Sneezing...the What and the Why.

Source: By HealthGrades Editorial Staff https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/ear-nose-and-throat/sneezing

What is sneezing?

Sneezing, or sternutation is a strong, sudden, uncontrolled burst of air through the nose and mouth. Sneezing is caused by an irritation to the nasal lining or the throat. Usually, sneezing is the result of dust or an allergen entering the nose.

While sneezing is often annoying, it is usually not serious. It may occur as part of an allergic reaction or may accompany an infection or illness. Sneezing may also result from a drug interaction, direct stimulation of the nose, such as by a nasal spray or touching of the nasal mucosa, or from some other irritant. Sneezing may also accompany vasomotor rhinitis.

Sneezing generally can be prevented by avoiding irritants, such as dust or other allergens. If sneezing results from allergies or infections, removing the allergen, taking allergy medication, such as antihistamines or nasal sprays, or treating the infection will usually resolve the sneezing.

Seek prompt medical care if your sneezing is persistent, does not respond to treatment, or is causing you concern.

Symptoms

What other symptoms might occur with sneezing?

Sneezing may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition.

Allergy or respiratory symptoms that may occur along with sneezing

Sneezing may accompany other allergic or respiratory symptoms including:

8 Reasons to See an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor

Cough, Decreased sense of smell, Headache, Itchy eyes, Itchy nose, mouth or throat, Puffy eyelids, Runny nose (nasal congestion), Sore throat, Watery eyes.

Other symptoms that may occur along with sneezing

Sneezing may accompany other symptoms including:

Body aches Dry nose Fatigue Fever and chills Loss of appetite Malaise or lethargy Symptoms of drug withdrawal

Symptoms that might indicate a serious condition

In some cases, sneezing may occur with other symptoms that might indicate a serious condition, such as a severe infection, that should be evaluated immediately in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have sneezing along with other serious symptoms, including high fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit).

Causes

What causes sneezing?

Sneezing is caused by irritation to the nose or throat. Generally, this irritation results from a physical or airborne irritant, such as dust or allergens.

In cases in which your sneezing is caused by allergies, avoiding allergens or taking over the counter allergy medication may help resolve the sneezing. In other cases, sneezing may require treatment by a medical professional.

Sneezing can also be caused by an infection, such as the common cold. Less commonly, sneezing can be related to a condition called vasomotor rhinitis, a stuffy or runny nose not caused by allergies or infection. The underlying cause for this condition frequently is not known.

Infectious causes of sneezing

Sneezing may be caused by many infections including:

Common cold (viral respiratory infection) Influenza (flu) Other respiratory tract infections Sinusitis

Other causes of sneezing

Sneezing can also be caused by nasal irritants or allergies including:

Allergic rhinitis (stuffy or runny nose caused by allergies) Chemical compounds that include phosphine, chlorine, and iodine Deviated nasal septum Drug withdrawal Enlarged tonsils and adenoids Mold, dander, dust or pollen Nasal sprays Touching the inside of your nose Vasomotor rhinitis

Serious or life-threatening causes of sneezing

In some cases, sneezing may be a symptom of a serious condition that should be immediately evaluated by a healthcare provider. These include serious infections accompanied by fever.

Questions for diagnosing the cause of sneezing

To diagnose your condition, your doctor or licensed health care practitioner will ask you several questions related to your sneezing including:

Do you have allergies? Do you have any other symptoms? Do you have pets? Do you have trouble controlling your sneezing with over-the-counter medication? Does your sneezing appear to be seasonal? How often do you sneeze, and for how long? What medications are you taking? When did your sneezing start?

What are the potential complications of sneezing?

Sneezing is generally not life-threatening and does not lead to complications. At worst, sneezing is generally a source of annoyance. In persistent cases, however, sneezing can interfere with daily life. Although it is rare, sneezing can be due to serious diseases or infections, and failure to seek treatment for persistent sneezing can result in serious complications and permanent damage. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, it is important for you to follow the treatment plan that you and your health care professional design specifically for you to reduce the risk of potential complications including:

Absenteeism from work or school, chronic irritation of the respiratory tract, difficulty performing daily tasks, the spread of infection.

