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Suggest Treatment For Severe Sinus Pain, Sore Throat Ans Swollen Glands
Question: I am on day 5 of a 5 day Z- pack for severe sinus pain, sore throat with white patches on back of throat and swollen glands , and ear pain while traveling. I am still nasally congested , and have a post nasal drip which affects my throat. I do not have any fever, just fatigue, which has slowed me down. What can I use to become less congested, and cuts down on post nasal drip. I hardly ever take antibiotics, and will I continue to improve on the Z - pack ? How long do sinuses take to clear, so I do not have stuffy ears. I am a 60 year old female, and was around young children. Thank you for your response. XXXX
Brief Answer:
Acute sinusitis and pharyngitis..,
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query; I will try my best to help you with this problem.
According to the history, I do feel, you could be suffering from Acute Sinusitis and Pharyngitis. Z-pack alone may not be sufficient enough to treat this.
The earache you get while traveling could be due to the blockage of the 'Eustachian tube' (the tube connecting nose and the ears).
Do not worry! With appropriate measures the symptoms will definitely reduce. My suggestions to you are:
1. Drink plenty of warm water.
2. Do steam inhalation 2-3 times a day for at least 2 min.
3. Use saline nasal spray, to decongest the nose and clear the secretions.
4. Try taking mucolytics such as bromhexine or ambroxol.
5. Anti-inflammatory medicine such as Ibuprofen or diclofenac is beneficial in reduce the pain and inflammation.
6. Avoid chilled food and beverages/coffee/fizzy drinks/smoking.
With the above measures you should be definitely alright within 3-4 days. If the symptoms persist, please consult an apt ENT specialist for a nasal endoscopy and CT Scan of the sinuses (if required).
Hope this answers your query; revert back to me if you have any follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Acute sinusitis and pharyngitis..,
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query; I will try my best to help you with this problem.
According to the history, I do feel, you could be suffering from Acute Sinusitis and Pharyngitis. Z-pack alone may not be sufficient enough to treat this.
The earache you get while traveling could be due to the blockage of the 'Eustachian tube' (the tube connecting nose and the ears).
Do not worry! With appropriate measures the symptoms will definitely reduce. My suggestions to you are:
1. Drink plenty of warm water.
2. Do steam inhalation 2-3 times a day for at least 2 min.
3. Use saline nasal spray, to decongest the nose and clear the secretions.
4. Try taking mucolytics such as bromhexine or ambroxol.
5. Anti-inflammatory medicine such as Ibuprofen or diclofenac is beneficial in reduce the pain and inflammation.
6. Avoid chilled food and beverages/coffee/fizzy drinks/smoking.
With the above measures you should be definitely alright within 3-4 days. If the symptoms persist, please consult an apt ENT specialist for a nasal endoscopy and CT Scan of the sinuses (if required).
Hope this answers your query; revert back to me if you have any follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2540 Questions
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