Sinusitis – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment. Complications of sinusitis

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The autumn-winter period is the time when we are most exposed to various infections, manifested by runny nose, fever and cough. Duration is usually several days. However, if the runny nose lasts longer, it may be that the infection has spread to the paranasal sinuses. Check what to do when sinusitis appears.

Sinusitis – What are the sinuses?

Inflammation of the sinuses is manifested by a recurrent runny nose, pain when moving the head, a feeling of crowding around the forehead and cheeks. The disease is quite common and should not be taken lightly. Few people know that if left untreated, it can have serious health consequences.

The sinuses are empty spaces that lie around the nose and forehead. Healthy sinuses (cavities) are filled with air. Their task is to produce a thin, slimy secretion needed to moisturize and purify the air we breathe. The ethmoid, frontal, maxillary and sphenoid sinuses should be distinguished, all of which are referred to as the paranasal sinuses.

Generally problemy z zatokami they appear in autumn and winter, when we experience the greatest differences in indoor and outdoor temperature. This leads to the drying of the nasal mucosa and sinuses, which facilitates the penetration of pollutants and pathogenic microorganisms, i.e. viruses and bacteria.

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Sinusitis – symptoms

Infections that we deal with in the fall and winter are most often associated with headaches, muscle aches, a feeling of breakdown, scratching in the throat, runny nose and increased body temperature. However, it’s worth remembering that these are also the first symptoms of sinusitis.

The symptoms of sinusitis can vary depending on where the inflammation is located. Inflammation of the sinuses is mainly associated with severe headache. Where you feel pain depends on the type of sinusitis you have:

1. pain under the eyes and around the cheekbones – could mean maxillary sinusitis;
2. pain above the eyes and throughout the forehead – could mean frontal sinusitis;
3. pain between the eyes or at the base of the nose – this could mean ethmoid sinusitis;
4. pain in the sockets and the back of the head – could mean sphenoiditis.

In addition, sinusitis is associated with:

1. feeling of secretions running down the back of the throat – this is associated with coughing and grunting;
2. constantly stuffed nose;
3. olfactory disorders;
4. an unpleasant smell from the mouth.

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Sinusitis – types

Sinusitis affects the paranasal sinuses and the nasal cavity. The disease may be of varying severity. For this reason, it should be distinguished:

1. acute sinusitis – it occurs e.g. once a year and lasts less than 12 weeks. Most often the inflammation disappears after about 10 days. If your sinusitis is properly treated, it leaves no trace of it;
2. chronic sinusitis – chronic disease is much more severe. Chronic sinusitis means that acute sinusitis has not been treated properly. This is especially true when acute inflammation frequently recurs. Chronic sinus infection usually lasts more than 12 weeks, and the patient has symptoms all the time with varying degrees of severity. The medications used cannot cope with this type of inflammation.

Often times, a sinus repair procedure is necessary. The inflammation-related symptoms may suddenly increase (fever and severe headache). Then it is necessary to implement appropriate treatment, which, however, allows you to return to the state from before the deterioration, and not to complete recovery.

Chronic sinusitis is a consequence of untreated or untreated inadequately treated acute sinusitis. It also happens that the medications used do not work and the inflammation turns into a chronic state by itself. Most often it is related to the anatomical structure of the nasal cavities and the sinuses themselves, which can make it difficult for the discharge from the sinuses to escape.

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Sinusitis – complications

Chronic sinusitis has serious health implications. Over time, prolonged inflammation leads to hypertrophic changes in the nasal mucosa and the formation of cysts, i.e. spherical changes inside the fluid-filled sinuses.

Complications of sinusitis are also associated with the development of:

1. meningitis;
2. epidural abscesses;
3. subdural abscesses;
4. brain abscesses;
5. cavernous sinus thrombosis.

In addition, some patients may develop orbital complications:

1. inflammatory swelling of the eyelids;
2. orbital soft tissue inflammation;
3. subperiosteal abscesses;
4. abscesses of the eye socket.

Therefore, the symptoms of sinusitis that appear should not be ignored. It is very important to get the right treatment as soon as possible.

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Sinusitis – causes

Sinusitis is a frequently diagnosed condition. It happens that pain associated with sinusitis it is confused with migraine headaches. Inflammation occurs at any age and regardless of gender. The main cause is viruses, bacteria and fungi that enter the sinuses and start multiplying there. The risk is much higher for people who have a blocked nose (for example, from an infection).

The causes of obstruction include:

1. curvature of the nasal septum;
2. hypertrophy or abnormalities in the internal structure of the nose (turbinates);
3. swelling of the nasal cavity;
4. polyps;
5. narrowing of the sinuses;
6. spreading dental diseases such as caries to the paranasal sinuses.

Some causes of obstruction are associated with genetic defects that result from abnormalities in the movement of the cilia of the respiratory epithelium. They are most often diagnosed in childhood.

