very forthcoming with this kind of information, so I had to go looking for it.
Now drinking ginger-lemon tea with honey, have taken Robitussin gelcaps and Ibuprofen (my cheeks and forehead hurt), just used a nasal decongestant, and inhaled a little steam as well. Hot shower is indicated later. I have one more day off, and I’m supposed to be at work on the 31st, with an early evening party that night. Then off New Year’s Day, with a family event that afternoon. Then work Friday, and the weekend of course is off. If there’s any week to be sick, I guess this is it, but I’d rather not miss out on the fun stuff.
Home care can help open the sinuses and alleviate their dryness.
- Promote drainage
- Drink plenty of water and hydrating beverages such as hot tea.
- Inhale steam two to four times per day by leaning over a bowl of hot water (not while the water is on the stove) or using a steam vaporizer. Inhale the steam for about 10 minutes. Taking a hot, steamy shower may also work. Mentholated preparations, such as Vicks Vapo-Rub, can be added to the water or vaporizer to aid in opening the passageways.
- Thin the mucus: Expectorants are drugs that help expel mucus from the lungs and respiratory passages. They help to thin mucous secretions, enhancing drainage from the sinuses. The most common is guaifenesin (contained in Robitussin and Mucinex, for example). Over- the-counter (OTC) liquid cough medications or prescription tablets can also combine decongestants and cough suppressants to reduce symptoms as well as to eliminate the need for the use of many medications. Read label ingredients to find the right combination of ingredients or ask the pharmacist for help.
- Relieve pain: Pain medication such as ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil are examples), aspirin, and naproxen (Aleve) can reduce pain and inflammation. These medications help to open the airways by reducing swelling. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used for pain and fever but does not help with the inflammation.
Via Sinus Infection (Sinusitis) Information on eMedicineHealth.com
