Sinusitis: symptoms of the disease, causes and drug options

Definition

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is inflammation or swelling of the sinus tissue. The sinuses are the air-filled cavities or spaces behind the facial bones.

The sinuses have a mucous membrane lining that produces mucus. This mucus serves to keep the nasal passages moist. In addition, mucus also functions to hold dirt and germ particles from entering the airway.

Normal sinuses are lined with a thin layer of mucus that can trap dust, germs, or other particles from the air. When the sinuses become blocked, germs can grow and cause infection, which can lead to sinusitis.

Inflammation of the sinuses can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. People with weak immune systems, allergies, asthma, or structural blockages in the nose or sinuses are more likely to develop sinusitis.

Sinusitis is a common condition and can happen to anyone. This condition can be prevented by reducing your risk factors. Please discuss with your doctor for more information.

Type

What are the different types of sinusitis?

Based on the time the symptoms last, sinusitis can be divided into 2 types, namely:

Acute sinusitis

Sinus infections that are acute generally last for 10 days or more. This condition is characterized by sinus symptoms that got better, then came back with a more severe condition.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are also terms subacute sinusitis and recurrent acute sinusitis. In subacute cases, sinus infection symptoms will generally last 4-12 weeks. Meanwhile, recurrent acute sinusitis symptoms can appear 4 or more times in 1 year, and each occurrence lasts less than 2 weeks.

Usually, acute sinusitis can be treated at home. However, if it doesn't go away, this condition can develop into infection and serious complications.

Chronic sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis is a condition in which the sinus cavities are constantly inflamed and swollen for more than 12 weeks or 3 months, despite treatment.

Chronic and acute sinus infections generally have similar signs and symptoms. However, acute sinusitis is an infection that is temporary and is often associated with fever.

The signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis also last longer than the acute type. Generally, chronic sinusitis is characterized by the appearance of excessive fatigue. Meanwhile, acute sinus infections are characterized by fever.

Signs and symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of sinusitis?

Sinusitis is a condition with symptoms that may vary from person to person. Here are some of the common symptoms of sinusitis:

Nasal congestion
Runny nose
Green or yellowish mucus or mucus
Pain in the face area, especially the nose, cheeks, eyes, and forehead
Sore throat
Cough
Fatigue
Bad breath (halitosis)

Some patients also report other symptoms, such as difficulty smelling, earache, toothache, and fever.

Symptoms of acute sinusitis

Usually, symptoms of acute sinusitis last 4-12 weeks. In addition, sometimes the symptoms will disappear and then reappear with a more severe degree of severity. Fever symptoms are also more common in people with acute sinus infections.

Here are the symptoms of an acute sinus infection:

Thick green or yellowish mucus or mucus
The mucus runs down the back of the throat
Nasal congestion
Difficulty breathing
Swelling and pain in the eyes, nose, cheeks, and forehead
Pain when lowering your head
Earache
Headache
Tooth ache
Difficulty smelling
Cough
Fatigue
Fever

Symptoms of chronic sinusitis

The signs and symptoms of a chronic sinus infection are not very different from those of an acute nature. However, the symptoms of chronic sinusitis last longer and often lead to excessive fatigue.

Also, you may not have a fever if the sinus infection is long-term.

The difference between sinusitis and colds and rhinitis

Not infrequently some people have difficulty distinguishing sinus infections from colds and rhinitis. You can tell the difference from the symptoms that appear.

Indeed, both sinusitis, colds, and rhinitis have symptoms of a runny and congested nose. However, the length of time for a cold is usually only a few days to a week. The symptoms also appear slowly, then get worse, then subside.

Meanwhile, the relationship between sinusitis and rhinitis is sometimes a cause-and-effect relationship. Blockage of the airways that occurs when someone has rhinitis, often leads to infection, and one of the causes of sinusitis is an infection in your airway.

Therefore, it is possible that rhinitis that is not treated properly can lead to complications in the form of sinusitis.

Some of the symptoms displayed by sinusitis and rhinitis are similar. For example, nasal congestion, weakness, so that you feel pressure on your head. In addition, both rhinitis and sinusitis are both inflammatory.

The difference is that inflammatory rhinitis occurs in your nasal cavity, while sinusitis inflammation occurs in the air cavity located behind the cheekbones and forehead (sinuses).

In addition, rhinitis symptoms usually appear when you are exposed to or inhale an allergen, such as dust, pollen, or animal dander. However, if the rhinitis symptoms persist for 3-8 weeks, you may have a sinus infection.

When should I see a doctor?

If you experience the following conditions, do not delay the time to see a doctor:

The symptoms get worse, for example, headaches and facial pain that is unbearable
Symptoms got better, but then got worse again
Sinusitis symptoms last more than 10 days without progress
Vision deteriorates
Stiff neck
Swelling of the forehead
Awareness is disturbed
Fever for more than 3-4 days

You should also see your doctor if you have had multiple sinus infections in the past year.

Cause

What causes sinusitis?

