between the two is how long those symptoms linger. Sinusitis symptoms
typically last no longer than 10 days. Chronic sinusitis can last for 12 weeks or
longer.
To help flush the virus out of your system, make sure you’re adequately
hydrated. Aim to drink at least 8 ounces of water every two hours.
_ Avoid dry environments.
A humidifier in your home (in particular, by your bed) and where you work can
help prevent nasal passages from drying out. Keep humidifiers clean and free of
bacteria and mold.
_ Bathe your nasal passages daily.
Run water gently into the nasal passages to help clear excess mucus and moisten
membranes. (See "First line of defense: Nasal irrigation.") Good times to do it
are in the morning and at night, when you brush your teeth. "Brush, then flush,"
is Dr. Metson's motto. During the day, use nasal saline spray to moisten nasal
passages.
_ Sleep with your head elevated.
Mucus pools in your sinuses at night when your head is down, so have your
head propped up with pillows or a wedge during sleep.
_ Be careful with decongestants.
Tablets containing pseudoephedrine act on blood vessels to shrink membranes
and keep nasal passages open. Nasal sprays containing phenylephrine or
oxymetazoline also work well — and quickly. But using topical nasal
decongestants for more than a day or two runs the risk of setting off a spiral of
dependency as a result of rebound — increased swelling after the medication
wears off. (According to Dr. Metson, a shorter-acting spray, such as 0.25% or
0.5% Neo-Synephrine, is less likely to cause rebound than longer-acting ones
like Afrin.) Oral decongestants can cause jitters and increase blood pressure, so if
you have high blood pressure, don't use them without consulting a clinician first.
_ Be nice to your nose.
Blow your nose gently, one nostril at a time. Forceful blowing can irritate the
nasal passages and propel bacteria-laden mucus back up into your sinuses.
_ Inhale steam.
Linger in a hot shower. Or bring water to a boil, and pour it into a pan; place a
towel over your head, and carefully bend over the pan to inhale the steam. To
avoid burns, keep your distance at first and move in gradually to a comfortable
zone.
Antihistamines make mucus thick and hard to drain. But if your sinusitis is
triggered by allergies, your clinician may still want you to take an antihistamine
along with other medications.
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