Sinusitis
|
| Sinusitis _ types, causes and treatment. |
What is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis occurs as a result of inflammation of the thin mucous membrane lining the four air-filled cavities within the facial bones, known as the sinuses. Since the inflammation extends to the nasal lining, sinusitis is sometimes referred to as rhinosinusitis. In some cases, sinusitis may also be referred to as allergic rhinosinusitis, as it occurs due to exposure to allergens. Sinusitis is a common condition affecting individuals of all ages, with most patients recovering after receiving appropriate treatment. However, a small percentage may experience serious complications.
Understanding this condition can help individuals reduce the likelihood of developing the disease. Even if exposed to an episode of sinusitis, being aware of how to expedite recovery and minimize the risk of complications is crucial.
Types of Sinusitis
Sinusitis can be classified based on the duration of inflammation or the cause of the condition. The types of sinusitis include:
Acute Sinusitis
Symptoms of acute sinusitis typically appear suddenly as a result of
viral respiratory infections or seasonal allergies. These symptoms usually
last for 7-10 days and can be resolved with appropriate medication used to
treat sinusitis. However, in some cases, acute sinusitis may persist
for 2-4 weeks.
Acute Rhinosinusitis
Acute rhinosinusitis occurs as a result of bacterial infection or
allergy, especially when complete treatment for acute rhinosinusitis is not
provided. The symptoms of acute rhinosinusitis typically persist for a
period ranging from 1-3 months.
Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Chronic rhinosinusitis is defined as inflammation of the sinuses that lasts
for more than three months. It can also be considered chronic if sinusitis
symptoms recur three or more times in a year.
The most common cause of chronic rhinosinusitis is bacterial infection, although it can also result from chronic allergy and asthma, nasal deformities, or nasal polyps.
Recurrent Rhinosinusitis
Recurrent rhinosinusitis occurs due to experiencing four episodes of
acute rhinosinusitis annually, with each episode lasting 7 days or
more.
Viral Rhinosinusitis
Viral rhinosinusitis causes symptoms similar to the common cold, such
as runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, and coughing. This type of
rhinosinusitis usually resolves on its own within 10 days.
Bacterial Sinusitis
Bacterial sinusitis is characterized by the production of thick nasal
secretions with a green or yellow color, along with pain and pressure in the
facial area. Bacterial sinusitis requires treatment with antibiotics.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Haemophilus influenza
- Moraxella catarrhalis
Allergic Sinusitis
Allergic sinusitis, also known as allergic rhinosinusitis, can present symptoms suddenly during specific seasons of the year or persist chronically throughout the year, depending on the allergens or irritants that trigger it. It is characterized by sneezing, itching in the nose, throat, or eyes, and nasal congestion.
Symptoms of Sinusitis
The symptoms of sinusitis in adults are similar, with research
confirming that painful pressure is the primary symptom, often referred to by
patients as "sinus headache." The location of the pain depends on the
inflamed sinuses and can be in the forehead, around the nose, around the eyes,
under the eyes, in the ear, or in the teeth.
Pain from sinusitis usually worsens when bending forward.
The symptoms of sinusitis may include the following:
- Nasal congestion.
- Runny nose.
- Sore throat.
- Cough.
- Thick, dark-colored nasal discharge and mucus that drips from the back of the nose into the throat, causing a foul taste in the throat.
- Foul smell in the mouth.
- Temporary loss of smell or taste.
- Fever.
- Fatigue and pain.
Causes of sinusitis
Sinusitis is believed to often result from a bacterial infection.
However, it is true that these bacteria usually do not cause any problems
unless they are trapped in the nose and multiply in the sinus area.
Therefore, the blockage of the narrow drainage channels of the sinuses is the
main cause of sinusitis, and reopening the drainage passages is the key
to treatment.
It should also be noted that most cases of sinusitis are caused by
viral infection rather than bacterial infection.
Factors that increase the risk of developing sinusitis:
Anyone can develop sinusitis, but certain factors can increase the risk of developing sinusitis and experiencing its symptoms. These factors include the following:
- Deviated nasal septum, also known as septal deviation.
- Nasal polyps or tumors inside the nose.
- Excessive bone growth inside the nose.
- Pre-existing allergies to pollen, dust, and other allergens.
- Exposure to mold.
- Weakened immune system due to conditions such as HIV/AIDS or
immunosuppressive medications.
- Upper respiratory tract infections, especially viral colds.
- Dental infections.
- Use of antihistamines.
- Dry air.
- Smoking or inhalation of substances such as cocaine.
- Cystic fibrosis.
- Air travel, which may expose a person to a high concentration of germs.
It is important to determine the cause of sinusitis in order to select
the appropriate treatment for sinusitis.
As for the risk factors and causes of pediatric rhinosinusitis, they include:
- Pacifier use
- Bottle-feeding while lying on the back
- Exposure to secondhand smoke
- Contracting illnesses from contact with other children in daycare or
school
- Allergies
Complications of rhinosinusitis
The nasal sinuses are surrounded by sensitive and vital structures in the head, such as the brain, eyes, and skull. Therefore, untreated or chronic rhinosinusitis can lead to serious complications within these tissues, especially in patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes or weakened immune systems.
Rare complications may include:
- Meningitis
- Formation of brain abscesses
- Bone and tissue inflammation
- Orbital cellulitis, an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the eye
- Blood clotting in the blood vessels in the sinus area
Fortunately, such problems are rare. However, they always remind us that
rhinosinusitis is not just a common cold, and patients with weakened
immune systems should seek greater medical attention when treating their
rhinosinusitis.
sinusitis Treatment:
The treatment of sinusitis depends on its underlying cause, with the
primary goal being the elimination of the causative agent and the reduction of
inflammation leading to nasal congestion.
