Sinusitis can cause a lot of discomfort and, if not treated properly, can worsen your medical condition. Learn more!
Sinusitis can cause severe discomfort and a number of other side effects that make routine life more difficult, as the health problem is related to breathing and can cause pain in sensitive areas of the face.
Like other similar health problems, such as rhinitis and bronchitis, sinusitis may be more common during times of the year such as fall and winter, when the milder climate favors the spread of dust, soot, pollutants, bacteria and viruses that cause allergic inflammation in the tissues of the nose and its surroundings.
It is essential to pay attention to sinusitis and treat the situation as quickly as possible. In addition to avoiding the discomfort caused by pain and other symptoms of sinusitis, treatment prevents the disease from worsening which, if poorly treated, can even lead to death.
What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis is the inflammation of the so-called mucous membranes of the facial sinuses or paranasal sinuses. These tissues are present in the bony cavities of the skull, in the areas near the eyes, cheekbones and nose.
The function of the sinuses is to reduce the weight of the skull, warm the air that is inhaled and give resonance to the voice. The lining of the sinuses is made up of a mucous membrane, similar in consistency to that found in the nose, which has glands responsible for producing mucus. This mucosa is also equipped with cilia in a vibrating structure to guide the substances that the mucus retains towards the nose, so that they are eliminated from the region, in a continuous flow.
However, when an allergic or infectious process occurs, the mucous membranes become inflamed and the flow of mucus is obstructed, which causes a number of unpleasant symptoms and health risks, mainly due to the installation of viruses and bacteria in situations like this.
Sinusitis can be divided into several types, depending on the intensity of the symptoms and the frequency with which the disease is observed in patients.
What is it and what are the symptoms of acute sinusitis?
Acute sinusitis usually has a viral or bacterial cause and causes symptoms such as:
● Headache concentrated in the frontal area of the face;
● Pain in the jaw areas or even toothache;
● Pain in the area between or behind the eyes;
● Nasal obstruction, making breathing difficult;
● Greenish, yellow, or bloody discharge.
What is chronic sinusitis and what are the symptoms?
Chronic sinusitis has similar symptoms to acute sinusitis, but with different intensity. In some cases, coughing is the most common symptom, especially at night, when moving to lie down to sleep causes secretions caused by sinusitis to flow down the nasal passages and irritate the airways.
What is allergic fungal sinusitis?
Fungal allergic sinusitis is caused by the presence of fungi in the mucous membrane of the nasal passages, which cause irritation and allergies. Symptoms are similar to the previous types of sinusitis, with an emphasis on nasal congestion and discharge.
What are the symptoms of sinusitis?
Among the most common symptoms of sinusitis are:
● Fever;
● Runny nose;
● Cough;
● Fatigue;
● Muscle pain;
● Headache and pain in areas such as the eyes, behind the eyes, face or jaw;
● Nasal obstruction and difficulty breathing;
● Presence of yellow or greenish secretions, with or without blood;
● Lack of appetite.
What are the causes of sinusitis?
Sinusitis can be caused by a number of factors, especially those related to elements present in the air. Smoke, dust, soot or pollution in the air are factors that contribute to the onset of sinusitis.
Furthermore, periods such as autumn, winter or rainy periods favor the appearance of sinusitis, since air circulation in common areas can be limited by closing windows and intense use of air conditioning in closed spaces.
Without free circulation of air, the spread of allergic agents in the mucosal region of the paranasal sinuses is greater, which favors the appearance of sinusitis. Therefore, those who work in person in offices or patients admitted to hospitals or intensive care units may be at greater risk of developing sinusitis.
How to treat sinusitis?
Sinusitis treatment may involve processes such as washing the nose with a solution of water, sugar and salt, saline, or water vapor via nebulization, to help clear the nasal passages.
It is also advisable to increase your water and fluid intake, as well as avoid constant presence in refrigerated or poorly air circulating environments. Positioning your head back can provide greater comfort and facilitate the elimination of secretions, especially before sleeping.
Self-medication is not recommended for sinusitis, as inappropriate use of medications such as antihistamines, antibiotics or corticosteroids can worsen the condition. Instead, preventive treatments are preferred, such as nasal washing and reducing the use of air conditioning.
Only specialist doctors, such as an ENT, will be able to evaluate whether sinusitis requires the use of corticosteroids or antibiotics, whether the cause of the allergy is bacterial or viral.
What to do when sinusitis is severe?
When the symptoms of sinusitis last for more than 10 days or when fever or intense pain occurs within 3 or 4 days, it is advisable to contact the doctor to evaluate the condition and take medications, through the use of antiallergics, antibiotics or corticosteroids, in addition to treatments such as nebulization and nasal washing.
In more severe situations, hospitalization or even surgery may be recommended to remove secretions, improve nasal drainage and airway ventilation.
To find out more tips on wellness, health and other topics to help you live an even better and healthier life, visit the Terra Você website!
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
