Do you also often get a stuffy nose, a heavy head, and a feeling like something is pressing on your face when you catch a cold ? When you speak, you make a snoring sound, right? Although many people call this ' sinus ', actually 'sinus' is not a disease. It is a condition called ' sinusitis ' that causes us this discomfort. So let's talk about this, precisely and simply.
What exactly are these sinuses?
Simply put, sinuses are small air-filled cavities (spaces) inside the bones of our skull . They are like small rooms inside our heads. Their main function is to humidify and clean the air we breathe and send it to the lungs. Also, these cavities constantly secrete a thin layer of mucus. This mucus helps keep the inside of the nose moist and prevents dust, allergens , and germs from entering the nose.
There are four pairs of these sinus cavities , or a total of eight cavities, located in our face:
- Above the eyes (in the forehead area)
- Between the eyes
- Behind the nose
- Behind the cheekbones (below the eyes)
In a healthy person, these cavities are always filled with air. But if for some reason the passageways to these cavities become blocked, mucus can accumulate inside, allowing germs to grow and causing an infection. This is when the tissues in these sinus cavities become swollen or inflamed, which is what we call sinusitis.
So why does this sinusitis occur?
There are several main reasons why the passages leading to the sinus cavities become blocked.
- Common cold: This is the most common cause. A cold is caused by a virus and causes the nasal tissues to swell and block the sinus passages.
- Allergies : Some people are allergic to things like dust, pollen , and smoke. We call this ``Allergic Rhinitis''. This can also cause the nose to swell and the sinuses to become blocked.
- Nasal Polyps: These are small, painless, soft growths that form inside the nose. If they become large, they can block the sinus passages.
- Deviated Septum: A deviated septum is a condition in which the wall separating the nostrils (septum) is deviated to one side. This can be congenital or can occur later due to an accident.
What are the main types of sinusitis?
Your doctor will determine the type of sinusitis you have based on how long your symptoms have been present and the cause. Let's take a look at what these types are.
| Type of sinusitis | Simple description (Description) |
|---|---|
| Acute Sinusitis | This is a short-term condition that usually starts with a cold. It should get better within 10 days, but can sometimes last up to 4 weeks. Symptoms include thick, yellow or green mucus, nasal congestion, and facial pain. |
| Chronic Sinusitis | Although the symptoms are similar to acute rhinitis, it lasts for more than 3 months . It can be caused by factors such as nasal congestion, allergies, and nasal congestion. |
| Recurrent Sinusitis | This is when acute sinusitis resolves and then recurs. This can happen if you have four or more episodes a year. |
| Fungal Sinusitis | Rare but can sometimes be dangerous. Caused by breathing in airborne fungi. This can be dangerous for people with weakened immune systems (e.g., diabetes, HIV). It can spread to other areas, such as the eyes and brain. |
Is it a virus or a bacteria? Let's find out the difference.
This is very important. 90% of sinusitis is caused by viral infections (colds). Antibiotics are not effective against viruses. They will clear up on their own within 5-7 days.
However, sometimes a viral infection can cause mucus to build up, which can lead to a bacterial infection. This is a bit more serious. If symptoms persist for 7-10 days and worsen, or if you have a high fever, it could be a bacterial infection.
Remember, not every sinus infection requires antibiotics! That's up to your doctor to decide. Using antibiotics unnecessarily can lead to the development of resistant bacteria.
What are the treatments for this?
The good news is that most sinus conditions can be treated at home without any special treatment.
Simple things you can do at home
- Steam inhalation: This is the best and easiest treatment. Heat some water in a bowl, cover your head with a towel, and inhale the steam through your nose for about 10-15 minutes. Do this two or three times a day to help loosen the mucus that has accumulated.
- Hot compress: Soak a cloth in hot water, wring it out well, and place it on the painful areas (forehead, cheeks). This will reduce pain and pressure.
- Nasal Irrigation: Rinsing the nose with saline solution, available at the pharmacy, or salt water made at home is very beneficial. You can use a device like a ``Neti Pot`` for this.
- Very important: Never use tap water to rinse your nose! Some germs in tap water can travel through the nose to the brain and cause very dangerous, life-threatening infections. Always use only boiled water, filtered water, or distilled water from the pharmacy.
- Drink plenty of water: Drinking fluids like water, soup, and porridge throughout the day helps thin out mucus and make it easier to clear.
- Rest: Resting the body is essential for healing from any illness.
Treatment provided by the doctor
If home care doesn't help, your doctor may prescribe medications like these.
- Painkillers: Painkillers such as `(Paracetamol)` or `(Ibuprofen)` for headaches and facial pain.
- Nasal Sprays: Decongestant or steroid sprays that reduce swelling in the nose. However, use these only for the prescribed period as directed by your doctor.
- Allergy medication: If your sinuses are caused by an allergy, antihistamines may be prescribed.
- Antibiotics: These are only given if the doctor suspects a bacterial infection.
In some chronic and complex cases, surgery such as Endoscopic Sinus Surgery may be recommended to remove the nasal septum or straighten the deviated nasal wall.
When should you definitely see a doctor?
Although sinus problems are usually not dangerous, if you have these symptoms, see a doctor immediately or go to a hospital's emergency department (ETU) .
- Symptoms persist for more than 10 days or worsen day by day.
- High fever (over 102°F).
- Severe headache that does not subside despite taking medication.
- Swelling, redness, or changes in vision around the eyes (double vision, blurred vision).
- Severe facial pain.
- Stiff neck.
- Confusion or altered consciousness.
These can be rare but dangerous signs of a sinus infection spreading to the brain or eyes, so don't ignore them.
Take-Home Message
- 'Sinus' is not a disease, it refers to the air cavities in our skull. Sinusitis is the inflammation that occurs in these cavities.
- This condition is often caused by a viral infection, such as the common cold, which does not require antibiotics.
- Home remedies such as steam inhalation, warm compresses, drinking plenty of fluids, and rest often help.
- Use only safe water, such as boiled water, to rinse your nose. Never use tap water.
- If symptoms are severe, last more than 10 days, or if any of the warning signs mentioned above appear, see your doctor immediately.
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