Sinusitis is a common condition that most people will suffer from at least once in their lifetime, although most people battle it more than just once. Sinusitis is annoying, painful, and disrupts the daily routine of those suffering from the condition. Luckily, there are plenty of treatment options, both at home and from medical professionals, to make your sinusitis more manageable! 

What is Sinusitis? 

Sinusitis occurs when your sinuses become swollen and irritated. As the sinuses become inflamed, mucus is unable to drain properly and becomes trapped in the sinus cavities. Sinus infections most often occur after battling an illness like the cold or the flu when your body is producing high amounts of mucus and sinuses are inflamed. Symptoms of sinusitis include: 

• Ear pressure
• Headache
• Pain and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, and forehead
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Thick, yellow, or green mucus
• Difficulty breathing through your nose
• Changed sense of smell or taste

Home Remedies

Sometimes, sinusitis is able to clear on its own in 7-10 days. This can only occur when you’re dealing with a viral infection, not a bacterial one. When you begin to notice pain and pressure in your sinuses, start implanting these home remedies to ease the pressure and encourage healing. 

• Over the counter decongestants 
• Saline nasal spray
• Over the counter pain relievers
• Plenty of water
• Rest

How Urgent Care Can Help

 If you’ve tried home remedies and your symptoms aren’t improving or begin to get worse, it’s time to seek treatment from a medical professional. Sinusitis that lasts longer than 7-10 days is likely caused by a bacterial infection which will require antibiotics to heal. Visit a nearby urgent care center to review your symptoms, receive a physical exam, and receive the prescription you need to cure your sinusitis.

If you’re given an antibiotic prescription, be sure to take the entire prescription, even if your symptoms improve before you’ve taken the whole script. Stopping antibiotics sooner than prescribed could allow your sinusitis to come back even worse than before! 

Go online to find your nearby urgent care center and get familiar with their hours of operation, location, and what insurance companies are accepted. You can be seen with no appointment and receive quick, effective care. If you’re suffering from chronic cases of sinusitis, your urgent care physician might refer you to a specialist to receive further testing and care.