A blocked nose, a feeling of pressure in the head, fever and pain when touching the face: many adults suffer from acute sinusitis at least once a year.
The paranasal sinuses are air-filled cavities in the skull. These include the frontal sinuses, maxillary sinuses and sphenoid sinuses as well as the ethmoid cells between the eye sockets. The paranasal sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity through narrow openings. “In acute rhinosinusitis, as the disease is medically called, the mucous membrane in one or more paranasal sinuses is inflamed. If the mucous membranes are swollen or damaged, the mucous secretion that the nose normally produces to cleanse itself can no longer drain away” explains Michael Soyka, Head Physician at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. The mucus accumulates in the sinuses, where the pathogens spread quickly in the warm and humid climate and lead to inflammation.
Just wait and drink tea
Typical symptoms are a blocked nose, a painful feeling of pressure and pain when touching the face. Acute rhinosinusitis can be treated with painkillers, nasal rinsing with saline products and sprays or ointments to care for the mucous membrane. Herbal remedies can also help, and drinking plenty of fluids can improve your well-being and provide some relief. The inflammation usually heals within a few days. If the symptoms persist unchanged for more than three days, if they keep returning or if they are associated with a fever of over 38 °C, you should consult a doctor. “Acute rhinosinusitis always begins with a viral infection,” explains Michael Soyka. “Antibiotics are therefore not necessary at first. However, if the treatment does not work over a longer period of time, a bacterial inflammation may have developed, against which antibiotics can then be used.” If the symptoms of rhinosinusitis persist for longer than twelve weeks, experts speak of chronic rhinosinusitis.
How to prevent rhinosinusitis?
What can be done to prevent this unpleasant inflammation? “Everything that strengthens the body’s defenses contributes to prevention,” says Michael Soyka. “So a generally healthy lifestyle and good care of the mucous membrane when the nose is not feeling well.” Allergy sufferers should take their allergies seriously and have them treated, as pre-existing inflammation of the mucous membrane increases the risk of acute inflammation. What’s more, wearing a mask protects other people from catching a cold – and thus from any acute rhinosinusitis that may result.
