Sinusitis is usually accompanied by headache and problems with breathing through the nose, which decrease the quality of life, so the causes should be treated as soon as possible under the supervision of a doctor because untreated flu easily develops into acute sinusitis, and acute later develops into chronic sinusitis.

In autumn and winter sinusitis is a common health problem caused by viral or bacterial infection, allergic reaction or an autoimmune disease. Sinusitis is usually caused by a viral infection that lasts around 10 days and is manifested as an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses.

We have four pairs of sinus cavities. The first pair is located above the eyes, around the eyebrows and is called the frontal sinuses. Another pair, located inside the cheekbones, is called the maxillary sinuses, and the third pair, behind the bridge of the nose, and between the eyes, is the ethmoid sinuses. The fourth pair is sphenoid sinuses located above the nose, behind the eyes.

Headache

Inflamed sinuses, whether frontal, maxillary, ethmoid or sphenoid, are almost always accompanied by a headache. Headache occurs as a result of the swollen nasal mucous membranes, clogging up the opening of the sinuses, so there is no equalization of the pressure in the nose and sinuses, and the mucus, which normally has a protective role against the bacteria, stays in the sinuses, causing the pressure and pain.

Sinus problems, which are located above the eyes, close to the eyebrows (frontal), in addition to headaches, are accompanied by pain and tension in the eyes. Inflammation of the sphenoid sinuses (upper region of the nose, behind the eyes) is manifested as pain that can be transmitted to the back or top of the head.

Causes of inflammation

Acute sinusitis is usually preceded by upper respiratory tract infections and untreated colds, because bacteria and viruses are re-activated. The most widespread bacterial sinusitis is caused by streptococci and pneumococci. Acute sinusitis can be caused by fungi, but it is rare and occurs mainly in sick people with weakened immune systems, such as, for example, diabetics.

Risk factors that may lead to the development of sinusitis include: allergies, nasal deviations, or anomalies (deviated nasal septum, small natural openings of the sinuses, which prevent normal drainage), nasal polyps and other. Also, risk factors for the development of chronic sinusitis are smoking, as well as inflammation of the teeth in the upper jaw.

Symptoms

In case of acute sinusitis the mucosa is swollen, there is obstruction of the natural sinus openings, and an increased amount of liquid remains in the sinus cavities. The secretion is usually clear in the beginning and then it becomes colored. The main symptoms of sinusitis are: headache, clear discharge from the nose, yellow-green mucus, bad breath, pain in the sinuses, nasal congestion, reduced sense of smell, toothache in the upper teeth, below the maxillary sinuses, fever.

Acute and chronic

Acute sinusitis lasts less than four weeks. It is believed that about 90 percent of adults have had acute sinusitis at least once in their life. It is most often caused by a viral infection.

Chronic sinusitis lasts more than eight weeks. It is usually preceded by acute sinusitis; it can be caused by mixed bacterial infection, as well as various deviations of the nose and sinus cavities, nasal polyps and allergies, all of which form the basis for the development of chronic sinusitis. Fever is rarely present in case of chronic sinusitis.

Complications

Meningitis is the most serious complication of sinusitis, which develops during the bacterial infection. The bacteria migrate through the blood to the brain.

Apscess is another life-threatening complication and it requires immediate medical help.

Diagnosis

It is not simple to distinguish bacterial from viral sinusitis based on clinical picture because the symptoms are very similar. In most cases, if symptoms are present for less than 10 days, it is considered that it is a viral inflammation of the sinuses, but if they last longer, it is a bacterial infection.

X-ray and ultrasound allow the visualization of the sinuses.

Radiography is also a method for the detection of sinusitis because it shows liquid level in the sinuses. It is particularly good indicator of the maxillary sinusitis.

Laboratory, microbiological testing is used to identify the cause of the infection and form the basis for the proposed treatment and therapy.

Treatment

When doctors diagnose and identify the causes of infection, they prescribe the appropriate treatment and medication.

Decongestants: Like analgesics, decongestants are given to reduce the swelling of the mucosa and secretion of mucus, or to relieve symptoms in acute sinusitis, but they should not be used for the extended period because they might damage the mucous membranes.

Flushing: In chronic sinusitis flushing of the nasal cavity to relieve the symptoms is recommended.

Antibiotic therapy is indicated if symptoms of sinusitis last longer than 10 days, and the treatment is prescribed by the doctor.

Surgical treatment

In some cases the surgical treatment of deviations or anomalies that are a source of the problem is recommended. Today there are dozen surgical methods, and they all aim to create a way for the natural normal drainage of mucus in order to disinfect the cavity and eliminate the possible reasons that lead to infection.