Antibiotics...Not The 1st Step

Sinus pain and pressure are no fun, and they really affect a child's sleep, disposition, and appetite, so it is important to address this common problem.

The underlying cause of the havoc is simply swelling. YES, the swelling of the mucous membranes prevent the sinus outflow and ear drainage from normal ventilation. When tissues are swollen, the normal mucus is hindered from draining as designed and pressure builds up in both the ears and sinus cavities.

When is swelling an issue? The common cold, influenza, gastroesophageal reflux, allergies, Cystic Fibrosis are some situations when edema (swelling) is the problem. Chronic irritation can result in benign growths called polyps. 95% of all CT of the sinuses taken during the common cold will show ethmoid infudibulum swelling (the ethmoid sinus opening swells) and this is too often mistken for a bacterial infection.

My mentors always reinforced that we must treat the underlying cause for real healing to occur. If your child has reflux, address that issue. If your child has allergies, address that issue. Avoid asking for medications for the first step!

Antibiotics overuse can cause fungal sinusitis in addition to resistant bacterial sinusitis. Decongestant nasal sprays paralyze the cilia (nose hairs), antihistamines do not address this underlying issue, and they can cause dryness hen the most important factor needed is moisture.

On the other hand, a comfortable and easy nasal wash system will safely and effectively shrink the swollen membranes, thin the secretions so they can drain naturally, improve the filtering system, and even kill the viral or bacterial particles. You don't need any drugs or visits to the doctor. Simply washing the "wound" will usually do the trick. There's no risk to nasal washing, but there are great benefits, and it feels good too.

Nasal washing is a simple process when the correct system is used. As a board certified pediatrician, I have found that teaching children how to do nasal washing is rather easy. It is the parents who I must convince that nasal cleansing will feel good and soothing. Once the parent is on board, teaching the child is very easy.

Here's how you do it: Fill the bottle with warm water and add the correct buffered salt packets. Buffering is paramount to comfort. Following the directions on the package, hold the bottle so that the flushing is along the nasal floor, not upward. This also ensures comfort. Squeeze the water into one nostril, and the debris exits out of the opposite nostril.

I suggest the parent demonstrates to the child first. Just as we teach our children how to brush their teeth, we need to teach them how to wash their noses. It's best to take it one step at a time. Because it feels good, the parent only needs to perfect the child's technique with each subsequent washing. I have found that allowing children to watch videos of other children washing can turn the process into a game. One important rule is to never do it to your child, ever. Teach your child to do it himself.

Many references support that children will benefit from nasal washing. From symptom relief to illness prevention, hundreds of clinical studies and research projects have been conducted with positive outcomes on various aspects of nasal washing. For example, this study supports waiting on antibiotics: Efficacy of Isotonic Nasal Wash (Seawater) in the Treatment and Prevention of Rhinitis in Children  (here is the link:  http://archotol.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/134/1/67)

Be Well, Dr. Hana Share your experiences or ask a question \n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "> This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hana R. Solomon, M.D. S573-999-0450
Author of Clearing the Air, One Nose at a Time: Caring for Your Personal Filter \n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ">