What are sinuses and what is their function?
The sinuses are hollow cavities located in the skull bones around the nose. They play several essential roles:
- Lightening the weight of the skull: Sinuses reduce the density of the skull, making it lighter.
- Mucus production: They produce mucus that moistens the nasal passages, helping to filter and eliminate inhaled particles and micro-organisms.
- Temperature and humidity regulation: They help regulate the temperature and humidity of inhaled air.
- Voice amplification: The sinuses contribute to the resonance of the voice.
What are the main sinus conditions?
The most common sinus conditions include :
- Acute sinusitis: A sudden, short-term inflammation of the sinuses, often caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
- Chronic sinusitis: Prolonged inflammation of the sinuses lasting more than 12 weeks, often due to allergies, infections or structural abnormalities.
- Nasal polyps: Non-cancerous growths in the sinus mucosa that can obstruct mucus drainage.
What are the symptoms of sinusitis?
Symptoms of sinusitis may vary depending on the form (acute or chronic), but generally include:
- Facial pain or pressure: Localized around the eyes, forehead, cheeks and nose.
- Nasal congestion: Difficulty breathing through the nose due to blocked nasal passages.
- Nasal discharge: Thick, colored secretions (green or yellow).
- Reduced sense of smell: Decreased or lost ability to smell.
- Headache: Severe pain in the head, often exacerbated by bending over.
- Fatigue: general feeling of tiredness and malaise.
How is sinusitis treated?
Treatment of sinusitis depends on its cause and severity. Common approaches include
- Acute sinusitis: Usually treated with decongestants, analgesics, and sometimes antibiotics if bacterial infection is suspected.
- Chronic sinusitis: May require corticosteroids, antihistamines for allergies, saline nasal washes and, in some cases, surgery to correct structural abnormalities.
- Natural remedies: Use of saline solutions to irrigate the sinuses, steam inhalation, and use of supplements such as grapefruit seed extract for their antimicrobial properties.
What causes sinusitis?
Sinusitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Viral infections: The most common cause, such as the common cold.
- Bacterial infections: when blocked sinuses allow bacteria to grow.
- Allergies: Allergic reactions causing sinus inflammation.
- Pollutants: Exposure to environmental irritants such as cigarette smoke or air pollution.
- Anatomical problems: Deviations of the nasal septum or presence of nasal polyps.
Can sinusitis be prevented?
To prevent sinusitis, it is advisable to:
- Avoid irritants: Limit exposure to smoke, pollution and allergens.
- Maintain good nasal hygiene: Use saline nasal washes to keep nasal passages clear.
- Humidify the air: Use a humidifier to prevent dry air from irritating the sinuses.
- Hydration: Drink enough water to keep mucous membranes hydrated.
- Prompt allergy treatment: Use antihistamines and other treatments to manage allergic symptoms.
When should you consult a doctor about sinusitis?
We recommend that you see a doctor if you experience:
- Severe or persistent symptoms: Intense facial pain, high fever, thick, stained nasal discharge lasting more than 10 days.
- Recurrent sinusitis: If you have frequent episodes of sinusitis.
- Chronic symptoms: Nasal congestion and facial pain lasting more than 12 weeks.
- Complications: Blurred vision, edema around the eyes, or signs of severe infection such as redness around the eyes or cheeks.
What natural remedies are effective for sinusitis?
Several natural remedies can help relieve the symptoms of sinusitis:
- Steam inhalation: Helps clear nasal passages by inhaling warm steam.
- Saline solutions: Nasal washes with a saline solution to clean and moisten the sinuses.
- Essential oils: Use essential oils such as eucalyptus or peppermint for their decongestant properties.
- Ginger and turmeric: Use these spices for their anti-inflammatory properties.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water and warm liquids to keep mucous membranes hydrated.
How is sinusitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis of sinusitis is based on :
- Clinical examination: The doctor examines the patient's symptoms and medical history, including the presence of facial pain, nasal congestion and runny nose.
- Nasal endoscopy: Use of an endoscope to directly visualize the sinuses and detect abnormalities or inflammation.
- Medical imaging: Tests such as computed tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to obtain detailed images of the sinuses.
- Mucus cultures: Analysis of nasal mucus to identify the presence of bacteria or fungi.
- Allergy testing: to determine whether allergies are the cause of chronic sinusitis.
What are the risks and complications of untreated sinusitis?
Untreated sinusitis can lead to a number of complications, including
- Chronic sinusitis: prolonged inflammation of the sinuses, which may require more intensive treatment.
- Serious infections: Spread of infection to surrounding structures, such as bones (osteomyelitis) or eyes (orbital cellulitis).
- Meningitis: Spread of infection to the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- Cerebral abscess: accumulation of pus in the brain due to the spread of infection.
- Reduced quality of life: Persistent symptoms affecting sleep, concentration and daily activities.
How does sinusitis affect children?
In children, sinusitis presents a number of particularities:
- Symptoms: include nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, persistent cough, and sometimes fever. Children may also experience facial pain, though less often than adults.
- Causes: Viral infections, allergies and enlarged adenoids are common causes of sinusitis in children.
- Diagnosis: Often based on clinical symptoms and physical examination. Medical imaging is reserved for complex or chronic cases.
- Treatment: Includes decongestants, nasal washes and sometimes antibiotics. In some cases, surgery to remove the adenoids may be necessary.
What's the link between allergies and sinusitis?
Allergies play a crucial role in the development of sinusitis, particularly chronic sinusitis:
- Inflammation: Allergic reactions cause inflammation of the nasal passages and sinuses, blocking mucus drainage.
- Mucus production: Allergies increase mucus production, which can build up and encourage bacterial infections.
- Treatment: Managing allergies with antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids and immunotherapies can reduce the risk of sinusitis.
What surgical techniques are available to treat chronic sinusitis?
For chronic sinusitis resistant to medical treatment, several surgical techniques can be considered:
- Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS): Use of an endoscope to remove obstructions and improve sinus drainage.
- Balloon sinuplasty: Dilatation of obstructed sinuses with a balloon to restore natural drainage.
- Tissue reduction: Removal or reduction of nasal polyps or enlarged tissues.
- Septoplasty: Correction of deviated nasal septum to improve breathing and sinus drainage.
These procedures are designed to improve sinus function and reduce symptoms over the long term.
