A sinus infection’s signs and symptoms are similar to cold ones. The only difference is how long it might last and how painful it can be.
If you are experiencing a headache, a bad case of heaviness in your head, can’t taste or smell anything, and it has been recurring for a long time now, you might be a good candidate for sinus treatment in Singapore.
The average duration of these symptoms is ten days, but chronic sinusitis can linger for up to a year. Even though most cases of sinusitis are self-resolving, it doesn’t work the same for others.
Here’s a guide on what you may need to do when visiting an ENT specialist doctor in Singapore.
What is sinusitis, and what causes it?
As a medical ailment, sinusitis causes inflammation and swelling of the sinuses’ tissue lining. Sinus congestion and oedema result from an overproduction of mucus in the sinuses, making it difficult to breathe through the nose.
Generally, sinusitis can last from a few weeks to several months. However, if you had sinusitis treatment in Singapore for more than two to three months and still suffer from it, you may have chronic sinusitis.
Viral infection, such as common cold, allergy, or allergic rhinitis, is a kind of nose inflammation that can cause sinusitis. Sinusitis signs and symptoms include:
- An itchy, stuffy or runny nose
- Recurring headache
- A swollen or painful throat
- Congestion in the nose makes it difficult to breathe via the nose.
- Your eyes, cheeks, nose, or forehead may feel sore and swollen
- Streaming with mucus (post-nasal drip)
- Bad breath
- Exhaustion
- High fever
Is there a variety of sinusitis, or is it all the same?
When you visit an ENT clinic in Singapore, your doctor will most likely walk you through the different types and which one you fall in. As a general guide, there are two existing types, acute and chronic.
Acute sinus infections often occur due to a cold, allergies, or environmental contaminants irritating the sinuses. In most cases, the symptoms include a runny nose and facial pain. Even when a sinus infection has cleared up, it can recur in some people. Acute sinusitis recurrence is having four or more episodes in a year.
On the other hand, chronic sinusitis is something that lasts more than 12 weeks. For many people, it’s impossible to anticipate who may suffer from chronic sinusitis, but learning more about the two primary varieties will help you determine how and when to seek sinusitis treatment in Singapore.
What should you do if you have sinusitis?
1. Book an appointment
See an ENT specialist doctor in Singapore because sinusitis symptoms might be mistaken for other diseases. Make sure to prepare what you need and keep a note of your medical history.
It will help them identify any allergies or previous problems you may have had.
2. Keep a close eye on your signs and symptoms
However, while having a doctor check inside your nose can help identify the issue, you can only get the proper treatment if you have an accurate list of your symptoms.
If you also notice that you lack sleep and snoring because of a clogged nose, you may consider getting snoring treatment in Singapore, as you may also have a condition such as sleep apnea.
3. Get treated as soon as possible
Sinusitis can make you uncomfortable and make you want to stay in bed for a whole day. However, it may affect your productivity and day-to-day chores as it leaves you feeling sick.
Once you visit an ENT clinic in Singapore, your specialist may prescribe antibiotics. However, they may recommend that you wait for a few days to evaluate if it’s necessary. It allows the body’s immune system to prepare for and fight the infection.
On the other hand, chronic sinusitis requires more time and patience to cure than acute sinusitis. Combining nasal sprays and oral with mucus-thinning medicines may help alleviate the symptom.
Other types of sinusitis treatment in Singapore include:
- Sprays for nasal congestion
- Topical nasal corticosteroids — an anti-inflammatory spray that you can use to relieve swelling
- Nasal saline sprays — reduce inflammation and loosens mucus.
- Antihistamines
- Surgery
For patients getting sinus surgery in Singapore, FESS and balloon sinuplasty are examples of these procedures.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is procedure therapy that expands the nasal drainage routes, enhancing sinus airflow by removing polyps and scar tissues.
While balloon sinuplasty is one of the most commonly performed procedures in this field, inflated balloon catheters quickly drain the nasal sinuses.
4. Try home medications
Aside from getting medical sinusitis treatment in Singapore, there are home remedies for relieving sinus discomfort and inflammation and speeding up the recovery from a sinus infection.
● Neti pot
As a treatment for sinusitis, nasal irrigation is a common practice. Make sure to keep your neti pot sanitised after each usage. You should avoid drinking water straight from the faucet, as it may contain germs or parasites that could worsen your health.
● Relieve pain with a warm compress
It is possible to alleviate sinus pain with wet, warm heat. To alleviate facial discomfort, wrap warm, damp towels around your face.
5. Take advantage of over-the-counter drugs
If home treatments fail to alleviate your symptoms, you may ask your ENT specialist doctor in Singapore for recommendations. Before you purchase and use decongestant sprays and drops, read the instructions first.
6. Keep yourself hydrated
Along with getting sinusitis treatment in Singapore, ensure you drink enough water to wash the virus out of your body. Keeping yourself will benefit not only your sinusitis but also your overall health. Avoid drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, which can deplete your body of water.
7. Know when to rest
To assist your body fight off illness and strengthen the immune system, get plenty of rest. Use a couple of pillows to keep your head up as you sleep. Breathing is easier if you maintain an elevated position.
Get the proper sinusitis treatment from Dr Gan EngCern!
Dr Gan EngCern has an ENT clinic in Singapore that treats a wide range of Ear, Nose and Throat ailments and Head & Neck issues. Call their clinic today!