recurrent sinus infections

[pensativa444]

I have been having recurrent sinus infections for about a year. I  have been taking augmentin and it ussually clears it up in 7 days. I feel better for about 2 weeks and then get it again.My worst symptoms include severe dizziness, fog brain and confussion. I am eternally congested. I can never breathe thru my nose so I breath thru my mouth. I also always have postnasal drip.I have had  a CT scan of the sinus and an x ray of the sinus. According to my Dr. (ENT) these come out  normal and there is no structural problem.Obviosly there is aproblem as I can not get rid of these back to back sinus infections. Sometimes the dizziness, fogbrain and confussion are so severe I can not get to work as I have to lye down as I lose my balance and cannot concentrate. Decongestants do not help. Steroid sprays do not help. Pleses advise.

[National Jewish]

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinus cavities.  Inflammation of the sinuses could be due to an allergy, an infection, or ongoing exposure to an irritant, such as pollution or smoke.  Symptoms can include a headache or pressure in the area of the sinuses, a stuffy nose, achy teeth, “fog brain” or difficulty concentrating, postnasal drip, cough, sore throat, laryngitis, dizziness, constant low fever, and thick, yellow to green nasal drainage.  A CT scan of the sinuses is the best way to identify sinusitis.  If your symptoms are due to sinusitis, this will last as long as the inflammation continues.

The most common cause of sinusitis is an infection, especially when the mucus is green.  Sinus infections can be difficult to treat since they respond slowly.  When any of the openings that drain your sinuses is blocked it will take longer to clear a sinus infection.  If a viral infection is the cause it’s a matter of time until the sinusitis clears on its own.  When a bacterial infection is the cause you may need to take an antibiotic for at least 3 weeks.  It is possible that the Augmentin® (amoxicillin and clavulanate) has helped the sinus infection, but hasn’t had enough time to eliminate it completely.  Thus your symptoms keep coming back.  Even after an antibiotic clears the infection, it is possible for the inflammation to linger.  However, inflammation of the sinuses could also be due to an allergy or ongoing exposure to an irritant, such as pollution or smoke.

This inflammation can block sinus drainage and cause increased mucus production.  The mucus can drain from the nose and sinuses down the back of the throat causing a constant or intermittent postnasal drip and sore throat.  This can fester sinusitis.

An antihistamine can dry up the postnasal drip.  However, it may make the mucus thicker and more difficult to move.  A decongestant like Sudafed® (pseudoephedrine) can thin the postnasal drip and relieve your blocked sinuses by decreasing the swelling so they drain better.  Often an antihistamine and decongestant are taken only when the postnasal drip gets bad.  It may be more helpful to take the antihistamine and decongestant on a regular basis.  Check with your doctor to see if either of these would help you more.

Drinking plenty of water will help to thin the mucus so that it moves more easily.  As long as you are not on a fluid restriction you should be drinking 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses of non-caffeine non-alcoholic fluid daily.

A nasal wash helps remove mucus and germs from the nose and sinuses.  This can temporarily decrease the postnasal drip and help your sinuses to drain better.  Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique.  Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.

If your symptoms continue, your doctor may recommend a prescription nasal steroid spray.  This can decrease mucus production by decreasing the inflammation in the nose and sinuses.  This generally provides a more lasting decrease in postnasal drip and improves sinus drainage.  To get the most help from a nasal steroid spray use it after doing a nasal wash.  A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms.  It may take several weeks of routine use to become effective.  Sometimes it takes the antihistamine, the decongestant, and the nasal wash followed by the nasal steroid spray ALL used routinely to keep the postnasal drip from bothering you.
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[pensativa444]

Thank you so much for your info, it was extremely helpful.Any comments on why my ct and x ray of the sinuses were normal ?

[Concerned lady]

Gastric reflux, tooth problems, indoor air pollution (&/or outdoor air pollution) and other things, as the LUNG LINE Nurse said, can cause or worsen sinus problems.

Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[Billk]

I found that for indoor pollution had my nose plugged for 45 years. Then I got a Negitive Ion Generator($100) and the next morning it was gone for good and never plugged up again(4years now)and to kill the infection for good is a simple root indians used and boy did it work. It's Goldenseal root ground up in a capusle(at health food store $18 for 50). Two in the morning and two at evening for ten days, and one a week from then on for maintance.You will enjoy the results compaired to what you have been use too.keep in touch will ya',Bill

[pensativa444]

Thank you guys for your very helpful comments and trying to help others .I am certainly going to look into your recommendations.Thanks  a lot
Lili

[gingertea]

Just a thought, but I have had what I thought was a chronic sinus condition for 6 years now.  I had pressure over my eye, a low fever, and off/on gunk going down my throat.  I'd be treated for sinus infections, feel better, then the symptoms came back but the CT scan showed nothing  It ends up I've had an infected naso-lacrimal tear duct which can be caused by dry eyes (antihistamines and nose sprays made it worse).  This duct drains from your eyes into your nose.  You might just want to go to an eye doctor and get it checked out.  It may not be at all related to your problem, but I'm pretty sure this doesn't show up on a CT scan.  Allergies can set this off too evidently/