In some people, the obstruction may also be caused by mechanical trauma, such as a blow to the nose, Wegener’s granulomatosis, tuberculosis, nasal tumors, immune disorders and air pollution.

An allergy can be another cause of sinusitis. When the body is in contact with an allergen, each breath makes the patient feel worse. Allergen most often leads to swelling of the nasal mucosa, obstructing the flow of air. Symptoms of inflammation appear over time. Not only grass and tree pollen are dangerous, but also fungi, molds, mites, animal hair, and various chemical compounds released, for example, from paints on the walls.

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Sinusitis – diagnosis

When a patient develops bothersome symptoms, he should see a doctor quickly to avoid it dangerous complications related to sinusitis. In the doctor’s office, the doctor collects a detailed interview and also performs an ENT examination. If necessary, the doctor may also order additional tests.

At the beginning of the visit, the doctor palpates the patient’s face and neck. This is to identify areas that are painful when touched. During the ENT examination, the doctor performs an anterior rhinoscopy, i.e. assesses the nasal cavity with a speculum using a head lamp. In the nasal cavity, it looks for secretions and polyps, but also assesses whether there are signs of inflammation on the mucosa.

If necessary, the doctor may use a flexible or rigid endoscope during the examination, which allows for a close examination of the sinuses. The results of an ENT examination are often supplemented with imaging tests. In the past, doctors often recommended taking an X-ray, but today they recommend computed tomography much more often.

In this way, the doctor is able to take a close look at the sinuses, the nasal cavity and all surrounding tissues. In addition, tomography reveals any pathological changes, allows you to determine the method of treatment and determine the cause of sinusitis.

Another test that can help diagnose sinusitis is MRI. You do not need a referral for the examination.

If there is acute sinusitis, the doctor may also take a sample of biological material. This sample is sent to a microbiological laboratory where it is inoculated. If allergic sinusitis is suspected, your doctor may also order allergy tests.

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Sinusitis – treatment

Initially, you can try to treat sinusitis with home remedies. If the sinusitis is viral, treatment is based on relieving the distressing symptoms. In this case, it is recommended to inhale, drink plenty of fluids, compresses on the forehead around the sinuses and moisturize the nasal mucosa. Try Gel compress – Visiomed thermotherapy eye mask available on Medonet Market.

Currently, pharmacies also offer special home sinus cleansing kits, which can also help overcome them ailments related to sinusitis.

Try SinuGrip on Herbal Monasterium sinuses – capsules with herbal active ingredients that support the fight against inflammation and cleanse the respiratory tract.

If home remedies fail, it is worth seeking help from your GP. It is also recommended to use anti-inflammatory drugs, decongestants of the nasal mucosa and sinuses. These are drugs taken by mouth and in the form of nasal drops. However, it should be remembered that nasal drops should not be used for more than 5-7 days, as this may lead to the dependence of the mucosa on their effects. This means that the swelling may come back after they have been stopped.

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If sinusitis is associated with a high temperature, severe swelling of the periorbital tissues, or lasts longer than 2 weeks, antibiotic therapy is necessary. Such therapy lasts about 10-14 days and must be completed even if the symptoms disappear earlier. However, if there is no improvement after 7 days, the doctor should change the antibiotic.

In addition, if the sinusitis is caused by fungi, antifungal preparations should be introduced. In this case, surgery may also be necessary. If an allergy is the cause of sinusitis, the doctor will most often prescribe nasal corticosteroids.

Chronic and recurrent sinusitis it is also an indication for surgical treatment. Today, they are most often performed by endoscopic intranasal microsurgery with the use of a camera and a light source using surgical microsurgery.

Although treating sinusitis is not always easy, it is possible to cure it completely. Complications of acute sinusitis are quite rare, with the most common becoming chronic. In some patients, sinusitis leads to asthmatic attacks or to simultaneous otitis media.

In some cases, inflammation can spread to other tissues as well. If the infection spreads to the area of ​​the brain, it may even cause inflammation of the periorbital tissues and the skin above the eye socket. Sinusitis is also associated with the risk of meningitis and thrombosis in the surrounding venous outflow.

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Sinusitis – prophylaxis

Sinusitis develops in people of all ages. The risk of developing the disease can be reduced by avoiding, above all, people who are ill with infections of the upper respiratory tract. On risk of developing sinusitis exposure to cigarette smoke and various air pollutants is also affected. For the prevention of sinusitis, it is also important to properly treat allergies and take care of the appropriate level of air humidity in the rooms where we spend most of our time. This is especially important during the heating season.

Some dietary supplements, such as Sinuses – a liquid supplement, which you can buy in a promotional offer on Medonet Market, have a supportive effect on the respiratory system and the secretion of mucus in the upper respiratory tract.

If you struggle with sinusitis a lot, you can also try the inhaler, which is recommended for upper respiratory tract infections. You will find a wide offer on Medonet Market.