When the sinus pain and pressure hit, many of us will automatically reach for an over-the-counter pain reliever such as an ibuprofen like Advil or an acetaminophen like Tylenol. We know these medications work for some ailments, including a common headache, but are they really effective for relieving sinus pain? Yes and no.

How do ibuprofen and acetaminophen work?

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that keeps your body from producing the substances that cause inflammation. Acetaminophen, on the other hand, works to hinder the signals that let you know you’re in pain.

The truth is both are effective, but only temporarily, and neither one will alleviate all of the common symptoms of sinusitis. In addition, each one comes with monetary costs and inconveniences (you have to take them every couple of hours and stock up often). Like any medication, they also come with risks. For example, ibuprofen can cause heart and stomach issues while acetaminophen can lead to allergic reactions. Fortunately, these side effects are rare, but it’s a big chance to take.

Why OTC pain relievers aren’t the answer.

As we said above, these treatments are only temporary and have to be taken for as long as you are suffering … and then taken again when the sinus pain comes back. It’s a vicious cycle. More importantly, pain relievers only treat the symptoms and not the actual cause of your suffering. Chronic sinusitis can be caused by a number of things, which in turn cause inflammation, pain and blockage. These causes include:

• Nasal polyps
• Allergies & allergic reactions
• Deviated nasal septum
• Facial trauma resulting in fracture or broken bone
• Other medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, gastroesophageal reflux, or HIV

So if you want to really put an end to your symptoms – permanently – CT Sinus Center can help.

 Why an appointment at CT Sinus Center is the answer.

At CT Sinus Center, sinusitis is our specialty. Doctors Martin J. Spinella, Larry Marcus and Chris Loughlin all possess strong backgrounds and are well-versed in the latest advancements, treatments and procedures when it comes to treating acute and chronic sinusitis.

When you come in, we’ll take the extra time to really talk to you about your sinus pain and medical history before we do anything else. Then after we get to the root of the problem, we’ll develop a treatment plan that is right for you. We may find that you are the perfect candidate for balloon sinuplasty, a non-invasive, in-office procedure that can end sinus suffering forever.

Call 860-BALLOON to make your appointment at one CT Sinus Center’s four conveniently-located offices – Kent, Litchfield, Shelton and Waterbury – and leave the OTC pain remedies on the counter.

For additional information on sinus-related conditions or treatments, read more about CT Sinus Center and take a look at our blog.