Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses) often occurs when you have a cold. Sometimes there are other causes. Home remedies and medications usually alleviate the symptoms. Sinusitis often occurs in conjunction with an upper respiratory infection – for example, a common cold. Typical symptoms include headache and facial pain, a reduced sense of smell, and a blocked nose. Acute inflammation usually subsides on its own within two to six weeks. It can also recur or become chronic. Home remedies and medications typically help to alleviate the symptoms. If nasal polyps are the cause of the inflammation, surgery may be advisable, and it is recommended to consult a sinus surgery specialist.
How does sinusitis develop?
The sinuses are air-filled cavities in the skull bones, lined with mucous membrane. The mucous membrane cells produce a fine secretion that traps inhaled dust and dirt particles or pathogens. This “dirt secretion” is transported by tiny, mobile hairs on the surface of the mucous membrane cells (cilia) through small channels into the nasal cavity and from there to the throat, where it is swallowed unnoticed. Humans have four pairs of sinuses. These are the frontal, maxillary, sphenoid, and ethmoid sinuses (symbolically represented in blue).
Garbage collection is brought to a standstill by ignition
For example, if the mucous membranes of the nose and sinuses become inflamed due to a cold, the removal of mucus is impaired: The mucous membrane then produces more mucus and swells. This can cause the passages between the nose and sinuses to swell or become blocked. As a result, the sinuses are no longer adequately ventilated. This leads to a build-up of mucus, providing an ideal breeding ground for pathogens.
How long does sinusitis last?
Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses) can last for varying lengths of time and may recur. Depending on its duration and frequency, doctors distinguish between three forms, some of which require different treatments :
- Acute sinusitis: It usually subsides after about two weeks, sometimes only after six weeks.
- Acute recurrent sinusitis: Experts use this term when sinus inflammation occurs more than four times a year and completely subsides in between.
- Chronic sinusitis: This is present when symptoms persist for more than twelve weeks. It can occur with or without nasal polyps – that is, with benign growths of the mucous membrane in the nose.
What are the symptoms of sinusitis?
The symptoms that occur with sinusitis depend on whether it is an acute or chronic inflammation.
Symptoms of acute sinusitis
An acute inflammation of the sinuses manifests itself through symptoms such as:
blocked nose
- Discharge of purulent secretion – sometimes into the throat and accompanied by a sore throat.
- Headaches, especially in cases of inflammation of deeper sinuses such as the sphenoid sinus.
- Toothache in the upper jaw
- Pressure in the ears and earache
- The feeling that the ear is blocked – doctors also refer to this as a feeling of fullness.
- impaired sense of smell, loss of smell
- Fever
- Cough
- Bad breath
Symptoms of chronic sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis manifests itself primarily through:
- a blocked nose and discharge
- Facial pain, pressure sensation
- Impaired sense of smell, loss of smell: This symptom is absent in children with chronic sinusitis. Instead, they typically have a cough.
- Additional symptoms may occur, such as a general feeling of illness, fatigue, bad breath, or pressure in the ears.
What are the causes of sinusitis?
Depending on the type of sinusitis, various triggers are possible.
Causes of acute sinusitis
The most common cause of acute sinusitis is infection with cold and flu viruses. Sometimes, bacterial pathogens such as pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae, staphylococci, streptococci, or Moraxella catarrhalis also trigger sinusitis. Rarely, a fungal infection is the cause.
Sometimes acute sinusitis develops when bacteria from the upper jaw enter the adjacent sinuses – for example, due to dental diseases such as periodontitis and jaw cysts, after a tooth extraction, with implants, or when teeth protrude into the maxillary sinus. Doctors refer to this as odontogenic sinusitis.
Under certain circumstances, an infection-related sinusitis can develop into a chronic inflammation. Anatomical peculiarities in the nose and sinuses, certain environmental factors, or allergies can also lead to the development of an acute inflammation and its subsequent transformation into a chronic condition.
Causes of chronic sinusitis
In some people, the ventilation of the sinuses is permanently impaired, and the drainage of secretions is constantly disrupted – for example, by:
- Nasal polyps
- large nasal turbinates
- a deviated nasal septum
- Such anatomical peculiarities can promote chronic sinusitis or hinder its healing.
Similarly, allergic rhinitis ( hay fever ) or the inhalation of air pollutants and tobacco smoke, for example, promotes the development of chronic sinusitis. Furthermore, people with asthma often have chronically inflamed sinuses – especially if they are hypersensitive to the pain reliever acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).
When should I see a doctor if I have sinusitis?
If inflammation of the sinuses causes symptoms such as facial pain, high fever, or swelling around the eyes or forehead, an ENT doctor in West Yorkshire should be sought immediately.
Also, see a doctor if:
- The symptoms persist for more than ten days and do not improve despite treatment
- The symptoms keep recurring, or new symptoms appear
- The sinuses are inflamed more than four times a year
- The symptoms worsen despite treatment
If there is a suspicion that the sinusitis is related to an allergy or asthma, it is best to consult a specialist in allergology or pulmonology.
What helps against sinusitis?
Sinusitis can be treated in various ways. Treatment options range from home remedies and medications to surgery. The specific measures used depend on the cause and duration of the illness. It is important to tailor the treatment plan to the individual patient in consultation with a doctor.
Treatment options for acute sinusitis
Nasal irrigation with saline solutions
Studies have shown positive effects. Among other things, it is said to reduce swelling of the mucous membrane and promote drainage of secretions. The most common solutions have a salt concentration of 0.9 percent. Sometimes solutions with a slightly higher salt concentration are helpful. Their disadvantage is that they can irritate the mucous membrane.
Inhalations
Inhaling hot steam can alleviate symptoms. This can be done in two ways: either with a towel over a bowl or with a plastic inhaler from the pharmacy. Due to the risk of scalding, infants and small children should not inhale in this way. Nebulizers are a suitable alternative for them. These are inhalation devices that produce very small water droplets. Consult your pediatrician about this.
Decongestant nasal sprays
Active ingredients such as xylometazoline or oxymetazoline are suitable for short-term relief of nasal congestion. Combining decongestant nasal sprays with expectorants can also be beneficial. Consult your pharmacist or doctor for advice on selecting and using the appropriate product. It is important not to use nasal sprays for more than seven days. Otherwise, you risk becoming dependent on them. As soon as the spray’s effect wears off, the nasal mucosa swells even more. This, in turn, exacerbates the symptoms and increases the urge to use the spray again: a vicious cycle ensues.
Conclusion
Treatment options for chronic sinusitis depend on the cause and severity. They include nasal irrigation, cortisone sprays or tablets, antihistamines, and biologicals, while surgery is considered only when other measures fail. Surgery typically involves removing diseased mucous membrane, straightening the nasal septum, widening the nasal passages, or removing nasal polyps. These procedures are usually minimally invasive but carry risks such as injuries, bleeding, or infections. Supportive measures like increased fluid intake and steam inhalation can help relieve symptoms and promote sinus health. Cortisone sprays are especially useful for sinusitis with nasal polyps, and biologicals may be used if standard therapies fail. Antihistamines can help when allergies trigger symptoms. Nasal irrigation remains a standard, safe method for clearing chronically inflamed sinuses.