Treatment modalities for sinusitis include the following:
- Use of warm compresses.
- Placement of air humidifiers in bedrooms.
- Consumption of large amounts of fluids such as juice and water.
- Inhalation of steam.
- Sleeping with an elevated head.
Pharmacological treatment:
- Use of nasal saline sprays to irrigate the nasal passages for symptom relief
and sinusitis treatment. Shop Nasal Saline Sprays on Amazon
- Use of nasal decongestant sprays to alleviate congestion, such as
Xylometazoline and Oxymetazoline. Shop Nasal Decongestant Sprays on Amazon
- Use of pain relievers and fever reducers, such as Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen.
- Administration of corticosteroids in the form of nasal sprays or orally. Shop Corticosteroid Nasal Sprays on Amazon
- Administration of antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin or
Amoxicillin-Clavulanate. In cases of penicillin allergy, patient
non-responsiveness to Amoxicillin, or severe initial disease presentation, the
following antibiotics are used:
Cefaclor.
Clarithromycin.
Azithromycin.
Ciprofloxacin.
Antibiotics should be used as directed by a physician, and the antibiotic treatment course should be completed to avoid the transformation of the bacteria causing sinus infections into antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can lead to stubborn infections that are difficult to treat.
In some cases of chronic sinusitis that do not respond to medication, doctors may consider surgical intervention to drain the sinuses, correct a deviated nasal septum, or remove nasal polyps causing sinus inflammation.
Sinusitis treatment at home:
- Saline solution can be instilled into each nostril at a rate of two drops in
the morning and evening, or a small half teaspoon of salt can be mixed with
one cup of warm chamomile tea, and a drop can be placed in each nostril in the
morning and evening. Shop Saline Solution on Amazon
- Make fresh lotus root juice, moisten a cotton piece with it, and place it at
the entrance of the nostril without tightening to allow breathing through the
nose and leave it overnight. Shop Lotus Root Juice on Amazon
- Soak two teaspoons of thyme for a quarter of an hour in boiling water and take it orally to alleviate sinus and nasal congestion.
Herbal treatment:
There is a wide range of medicinal herbs that are likely to be effective in treating sinusitis and can be used to alleviate the discomfort caused by this problem. Some of the most important examples of herbal treatment for sinusitis include:
Ginger
A common example of herbal treatment for sinusitis is the use of ginger, as it possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it an effective option in reducing the swelling and irritation of the sinus area. Additionally, ginger has the ability to kill the bacteria that cause sinusitis.
Furthermore, the use of ginger for treating sinusitis is also supported by its potential as a natural remedy for headaches and for alleviating the pain associated with sinusitis. Ginger can also be beneficial in the case of allergic sinusitis, as it has been found to reduce nasal congestion and runny nose as effectively as antiallergic medications, without causing side effects such as drowsiness. One possible way to treat sinusitis with ginger is to consume a mixture of fresh ginger tea with a teaspoon of honey, three times a day.
garlic
Additionally, garlic can be mentioned when seeking details about
herbal treatment for sinusitis, as it possesses antibacterial
properties and is effective against many types of bacteria, including those
resistant to many types of antibiotics, which may play a role in causing
sinusitis.
However, it is amazing that garlic can actually worsen the symptoms of sinusitis rather than treat them, especially when trying to insert garlic directly into the nose, as its strong odor can cause irritation in the nasal and sinus area, as well as increase mucus production and accumulation inside the nose. Additionally, there is a risk of a garlic clove getting stuck entirely or leaving residues inside the nose. Therefore, based on the above, it is advised not to treat sinusitis with garlic.
onion
Fresh onion can help open and drain the sinuses naturally. In addition, onion contains quercetin, a chemical compound with anti-histamine properties that help reduce nasal inflammation and congestion, so it may be recommended for treating sinusitis with herbal remedies.
Moreover, what enhances the effectiveness of treating sinusitis with onion is its antibacterial properties.
The method of treating sinusitis with onion involves either consuming
it raw, which is the preferred method, or adding onion to hot broth and then
drinking the broth with steam and onion brought close to the nose for
inhalation as well.
It has been proven that lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has several properties that make it a good treatment for sinusitis, including:
Antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Anti-histamine properties.
Antispasmodic properties.
Antioxidant properties.
Thus, this herb can be considered one of the most important examples of
treating sinusitis with herbal remedies.
Hot Pepper
Hot pepper, especially cayenne pepper, possesses decongestant properties and helps alleviate symptoms of sinusitis and treat it quickly. However, when considering this method of treating sinusitis with herbs, it is important to avoid directly inhaling hot pepper through the nose, as it can cause irritation to the mouth.
Instead, hot pepper tea can be made by adding half a teaspoon of pepper and two teaspoons of honey to a cup of boiling water. This tea can be consumed 2-3 times a day, but overconsumption should be avoided as it can lead to several side effects, including mouth and stomach irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a wonderful natural remedy with many health benefits, including treating sinusitis by helping to reduce nasal mucus, alleviate congestion and sinus pressure, and restore balance to the acidity of the sinuses. Additionally, apple cider vinegar has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that can help combat sinus inflammation caused by bacteria and fungi.
However, direct application of apple cider vinegar inside the nose should be avoided. Instead, it can be diluted with water and consumed, gargled, or added to a steam inhalation device for inhalation.
Treatment of Sinusitis with Other Herbs
Other examples of treating sinusitis with herbs include:
- Ginkgo biloba
- Peppermint oil
- Oregano
- Eucalyptus
- Green tea
- Horseradish
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Lavender