Dorothy FarrarSinus infection
In medical jargon, inflammation of the paranasal sinuses is also referred to as sinusitis ; in this disease, the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses is inflamed. There are two forms – acute and chronic sinusitis. Sinusitis often accompanies a cold.
What is a sinus infection?
Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses (sinusitis), a fairly common disease, can occur both acutely and chronically. If this lasts longer than three months, this is called the chronic form of this disease. This is usually quite harmless, only in very rare cases can serious complications such as meningitis (meningitis) occur.
A sinus infection is a very common condition and affects children and adults alike. The term paranasal sinuses refers to both the frontal and the maxillary sinuses, as well as the sphenoid sinus and the ethmoid bone – inflammation of the paranasal sinuses can affect all of these sinuses.
causes
The paranasal sinuses are cavities in the nose that are lined with mucous membrane. In most cases, viral or bacterial infections are the trigger for a sinus infection.
Quite often, this disease occurs directly as a side effect of a flu-like infection ( cold ). Acute sinusitis is almost always preceded by inflammation of the nasal mucosa ( rhinitis ).
In the case of chronic sinusitis, the evacuation of nasal secretions is permanently disturbed.
Other factors that can lead to sinusitis are a misalignment of the nasal walls or enlarged turbinates and nasal polyps.
Incidentally, a sinus infection that affects the maxillary sinus can also be triggered by a tooth extraction or diseased tooth roots. Fluctuations in pressure, such as those seen in diving or flying, can also trigger acute sinusitis.
symptoms and course
The symptoms of sinusitis are very similar to the signs of a cold and are expressed in headaches and body aches as well as a runny nose with a yellow-greenish secretion. Nasal breathing is usually severely impaired and the sense of smell and taste is also severely impaired.
Facial pain and a feeling of tension in the face are also typical symptoms of a sinus infection. This pain can be stabbing, nagging, or throbbing, and it usually gets worse with pressure on the affected area. Even a moderate to severe fever is not uncommon with a sinus infection.
In addition to all these main symptoms mentioned above, various side symptoms such as ear or throat pain can also occur.
Diagnose
Sinusitis is diagnosed based on the usual accompanying symptoms. This involves pressure pain in the face and head, as well as pain when bending the body forward. The diagnosis is made by the doctor by tapping and applying light pressure to the face and head. In the case of sinusitis, the paranasal sinuses react with pain development.
A swab can be used to determine whether it is a bacterial sinus infection. With the help of a swab, nasal secretion is taken and any germs are determined in the laboratory and treated with a suitable antibiotic. Another indication of bacterial sinusitis is purulent mucus formation on the back wall of the throat.
If acute treatment of sinusitis fails, rhinoscopy is performed. In this case, the inside of the nose is examined with a flexible, thin tube. If it is an inflammation, the mucous membranes of the nose are swollen and reddened. With the help of rhinoscopy , the doctor is able to determine purulent nasal secretions, which also indicate sinusitis.
Only in very severe and chronic cases may further diagnosis using computed tomography or X-rays become necessary.
treatment and therapy
On the basis of the existing complaints and symptoms, one can usually diagnose the sinusitis quite clearly. However, this disease can also be easily identified using ultrasound and X-ray images . In some cases, the doctor also inserts an endoscope into either the nose or mouth and can thus easily identify anatomical changes or take samples if necessary. In this way, the pathogen can be identified quickly and treated in a targeted manner.
Treatment depends primarily on whether the sinus infection is acute or chronic. In acute cases, conservative therapy is usually used, while in chronic cases only surgical treatment often helps.Conservative therapy includes both special nose drops and the so-called high insert. This is a piece of cotton that is placed in the nasal passage and soaked with decongestant medication. The pain can best be combated with medication such as ibuprofen or diclofenac .
However, homeopathic remedies and acupuncture have also proven effective in treating sinusitis; as well as various household remedies such as inhalation or irradiation with heat.
In the case of chronic sinus puncture, the aim is usually to puncture the sinuses, which is a very simple surgical procedure. Pus and secretions are drained during this operation; at the same time, the doctor treating you can also straighten the nasal wall or carry out any other corrections.
prevention
Since the sinus puncture often occurs in connection with a cold, it is important to fight it effectively first.Here, for example, rinsing the nose with a saline solution helps very well and steam baths are also extremely useful. In addition, it makes sense to drink enough fluids when you have a cold.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.