HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Throat And Ear Infection

default
Posted on Tue, 5 May 2015
Question: Had a throat and ear infection over a month ago, treated with antibiotics. but I still get sinus blockage, especially in evening, and some soreness under right ribcage when lying down. Any possible connection? also get chilled and tired in early evening.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Needs management

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concern. Sinuses congestion can be very prolonged and tricky some times. Antibiotics not always help as most of the time the infection is viral and self resolves. What you are having right now are sequelaes of the throat infection you had. Continue the nasal sprays and follow the below mentioned advice.

Use a humidifier or vaporizer.
Take long showers or -- very carefully -- breathe in steam from a pot on the stove.
Drink lots of fluids, which will thin out your mucus and may help prevent your sinuses from getting blocked up.
Use a nasal saline spray – simple unmedicated salt water – to help prevent your nasal passages from drying out.
To further ease your nasal congestion and sinus pressure, here are some other things you can try at home.

Irrigate. It may seem odd, but the time-honored technique of flushing out nasal passages with salt water has some good scientific evidence behind it. The water washes out mucus and other debris – including allergens or germs – while keeping your nasal passages moist. There are many different approaches. You could just use a syringe, a neti pot, or one of the more elaborate and expensive nasal irrigators available in stores. Use distilled, sterile or previously boiled water to make up the irrigation solution. It’s also important to rinse the irrigation device after each use and leave open to air dry.
Use warm compresses on your face. Sitting with a warm, wet towel on your face may relieve discomfort and open your nasal passages.
Prop yourself up. At night, lie on a couple of pillows. Keeping your head elevated may make breathing more comfortable.
Avoid chlorinated pools. Although you might think the moisture will help, the chlorine in pools can irritate the mucous membranes in your nasal passages.


As far as the pain in right rib cage on lying down is concerned, that is likely a gastric discomfort. Take some antacids like pepto and some anti spasmodics for the relief. Avoid NSAIDs as those exacerbate.

Getting chilled and tired earlier is just a hallmark of any disease and just a symptom and not any thing else. As the sinus congestion resolves, this issue will subside.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.

Regards
Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (34 hours later)
Sound advice, my only remaining problem is to ask the doctor how to break my cycle of awakening every night at about 2 AM with breathing problems. I've created a habit which I want to break
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No worries

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me

Waking up at midnight is just a sequelae of this recent sinus issues. Once this resolves sound sleep will return. You don't have sleep apnea. Just try to lie down on a side and not straight. It shall help. Just waiting and seeing and doing as directed is advised.

I hope it helps.

Take care
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (30 hours later)
I may have mentioned before that the illness began with very sore throat and ears, and progressed from there and never really got resolved. I have been on antibiotics twice but after several weeks still feel a heaviness in chest (I did have a serious lung infection last winter with fluid which subsided after very heavy antibiotics and pills to lose water). I also take two medications to lower blood pressure and one of them causes fluid retention in extremeties which is now worse since I fell ill. Can the sinus inflammation be connected to these other symptoms?? How do I break this cycle of congestion and lack of sleep??
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Sinusitis sequelaes

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me

As I mentioned earlier unless your congestion is taken care of and treated symptomatically these symptoms will keep coming. Insomnia is just the sequelae not an illness on its own.

All you need is some decongestants and home remedies mentioned above. Till then some antihistamines at bed times will work as sleep aid agents too.
Apart from it you need to maintain a blood pressure. Fluid retention and congestion of sinuses are not connected.

I hope it helps.
Take care
Khan
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Throat And Ear Infection

Brief Answer: Needs management Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking I read your question and i understand your concern. Sinuses congestion can be very prolonged and tricky some times. Antibiotics not always help as most of the time the infection is viral and self resolves. What you are having right now are sequelaes of the throat infection you had. Continue the nasal sprays and follow the below mentioned advice. Use a humidifier or vaporizer. Take long showers or -- very carefully -- breathe in steam from a pot on the stove. Drink lots of fluids, which will thin out your mucus and may help prevent your sinuses from getting blocked up. Use a nasal saline spray – simple unmedicated salt water – to help prevent your nasal passages from drying out. To further ease your nasal congestion and sinus pressure, here are some other things you can try at home. Irrigate. It may seem odd, but the time-honored technique of flushing out nasal passages with salt water has some good scientific evidence behind it. The water washes out mucus and other debris – including allergens or germs – while keeping your nasal passages moist. There are many different approaches. You could just use a syringe, a neti pot, or one of the more elaborate and expensive nasal irrigators available in stores. Use distilled, sterile or previously boiled water to make up the irrigation solution. It’s also important to rinse the irrigation device after each use and leave open to air dry. Use warm compresses on your face. Sitting with a warm, wet towel on your face may relieve discomfort and open your nasal passages. Prop yourself up. At night, lie on a couple of pillows. Keeping your head elevated may make breathing more comfortable. Avoid chlorinated pools. Although you might think the moisture will help, the chlorine in pools can irritate the mucous membranes in your nasal passages. As far as the pain in right rib cage on lying down is concerned, that is likely a gastric discomfort. Take some antacids like pepto and some anti spasmodics for the relief. Avoid NSAIDs as those exacerbate. Getting chilled and tired earlier is just a hallmark of any disease and just a symptom and not any thing else. As the sinus congestion resolves, this issue will subside. I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please. Regards Khan