Treating Your Sinusitis with a Nebulizer

Some of the main causes of sinus disease are:

- blowing the nose too hard
- not clearing up the first sign of infection
- getting the chills
- not resting
- drinking too much iced drinks

Any of these may lead you to develop a mild infection, but with heavy nose-blowing, infection is spread all around the nose and ear as well.

Most sinus problems show inflammation in the sinus cavities and mucous build up. In worse cases of sinusitis there can also be pus present. To feel better, the first thing you want would be to clear out those nasal cavities and get rid of your congestion.

Steam Inhalation
For some sufferers, steam inhalation is considered in treating sinus problems. It is not always recommended, though. Steam inhalation does bring circulation to the area, but hot steam can inactivate the cilia. These are the microscopic hairs that beat to move the bacteria out of the nose and into the throat, where they are swallowed and taken out through the stomach.

Nebulized Treatment
The nebulizer uses compounded medications that are aerosolized to a particle size small enough to disperse within the sinus cavities. By using this, the infected area is treated topically and instantly. Thick mucus is loosened, which makes it easier to remove by blowing it out or washing it away. With the nebulizer, the sinuses are cleared and there is little chance of further spreading the infection.

You can use the nebulizer daily if there are persistent symptoms, or if the common cold or allergy season is bad. The doctor’s advice and prescription should be followed accordingly.

Nebulizers vs Nasal Sprays and Drops
Nebulizers disperse smaller particles of medication in comparison to regular nasal sprays and drops. This is concluded in a study by Christopher Hilton, M.D.,Timothy Wiedmann, Ph.D.,Michele St. Martin, M.D., Bradley Humphrey, B.S.,Rob Schleiffarth, B.A. and Frank Rimell, M.D. about the differential deposition of aerosols in the maxillary sinus. According to the study, larger particles appeared to deposit directly in the nasal vault (human cadavers were used in the study) while smaller particles were more likely to reach the maxillary sinus.

Nebulized Medication
Nebulizers carry the medicine in the form of a liquid solution. The following medications are used with nebulizers:
• Bronchodilators such as salbutamol
• Ipratropium
• Corticosteroids

The reason medication is preferred to be inhaled instead of ingested is usually to target its effect to the respiratory tract. Inhaled medicine speeds the onset of its action and reduces side effects compared to when medicines are delivered by other routes.

Usually, the aerosolized medicine is inhaled through a tube-like mouthpiece, similar to that of an inhaler. The mouthpiece, however, is sometimes replaced with a face mask, similar to that used for inhaled anaesthesia, for ease of use with young children or the elderly, although mouthpieces are preferable if patients are able to use them since facemasks result in reduced lung delivery because of aerosol losses in the nose.

Side Effects
After use with corticosteroids, it is theoretically possible for patients to develop a yeast infection in the mouth or hoarseness of voice, although these conditions are clinically very rare. To avoid these adverse effects, some clinicians suggest that the person who used the nebulizer should rinse his or her mouth.