Sinus Drainage Is Necessary To Prevent Sinus Infections

There are quite a number of choices in over the counter medications that can be taken over the course of a cold or allergy attack to help in the promoting of sinus drainage and keep nasal passages free and clear. The most excellent option is by means of a decongestant, and you can find these in combination with a pain reliever or alone. The best decongestant is the pseudoephedrine, however it is important to read through the label warning carefully and speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns about the medical conditions your might have or medications that you are currently taking. If these decongestants do not offer adequate sinus drainage, you can add a decongestant nasal spray like Afrin. Only to make sure that you do not use a spray for longer than four days, because long term use can result in a rebounding of your nasal congestion.

Since everyone has suffered from a common cold at one time or another, we all recognize how uncomfortable a nasal congestion can be. Severe nasal congestion will usually be accompanied by a headache and pain and feeling the pressure in the face, where the sinuses are located. Whereas not all nasal congestion and pressure is indicative of a sinus infection, a general misunderstanding, extended congestion can very much lead to an infection. This is because the congestion and inflammation of the nasal passages can make drainage difficult and that mucus that remain in the sinuses and nasal passages can cause infection. Because there is always a risk after a cold or severe bout of allergies, it is vital to try to promote about healthy sinus drainage throughout the course of a viral illness to help put off an infection from developing.

Medications From Over the Counter

Though antihistamines are an effective means of treating seasonal or chronic allergy symptoms, they are not essentially the best choice in dealing with sinus drainage from a cold or flu. The reason is because these medications can actually thicken the mucus, inhibiting sinus drainage and possibly leading to an infection. There are some of the newer antihistamines on the market today, like Claritin, which will not result in thickening the mucus but will also not effectively promote sinus drainage. For this reason, it is best to stick with antihistamines to treat allergies and by using a decongestant for colds and the flu. You can also consider by adding a steroid spray like Flonase which will effectively promote sinus drainage by reducing inflammation. These sprays can be used over the long term, and they are a good way to treat chronic sinus infections.

The key to preventing a sinus infection is to encourage effective sinus drainage during the course of cold or severe allergies. There are many good choices in over the counter medications in treating these conditions, but if these options do not work well for you, speak to your doctor about additional treatments available.

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