The word antibiotic means “against life” and these medications are intended to be used to get rid of the bacterial form of life. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses.

The proper way to ensure that the bacteria is totally eliminated is summarized here:

1. Take your temperature before your first dose of antibiotic. Get a piece of paper or notebook to track the date, time and temperature.

2. Take your temperature again 1 hour and 6 hours after your first dose. Write these down.

3. Take your temperature again 1 hour after each dose and write these readings down (again with date, time and temperature.)

3. If after 24 hours your temperature has not dropped to 97F or below, call us and let your prescribing doctor know. Your antibiotic will need to either be changed or the dosage increased depending on what your temperature has been doing.

4. Be sure that you continue to track your temperature. You will continue on the antibiotic until your temperature comes back up to normal (near 98.6F) even though you are continuing the antibiotic.

5. You may need a refill on the antibiotic if the temperature is still low and you have run out of the prescription.

IMPORTANT: Do not stop taking the antibiotic until the temperature comes back up to normal, even if you feel better. If you stop too soon, all of the bacterial will not have been killed and the infection will return.

SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTIBIOTICS:

Like any other medication there can be side effects. Below are the most common side effects and what to do to relieve them.

1. Stomach upset. This can be caused because the antibiotic is killing off the good bacteria in the digestive tract along with the “bad” bacteria. The solution for this is to put the good bacteria back into your intestines by eating yogurt with live probiotic cultures. Probiotic means “supporting life.” Probiotics are also available in liquid, capsule or pill form. These may also go by the name of “acidophilus” or other culture name. Continue to take these for a few weeks after you have finished your antibiotics.

2. Persistent upset stomach, despite taking probiotics, is handled by taking B2 capsules. One capsule with each meal.

3. Sore gums. This is handled by taking 1000 mg Vitamin C twice a day until the symptoms go away.

4. Depression, nightmares, lethargy. This is handled by taking 100 to 500 mg B1 twice a day, depending on severity of symptoms. Stop taking the B1 once the symptoms subside.

5. Avoid dairy products that have hormones (use organic milk and cheese only) and meat or poultry that has been given hormones or antibiotics. These can make the side effects of your medication worse. Eat organically raised animal products or “free range” animal products.

Other recommendations:

Take a good multivitamin and multi-mineral daily, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, get enough protein daily and avoid fatty or fried foods.

Following these guidelines will ensure a full recovery from your ailment.

People who suffer from sinusitis wish to know more about the disease because they fear if it will have any adverse effect on their health because of prolonged suffering from the symptoms of Sinusitis. However speaking the truth, sinusitis doesn’t threat that much to your health though it tends to create lot of irritation and restlessness situations in your personal life! The most common cause of acute sinusitis is common cold. But chronic sinusitis can be due to many other reasons. The inflammation or infection of the sinusitis is caused due to infection of viruses, fungus or bacteria. If you are using regular medications prescribed by doctors and still finding no relief, you can try some natural remedies for it.

Yes, there are some common and natural remedies that people can try to get rid of the sinusitis symptoms and also treat the ailment at home. These are herbal treatments where we apply ingredients that are found in the back of the garden or kitchen of your home. They are natural treatments and there is no reason to worry about any side effect.

Echinacea tea: Take the herbal tea as it has the ingredients to boost the immune system to fight the viruses of respiratory disorders. When you start feeling the symptoms of the diseases make sure to have a cup of tea in the morning and evening. The herbal extracts are also available in the form of capsules.

Ginger: Ginger is often said the best herbal treatment for sinusitis at home. It acts as anti-inflammatory medicine for the swelling around the eye and nasal region! Drink ginger juice extracted in the morning or have it as herbal tea. This is highly used in Asian countries to treat this problem.

Peppermint: This is helpful in reducing the symptoms of the sinusitis. You can take steams of peppermint at home twice a day to get relief from the symptoms of the ailment. People also sip peppermint tea to get rid of inflammation and get clear nose.

Licorice: This natural ingredient has two main properties in treating the chronic sinusitis. It helps in reducing the inflammation of the problem and also boosting your immune system to fight the bacteria, viruses and fungus responsible for infecting the sinuses.