As previously mentioned, the sinuses are the cavities that are located near your nose and eyes. The sinuses themselves are divided into several locations, namely:

Ethmoidal sinus, located between the eyes
Maxillary sinus, located under the eye
Sphenoidal sinus, located behind the eye
Frontal sinus, located above the eye

The sinus cavity with the largest size is the maxillary sinus, and it is this cavity that is most often affected by infections. Sinus infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. The infection results in inflammation and swelling that can block the sinuses.

Here are some of the common causes of sinusitis:

Nasal polyps, tissue growths in the nasal passages or sinuses
Deviation of the septum or crooked nasal bones
Respiratory tract infections, such as colds or flu
Allergic rhinitis
Low body immune system

Risk factors

What are the factors that increase my risk of developing this condition?

Almost everyone can get sinus infections. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk for developing this condition. Some of them are:

Having an abnormal nasal structure (deviation of the septum, tumor, or nasal polyps)
Suffering from diseases with immune disorders (HIV / AIDS or cystic fibrosis)
Active smoking or frequent exposure to secondhand smoke
Often exposed to allergens, such as dust or animal dander
Have a respiratory disease, such as asthma
Sensitivity to certain drugs, such as aspirin

Diagnosis

How is this condition diagnosed?

To diagnose sinusitis, the doctor will first ask about your history of the disease, the symptoms you are experiencing, and run an examination of your ears, nose and throat.

The doctor will use an endoscope, an optical instrument equipped with a flashlight, to examine the inside of your nose. With this tool, the doctor can see any swelling, fluid buildup, or blockage in your nose.

If necessary, you may be referred to an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist. In some cases, this condition will also be checked with a CT scan.

Treatment

The information described is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How to treat sinusitis?

Treatment of sinusitis depends on its severity. If the condition is still mild, the doctor will give you a sinusitis spray or decongestant medication. For a mild headache effect, you can use drugs that contain pain relievers, usually containing paracetamol.

In addition, your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine or corticosteroid medication that is sprayed into the nose, which aims to reduce sinus swelling. This method is especially effective if you have nasal polyps.

Usually, inflammation of the sinuses is a condition caused by infection, and the doctor will prescribe medication that contains antibiotics. In addition, the doctor may also perform sinus surgery procedures in cases caused by a yeast infection, deviated nasal septum, or nasal polyps.

Are there any natural remedies for this condition?

Sinusitis that has not reached the chronic stage may be treated at home in a number of ways, including the use of drugs as described above. Some of the home remedies for sinusitis are:

Steam inhalation. You can prepare hot water in a large bowl and inhale the steam that comes out of the hot water. This will provide some relief for your airway. This method has not been scientifically proven to cure sinusitis, but it might help you a little.
Clean the nasal passages. This method is done by cleaning or rinsing the nose with salt water.
Warm compresses of water. You can compress the nose and around your nose with warm water. This can relieve some of the symptoms and provide a simple sinusitis cure.
Sleep with your head up. You can use several pillows to support your head higher than normal while sleeping. This can reduce the amount of pressure around the sinuses and reduce discomfort from pain.
Take sinusitis medication or tablet decongestants. This medication can reduce swelling and help reduce congestion in the sinuses.
Using a sinusitis spray (decongestant). Has the same benefits as decongestant tablets. However, prolonged use (more than one week) can actually make sinus congestion worse.

If you have already done medication or are taking sinusitis medication as above but it doesn't go away after one week or it gets worse, you should check with your doctor immediately.

Prevention

How to prevent sinusitis from recurring?

If you have a history of inflammation or sinus infection, there are several ways you can prevent your sinusitis from recurring.

Wash your hands regularly. Maybe without realizing it, you touch your eyes, nose and mouth a lot. As a result, germs can enter the body through these three main "doors" and make you sick. Therefore, washing your hands is the most important step to avoid getting sick and spreading germs or viruses to other people.
Drink lots of water. Drinking enough mineral water every day is an effective way to keep mucous membranes moist and thin because it can prevent dry nasal passages. The mucous membranes must stay hydrated in order to work efficiently, thereby reducing the risk of contracting a viral infection.
Get an annual flu vaccine. According to the CDC, preventing the flu means you are also preventing sinusitis.
Avoid stress triggers. When you are stressed, your antibodies will readily react. The longer the stress lasts, the weaker the antibodies will be. Weakened immunity can become an entry point for bacterial and viral attacks, so that sinusitis can occur.
Eat nutritious foods. Consumption of nutritious foods such as vegetables and fruits can keep your body in tip-top shape. You need to pay attention to the food you eat to prevent sinusitis. You may want to eat fruits and dark vegetables that are rich in antioxidants.
Avoid allergy triggers. People suffering from sinus infections should avoid areas and activities that can worsen their condition. What can be done to prevent sinusitis symptoms is to avoid cigarette smoke, dust, animal dander, and other irritants that can trigger allergies.
Use humidifier at home. If the air in your home is too dry, you can install humidifier to balance the humidity levels in the air. Make sure humidifier You are cleaned regularly to avoid build-up of dirt and bacteria.