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Sinus Pain

Do...

• Use a saline spray or rinse to clear out mucus and bacteria and help reduce pressure.
• Take a decongestant that contains pseudoephedrine (such as Sudafed), which will quickly shrink the inflamed blood vessels that are causing the pain.
• Ease head discomfort by taking ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory. Note: It’s OK to take a decongestant and ibuprofen (found in Advil)―the two active ingredients are often sold in one pill. However, experts suggest taking them separately to better control the dosages.

• Rely on antibiotics or steroid nasal sprays. A study revealed that people who took a placebo recovered just as quickly as those who used a steroid spray.

• Your symptoms don’t subside in a week, the pain is severe, or you have a fever higher than 100 degrees. You may have a bacterial sinus infection that calls for antibiotics.