What you need to know about the Sphenoid Sinus, a cavity deep inside the head

Do you often get headaches? Sometimes your vision changes a little, and you feel like you're seeing something blurry? When we think of sinuses, we almost always think of a stuffy nose and a runny nose. But did you know that there is a special sinus cavity inside our head, very close to the brain, that seems to be hidden? If there is a problem with this, the symptoms are very different from normal sinus symptoms. That's what we're talking about today.

Simply put, what is the sphenoid sinus?

Imagine that inside our skull there are small air-filled cavities. These are what we call sinus cavities. There are four main types of these. The sphenoid sinus is one of those four types. The special thing is that it is located much further back than the other sinus cavities, very deep inside the skull. It's like a secret room in the middle of our head.

This system of sinus cavities located around our face and nose is called the paranasal sinuses. Let's look at what the four types are.

The sphenoid sinus cavity does the same thing as the other sinuses. That is, it produces mucus. This mucus traps germs, allergens, and dust that enter the nose and carries them out of the nose. However, because of its location, an infection in this cavity can be quite serious. Because the infection can easily spread to important organs like the brain and eyes.

What other benefits does this sinus cavity have for our body?

In addition to expelling germs, the sphenoid sinuses provide us with several other benefits. Doctors are still researching this, but here are some of the facts we've discovered so far.

• It moisturizes the air we breathe: The mucus produced by these sinus cavities helps keep the inside of our nose moist, warm, and healthy. So the air we breathe in is clean and moist and goes into our lungs.
• Reduces the weight of the skull: The skull is not a solid object filled entirely with bones. Because of these air-filled cavities, the weight of the skull is significantly reduced. This is a great relief for our neck.
• Provides protection in the event of an accident: If the head hits something, some of the shock of the impact is absorbed by these air-filled cavities. Like a 'shock absorber' in a car. This reduces the risk of skull fractures and brain damage to a certain extent.
• Affects the voice: Our voice is created by the vibration of the vocal cords. It is when that sound reverberates within these hollow cavities that our voice acquires its unique character.

Is this location really dangerous?

Yes, this is the point we need to pay special attention to. The sphenoid sinus is located like a fence next to several very sensitive and important structures in our body.

Important things that are very close to this sinus are:

• Internal Carotid Artery: This is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to our brain. If it is damaged, the consequences can be very serious.
• Optic Nerve: This is the main nerve that connects our eyes to the brain and gives us vision. If a sinus infection spreads to this nerve, it can lead to complete loss of vision.
• Pituitary Gland: The smallest, yet most powerful gland in our body. This gland controls many things in the body, including growth and hormone production.

But this location also has one advantage for doctors. When tumors develop in the pituitary gland, surgery is sometimes performed by inserting a small camera through the nose and going through the sphenoid sinus cavity. This surgery is called ``Transsphenoidal Surgery.'' This method allows the tumor to be removed without making any incisions in the face or skull.

What are the symptoms of a sphenoid sinus infection?

This is the most important part. In a normal sinus problem, we get symptoms like a stuffy nose, runny nose, and a sore forehead. But the symptoms of a sphenoid sinus infection (Sphenoid Sinusitis) are much different and more serious.

Because this sinus is located deep, symptoms related to the nose are rare. Instead, symptoms arise from the effects on the surrounding nerves and brain.

If you experience these symptoms, don't just stay home and assume it's a common cold or sinus problem. If left untreated, the infection can spread and lead to more serious conditions, such as:

• Brain Abscess: A swelling of pus inside the brain.
• Meningitis: Infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
• Damaged Cranial Nerves: This can cause loss of vision, inability to move the eyes, and numbness on one side of the face.

How do we keep this sinus cavity healthy?

Fortunately, sphenoid sinus infections are very rare, but the things we generally do to keep our sinus system healthy can help with this as well.

1. Good health habits: Get enough sleep, drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, eat nutritious foods, and exercise. These things boost the body's immunity.

2. Hand washing: Especially during times of high disease activity, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after coming back from the outdoors and before eating.

3. Allergy control: If you have allergies to things like dust, pollen, etc., stay away from them as much as possible. If necessary, use medications prescribed by your doctor.

4. Keeping the nose clean: When there is a lot of mucus, washing the nose with saline water (Nasal Irrigation) is very good. There are devices available for this at pharmacies.

5. Steam inhalation: If your nose is stuffy and your sinuses feel heavy, steam inhalation with hot water can help loosen mucus and help it come out.

When should you see a doctor?

A common sinus infection will clear up in a week or two. But if you have any of the symptoms below, don't waste time and see a doctor right away.

• If the sinus problem has not subsided for more than two weeks.
• If you have a severe headache, fever, and stiff neck .
• If you experience any changes in your vision (blurring, double vision).
• If there is swelling or redness around the eyes .
• Severe photophobia (photophobia).
• If you have difficulty thinking or feel anxious .

These symptoms indicate that the infection has become serious and is starting to affect the brain or eyes. Therefore, it is essential to seek immediate medical attention at this time. You may be referred to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

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