The following symptoms may indicate a sinus infection in your child:

     • a “cold” lasting more than 10 to 14 days, sometimes with a low-grade fever
   • thick yellow-green nasal drainage
   • post-nasal drip, sometimes leading to or exhibited as sore throat, cough, bad breath, nausea and/or vomiting
   • headache, usually in children age six or older
   • irritability or fatigue
   • swelling around the eyes.

 
Young children are more prone to infections of the nose, sinus, and ears, especially in the first several years of life. These are most frequently caused by viral infections (colds), and they may be aggravated by allergies. However, if your child remains ill beyond the usual week to ten days, a sinus infection may be the cause.
 
You can reduce the risk of sinus infections for your child by reducing exposure to known environmental allergies and pollutants such as tobacco smoke, reducing his/her time at day care, and treating stomach acid reflux disease.

Acute sinusitis:

Most children respond very well to antibiotic therapy. It is equally important that your child be on a probiotic for the length of antibiotic treatment as well as for several months after the antibiotic treatment is over. This will help to offset the negative effects of the antibiotics that lead to further mucus and other immune system and digestive problems.

Nasal decongestant sprays or saline nasal sprays may also be prescribed for short-term relief of stuffiness. Nasal saline (saltwater) drops or gentle spray can be helpful in thinning secretions and improving mucous membrane function. Over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines are not generally effective for viral upper respiratory infections in children, and the role of such medications for treatment of sinusitis is not well defined. Such medications should not be given to children younger than two years old.

If your child has acute sinusitis, symptoms should improve within the first few days of treatment. Even if your child improves dramatically within the first week of treatment, it is important that you complete the antibiotic treatment. It is equally important that your child be on a probiotic for the length of antibiotic treatment as well as for several months after the antibiotic treatment is over. This will help to offset the negative effects of the antibiotics that lead to further mucus and other immune system and digestive problems.

Your doctor may decide to treat your child with additional medicines if he/she has allergies or other conditions that make the sinus infection worse.

Chronic sinusitis:

If your child suffers from one or more symptoms of sinusitis for at least 12 weeks, he or she may have chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis or recurrent episodes of acute sinusitis numbering more than four to six per year, are indications that you should seek consultation with an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat—ENT—specialist). The ENT may recommend medical or surgical treatment of the sinuses. They may recommend going to a Holistic Chiropractor to have conservative treatment first before recommending surgical treatment.

Diagnosis of sinusitis:

If your child sees an ENT specialist, the doctor will examine his/her ears, nose, and throat. A thorough history and examination usually leads to the correct diagnosis. Occasionally, special instruments will be used to look into the nose during the office visit. An x-ray called a CT scan may help to determine how completely your child's sinuses are developed, where any blockage has occurred, and confirm the diagnosis of sinusitis. The doctor may look for factors that make your child more likely to get sinus infection, including structural changes, allergies, and problems with the immune system.  Referral to a Holistic Chiropractor will help address all of these concerns.

Dr. Huntoon has so much experience with this condition. Since sinusitis involves congestion in the head, Dr. Huntoon has been able to locate the reason for congested thoughts within the adult or child and help them release the stubborness around "I won't" or the low self-esteem of "I can't."  In addition to supporting dietary changes and recommending a whole food supplement that eats up mucus fast, this has always shown to remedy the sinusitis while preventing it from returning. 



Working with a Holistic Chiropractor who can determine if your child’s head is mal-positioned on their spine will help to determine if the sinuses are draining properly. If there is a concern, the Holistic Chiropractor will make the necessary adjustment to your child to allow proper alignment of the head on the spine and allow the sinuses to drain properly. This usually takes one or two adjustments and allows for a full recovery.

If the child has had a history of antibiotics, your Holistic Chiropractor will discuss with you the underlying reason for sinus congestion and what can be done to treat and prevent sinusitis.

Surgery is considered for the small percentage of children with severe or persistent sinusitis symptoms despite consulting with a Holistic Chiropractor or use of medical therapy.

Using an instrument called an endoscope, the ENT surgeon opens the natural drainage pathways of your child's sinuses and makes the narrow passages wider. This also allows for culturing so that antibiotics can be directed specifically against your child's sinus infection. Opening up the sinuses and allowing air to circulate usually results in a reduction in the number and severity of sinus infections. Supporting the child with a probiotic during and after antibiotic therapy for several months is warranted.

Also, your doctor may advise removing adenoid tissue from behind the nose as part of the treatment for sinusitis. Although the adenoid tissue does not directly block the sinuses, infection of the adenoid tissue, called adenoiditis (obstruction of the back of the nose), can cause many symptoms that are similar to sinusitis, namely, runny nose, stuffy nose, post-nasal drip, bad breath, cough, and headache.

Appreciate that removing the adenoids is the same as removing part of the primary immune defense system. Once removed, future infections can get deeper into the body and lead to more serious health concerns. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor before removing the adenoids or tonsils.

Medicines Two Choices for You

Dr. Huntoon has so much experience with this condition. Since sinusitis involves congestion in the head, Dr. Huntoon has been able to locate the reason for congested thoughts within the adult or child and help them release the stubborness around "I won't" or the low self-esteem of "I can't."  In addition to supporting dietary changes and recommending a whole food supplement that eats up mucus fast, this has always shown to remedy the sinusitis while preventing it from returning. 

Sinusitis in children is different than sinusitis in adults. Children more often demonstrate a cough, bad breath, crankiness, low energy, and swelling around the eyes, along with a thick yellow-green nasal or post-nasal drip. Once the diagnosis of sinusitis has been made, children are successfully treated by a Holistic Chiropractor who can address the underlying cause for the sinusitis.

Sinusitis symptoms can also be successfully treated with antibiotic therapy in most cases. It is equally important that your child be on a probiotic for the length of antibiotic treatment as well as for several months after the antibiotic treatment is over. This will help to offset the negative effects of the antibiotics that lead to further mucus and other Immune System and Digestive System problems.

In the rare child where medical therapy fails, surgical therapy can be used as a safe and effective method of treating sinus disease in children. This should always be a last resort after all conservative and other non-conservative measures have been exhausted.