Source: By HealthGrades Editorial Staff https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/ear-nose-and-throat/sneezing

What is the best remedy for sinus drainage?

Source: By Alana Biggers, MD, MPH https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323569.php

The sinuses are always draining mucus down the back of the throat and into the stomach. There are many health issues that can make this drainage more noticeable.

Healthy sinuses produce mucus that keeps the throat, nose, and airways moist.

Causes of excessive sinus drainage include:

allergies, dry air, dehydration, sinus infections, a cold, the flu, changes in weather.

A person should try:

staying hydrated, using a humidifier, elevating the head at night

Too much drainage can be annoying, and it can also be a risk factor for pneumonia.

Natural remedies for sinus drainage

If sinus drainage is irritating, but not severe, home remedies can usually relieve the discomfort.

Treating underlying causes, by eliminating contact with allergens, for example, can also improve symptoms and prevent them from returning.

The following can help relieve annoying symptoms of sinus drainage:

Steam therapy

Thickened mucus often causes irritating sinus drainage. Steam can thin the mucus, allowing it to flow more easily, and help relieve coughing, pressure, and difficulty breathing.

Some pharmacies and health stores sell small steamers for use on the face and nose.

A person can also breathe in enough steam by closing the bathroom door and turning on a hot shower.

Water and preventing dehydration

Dehydration can cause painful sinus drainage.

Drinking more water and avoiding caffeine can help:

replace fluids, prevent further dehydration, thin the mucus, allowing it to drain more easily

Cool, dry air can also dry out the airways.

Nasal irrigation

Nasal irrigators are devices that help clean out the nose and sinuses. Irrigation can also moisten the sinuses, counteracting the effects of dry air.

Neti pots are among the most popular types of irrigators. Using one can help speed recovery from a sinus infection.

Neti pots and other irrigators are available to buy online. Be sure to use distilled water, not tap water.

Saline sprays can also help and are safe for most people to use on a long-term basis.

Humidifiers

It is easy for the sinuses to dry out in cold weather or dry climates, and this can lead to pain and congestion.

Humidifiers keep the air moist and reduce the effects of cold weather and dry air. Using a humidifier in the bedroom overnight can help.

It may also help to add a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil to the water in a humidifier.

Humidifiers are available for purchase online.

Elevating the head

Sleeping with the head elevated can help the mucus drain and prevent congestion.

Symptoms of acid reflux can be similar to those of sinus drainage. People with acid reflux also tend to benefit from sleeping propped up on extra pillows.

Medical treatments for sinus drainage

A doctor can prescribe decongestants or antihistamines.

Medications that can relieve sinus drainage-related discomfort include:

decongestants, which help thin the mucus so that it can drain more easily

antihistamines when allergies are causing drainage symptoms.

Nasal decongestants can offer temporary relief, but they may become addictive, so consult a doctor before using them. Some decongestants contain the drug pseudoephedrine.

Treating the underlying cause

The right treatment for sinus drainage symptoms depends on the cause, which is often the common cold. A cold is a viral infection that goes away on its own, and antibiotics will not help.

If the flu is causing uncomfortable drainage, antiviral drugs may speed healing. However, these medications only work if a person takes them within a few days of noticing symptoms.

Antiviral flu medication is available by prescription only, so a person should see a doctor as soon as they notice flu symptoms.

If a bacterial sinus infection is causing sinus drainage symptoms, antibiotics may help clear the infection.

If an allergic reaction is responsible, a person should undergo allergy testing and receive a diagnosis. Some prescription medications can help.

Chronic sinusitis can also cause uncomfortable sinus drainage. Antibiotics and corticosteroid medications can help, but a person may require surgery if the sinusitis has caused a blockage.

Causes and prevention of sinus drainage

Sinus drainage is a natural process, so a person cannot prevent it. The sinuses drain down the back of the throat and into the stomach. Each time a person swallows, they are swallowing some mucus.

Symptoms occur when there is an excessive amount of mucus, and the mucus is unusually thick.

Common causes of excess sinus drainage include:

infections, including the flu or a cold, allergies, dry air, dehydration, medications, which can thicken mucus

Also, an injury can affect the ability of the sinuses to drain properly or produce enough mucus.

To reduce the risk of developing uncomfortable sinus drainage:

get a flu shot every year, wash the hands frequently, drink plenty of water, particularly during changes in weather or the seasons, try a nasal saline rinse to clean the sinuses and keep them moisturized, avoid allergens, ask a doctor if any current medications may be thickening the mucus, keep a humidifier on in the bedroom overnight

It is particularly important to wash the hands frequently during cold and flu season, and after coming into close contact with others.

When to see a doctor

A doctor should assess infants who have difficulty breathing.

When sinus drainage becomes uncomfortable, and this lasts longer than a week, a person may have an infection or another issue that requires medical treatment.

Also, a person should see a doctor if they have:

a fever, intense sinus pain and pressure, difficulty breathing, which can indicate pneumonia in a person with a weakened immune system, any symptoms of a sinus infection in an infant younger than 3 months, congestion or difficulty breathing.

Minor discomfort from sinus drainage does not usually indicate a serious medical issue.

Outlook and takeaway

When cold, seasonal changes or dry air causes uncomfortable sinus drainage, the symptoms usually go away on their own.

A sinus infection, allergy, or injury can cause symptoms that last much longer. If home treatments do not work, see a doctor, even if symptoms are minor.

A person can usually manage symptoms of sinus drainage at home. Anyone with long-lasting or recurring sinus drainage discomfort should speak with a doctor about potential causes. Medical treatments can often resolve symptoms more effectively than home remedies.

Source: By Alana Biggers, MD, MPH https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323569.php

Breathing Treatments: Everything You Need to Know

Source: By Debra Sullivan, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, COI https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325603.php

A range of breathing treatments can help a person breathe more easily when they have a medical emergency, an infection, or a chronic health condition.

Breathing treatments use medication to fight infections, remove mucus, dilate parts of the respiratory system, and improve breathing.

Breathing disorders, such as asthma, affect at least 25 million people in the United States — a figure that continues to grow.

Doctors prescribe breathing treatments for respiratory problems. While anyone can have respiratory issues due to an illness or infection, people with chronic respiratory diseases are more vulnerable.

In many cases, a person must take this medication with a nebulizer or an inhaler. These devices allow a person to inhale the drug directly into the airways, rapidly improving breathing.

Read on to learn about the types of breathing treatment that can help treat symptoms of respiratory illness.

Bronchodilators A person may use a bronchodilator to help treat asthma and COPD.

Bronchodilators help relax the muscles in the lower airways, opening the bronchi and bronchioles, which are small passageways in the lungs that help a person breathe.

Dilating these passageways makes it easier for oxygen to flow to the lungs.

Bronchodilators can treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Doctors may also prescribe them for some other conditions, including breathing difficulties relating to lung cancer or exercise-induced constriction.

Many different bronchodilators are available. Most bronchodilators are beta2-agonists, which means that they stimulate the body's beta cells to relax the airways.

The most common bronchodilators include:

Short-acting beta-agonists (SABA): These drugs offer rapid relief of serious symptoms, such as those that occur during an asthma attack. A person usually uses an inhaler to take these drugs. They may include the medications albuterol and levalbuterol. Long-acting beta-agonists (LABA): A person takes these drugs every day to keep their bronchial tubes relaxed. They include medications such as formoterol and salmeterol. People with asthma who take LABAs must also take corticosteroids.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids mimic the body's natural hormones to reduce inflammation from allergies and conditions such as asthma.

Although some doctors also prescribe corticosteroids for COPD, the evidence supporting their use for this condition is mixed. Research from 2012 suggests that they are ineffective as the sole treatment for COPD.

However, the authors of a 2014 article noted that while several placebo-controlled trials have shown that corticosteroids can treat moderate to severe COPD, there is a lack of evidence to suggest that they are effective in treating stable COPD.

