Antibiotics Do Not Heal Sinus Infections

Sinus infections, otherwise known as sinusitis, are not usually healed by antibiotics, even though they are a commonly prescribed treatment. In fact, antibiotics may cause more harm than good by increasing our resistance to other medications.

In a recent study, researchers followed approximately 200 patients suffering from sinusitis. Of the 100 participants who took a course of antibiotics, 29 percent had symptoms that continued to last 10 days or longer. One hundred participants received a placebo, and 34 percent of the placebo group continued to have symptoms. The results were statistically insignificant.

The effectiveness of a nasal steroid spray for sinus infections was also tested in the study, and found to work the same as the placebo except for those with extremely mild cases of sinusitis. The researchers suggested that antibiotics did not address the sinus infections because they were not able to actually penetrate the infected sinus cavities. Over-prescribing of antibiotics has created the very dangerous situation of drug resistance, and sadly, has decreased the benefits of antibiotics due to their being overused. Antibiotics were also found to be ineffective against ear infections and bronchitis. We need to embrace alternative solutions, which often take more thought, time and energy, than running immediately to the doctor for a prescription. It’s time to take action and use methods on our own behalf, which allow the body to truly heal.

How Sinus Infections Occur

Sinus infections occur when a cold, allergy, pollutants, toxins, or exposure to extremely dry, and/or cold air irritates the mucous membranes in your nose and sinuses. This leads to membranes becoming inflamed, thus stimulating the mucous glands to secrete more mucous than usual. As mucous accumulates in the sinuses they can become infected.

In actuality, this is all just a reaction, and a response based on a much bigger picture. Infections, in general, including sinusitis, take hold when the basics of good health are being ignored. This includes eating a whole foods diet, resting sufficiently, sleeping enough hours each night, exercising daily, addressing stress, and allowing time to enjoy life, to relax and be.

Overriding our bodies by pushing past these basic requirements dampens the strength of your immune system and allows bacteria and fungus (another primary cause of sinus infections) to take hold in your nose and sinuses. And when it does, you can be left battling fatigue, sinus pressure, post-nasal drip, and thick mucous, making it difficult to breathe.

Read through our entire section on Sinusitis. We offer the very best practical health solutions available in an easy-to-follow format.