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Sinusitis is one of the top ten medical conditions that plague us. In addition, they are frequently underestimated, ascribing the ailments to the common cold. what are the causes and symptoms of sinusitis? How are they treated?
Paranasal sinusitisusually begins with a runny nose. When the week has passed and your nose is still congested, you hardly smell and you have a headache, stop telling yourself it's just a cold. The infection is probably already developing in the sinuses.
The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the bony structure of the skull around the nose and eyes. They play the role of, among others sound box - it is thanks to them that our voice takes on color, just like the guitar body changes the timbre of the sound made by the strings. They are also something like a buffer in the case of mechanical injuries of the skull - on impact, the skull does not break, but deforms temporarily. However, their main task is the production of thin mucus secretion (about 1000 ml per day), which simultaneously moisturizes the epithelium and the air inhaled, as well as collects impurities from it and removes them into the nasal cavities, and from them - outside. Therefore, the proper functioning of the sinuses depends on the free flow of air and the movement of mucus secretions.
How does sinusitis develop?
During a runny nose, the mucosa of the nose and sinuses swell, and at the same time the amount of secretions produced by it increases. The swollen mucosa gradually closes the previously open tubules that connect the sinuses with the nasal cavity. Then a negative pressure is created in the sinuses, which favors the penetration of viruses and bacteria into them. The accumulating secretion, which has a difficult exit from the sinuses, is a great breeding ground for microorganisms. As a result of their intensive multiplication, inflammation develops.
The cause of the disease may be any infection of the upper respiratory tract, allergies, untreated teeth. People with sinusitis abnormalities or with a deviated nasal septum or polyps are particularly vulnerable to sinusitis and frequent relapses.
The primary culprit of sinusitis is most often viruses (mainly rhinoviruses): the nose is dripping, the temperature rises a little, there may be pain in the muscles, throat and abdomen. Symptoms usually occur within 2-3 daysthey get milder, and after a few more days the disease will go away on its own.
Unfortunately - there is often the so-called superinfections, which means that viruses pave the way for much more dangerous bacteria (staphylococci, Moraxella, influenza, streptococci). Then the temperature rises, there is purulent discharge from the nose, a nagging headache, coughing caused by the discharge of secretions down the back of the throat. If the infection is not de alt with and becomes chronic, the symptoms are significantly milder. However, the disease progresses, over time it spreads to further sinuses (because their openings are located close to each other), and even other parts of the body - it can cause, for example, inflammation of the bones of the skull, eye, meningitis, intracranial abscesses, throat infections, ears.
Diagnosis of sinusitis
So if you can't deal with a stuffy nose, don't delay the visit to the ENT doctor. From the description of the ailment, the doctor can tell that the problem is in the sinuses. A simple endoscopic examination provides more information. It consists in introducing an optical device into the nasal cavities, which allows the monitor to enlarge, e.g. sinus openings, assess the patency of the nose, the condition of the mucosa, the position of the nasal septum and possible deformation of the nasal septum, as well as the presence of polyps. The test helpful in diagnosing sinusitis is thermography - it involves the assessment of temperature differences between he althy and diseased tissue, as well as endoscopy (an endoscope is inserted into the maxillary sinus to assess the changes and, if possible, they are removed immediately) .
Sinusitis treatment
About 98% of sinus infections are viral. In these cases, the most important thing is to open the sinus opening so that the secretion can drain freely. You can reach for topical preparations that decongest the nasal mucosa - in the form of drops or sprays, but remember not to use them for more than 3-4 days.
Oral pseudoephedrine preparations are also helpful, as they constrict the nasal mucosa, relieve pain and reduce fever. You can also use simple home remedies that will help to open the sinuses - herbal inhalations (e.g. with sage or mint infusion) or rinse your nose with a saline solution.
However, if there are symptoms of a bacterial infection - stuffy nose, purulent runny nose, fever, headache and face pain - an antibiotic is necessary. The therapy lasts 10-14 days. Additionally, the doctor usually recommendsthe use of drugs (drops, gel, aerosol) decongest the nasal mucosa and mucolytics, i.e. thinning the secretions.
Puncture is sometimes necessary. It is performed under local anesthesia. The doctor inserts a needle through the nose into the sinuses, pulls away the secretion there (bacteriological examination is carried out to precisely select the drug) and rinses the sinuses with an antibiotic solution.
If the therapy turns out to be ineffective and the risk of complications (e.g. optic neuritis) is high, surgery remains. Its purpose is to open the sinus opening and remove mucosa fragments changed as a result of infection.
You must do itDo you have sinus problems? TEST
Answer the questions. At least 3 affirmative answers most likely mean sinus problems - see an ENT specialist.
- Do you have pain at the root of your nose?
- Or maybe it covers the forehead area?
- Does the pain worsen when you change your body position, e.g. lean forward, tilt your head back?
- Do you sometimes feel pressure on your face?
- Inhale and exhale through your nose. Are the characteristic pains mentioned above accompanied by a runny nose or difficulty breathing through the nose?
- Do you have a feeling that there is a continuous secretion in your throat or do you feel it running down the back of your throat?
Sick bay
The sinuses warm, moisturize and clean the air you breathe. As a result, it does not irritate the mucosa of the respiratory tract as it passes further into the throat and lungs. The nose and sinuses are also the first immune barrier to viruses, bacteria and allergens. What Happens When Your Sinuses Are Sick? What are the most common sinus problems? These and many other questions related to sinus diseases are answered by our otolaryngologist, Michał Michalik.
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