Corticosteroids come in oral, inhaled, and intravenous (IV) formulations. Specific corticosteroids that doctors may prescribe as a breathing treatment include:

budesonide

mometasone

fluticasone

Doctors often combine corticosteroids with long-acting beta2-agonists. This treatment approach is called combination therapy.

Antimicrobial drugs Doctors may prescribe antimicrobial drugs to fight pathogens that infect the airways.

Antimicrobial drugs, which include antibiotics and antifungal medications, fight pathogens that infect the airways.

Anyone can have a respiratory infection — such as the common cold — that makes breathing difficult, but people with chronic respiratory infections are more likely to experience serious side effects.

For example, people with HIV are vulnerable to a type of fungal pneumonia called Pneumocystis pneumonia. To fight this infection and treat respiratory symptoms, doctors may prescribe a drug called pentamidine, which can kill the fungus.

Doctors usually prescribe oral antimicrobial drugs, though serious infections might require IV treatment. People with serious respiratory disorders may also need to take inhaled antibiotics.

Mucolytics

Mucolytics are drugs that help loosen sputum, the mucus that the respiratory tract produces. Too much mucus can clog the airway, causing excessive coughing, inflammation, and difficulty breathing.

Allergic reactions and some chronic breathing disorders, such as chronic bronchitis or COPD, may trigger the body to produce too much mucus.

A 2019 Cochrane review that analyzed 38 studies found that mucolytics reduced the risk of flare-ups in people with chronic bronchitis and COPD. Mucolytics also reduced the number of days during which a person was unable to do their everyday tasks, but only by less than half a day per month.

Epinephrine

People with severe allergies can experience a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis quickly narrows or closes the airways, making breathing difficult. Without prompt treatment, it can be fatal.

In most people, an epinephrine injection quickly reverses an allergic reaction, allowing them to breathe again.

People with a history of severe allergic reactions or with allergies that commonly cause anaphylaxis may need to carry an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen) with them at all times. This portable device allows a person to quickly inject themselves or have someone else inject them with epinephrine.

Leukotriene inhibitors

Leukotrienes are inflammatory chemicals that the immune system releases in response to allergens and some other irritants. They constrict the airways and cause the body to release excess mucus, which can lead to congestion and difficulty breathing.

Leukotriene inhibitors, or leukotriene modifiers, can help prevent inflammation due to asthma and allergies. Types of leukotriene inhibitor include:

montelukast

zafirlukast

zileuton

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is an emerging new way to treat respiratory problems. One immunotherapy treatment uses monoclonal antibodies to bind to inflammatory chemicals that make breathing more difficult. Monoclonal antibodies can treat many different conditions, including some cancers.

Some monoclonal antibody treatments may help treat specific types of severe asthma when traditional treatments fail.

When to see a doctor A person should consult a doctor if they are experiencing chronic trouble breathing.

Although many respiratory medications are available over the counter, breathing treatments are prescription drugs. People who think that they might need a breathing treatment should see a doctor.

Signs that a person might need a breathing treatment include:

having a respiratory or breathing disorder that is getting worse or not responding to medication having chronic trouble breathing, experiencing frequent allergic reactions, having frequent congestion, or coughing experiencing shortness of breath, dizziness, or trouble breathing when exercising.

Some respiratory problems require immediate treatment. Go to the emergency room or call 911 for:

Severe breathing problems that make breathing feel impossible

Loss of consciousness due to breathing issues

Signs of anaphylaxis-severe asthma attack that does not respond to inhalers or other treatments

Severe dizziness or lightheadedness due to a chronic respiratory condition

Signs of respiratory distress, such as wheezing, blue skin, or nostril-flaring, in a newborn or infant

Summary

Both chronic and acute breathing issues can be frightening and cause distress. Prompt breathing treatments can relieve discomfort and help a person breathe again.

People with chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma and COPD, should schedule regular appointments to discuss their treatment and symptoms with a doctor.

A respiratory specialist can help a person devise a treatment plan for both chronic and acute symptoms, which can help make breathing difficulties feel more manageable.

Source: By Debra Sullivan, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, COI https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325603.php