The outbreak of this disease can be seen at all ages from children and teenagers to the elderly. Especially on foggy winter mornings if someone wakes up with a severe headache, stuffy nose, and shortness of breath due to sinusitis, it is very painful.
What is sinusitis and what causes it:
The hollow air-filled cavities in the bones of our skull that connect to the forehead, around the orbits, inside the cheekbones, and around the back of the nose are called sinuses. If there is an inflammation or ulceration of the inner membrane of this hole or if there is an infection caused by bacteria, it is called ‘sinusitis’.
One of the important functions of the sinuses, or the hollow air spaces in our mouths, is to retain moisture in our airways and help defend against various tiny dust particles, allergens, and airborne germs. Also, because of the hollow part, we don’t have to move with the brain weighing about one and a half kilograms inside our skull.
Because the sinuses inside the forehead bone (frontal sinus), under the eye (maxillary sinus), and inside the skull (sphenoidal and ethmoidal sinus) coordinate the weight of the bones, that is, keep the weight of the headlight. The sinuses also play a role in vocal cord vibration, sound production, and resonance.
Why is that?
Generally, the incidence of sinusitis is more common in those who have any diseases or long-term abnormalities of the nose, ears, throat, airways, and teeth. Curved nasal bones, polyps, long-term diseases of teeth and gums, natural dust, smoke from cars or factories, and smoking all increase the risk of sinusitis.
Apart from this, asthma, shortness of breath, frequent colds, coughs, tonsillitis, and cold-related or allergic rhinitis all increase the risk of infection. Sinus infections are usually caused by bacterial, viral, and fungal infections and even allergies.
Signs and symptoms:
Initially, pain behind the eyes with severe headache, nasal congestion with heavy forehead pain, or frequent cold, along with fever are the symptoms of the disease in most cases. Sinusitis headaches are usually mild at the beginning of the day and gradually increase, worsening with lying down.
Along with lethargy, apathy, nasal congestion, yellow runny nose, cough with sputum, itchy eyes, and watery eyes, the sense of smell in the nose may disappear. Throat inflammation and bad breath may occur. Asthma patients may have more difficulty breathing. The taste and smell of food may be lost. There may also be a fever.
Diagnosis:
X-rays of the nose show a cloudy sinus infection, as well as crooked nasal bones. Allergy tests can be used to diagnose the disease. Routine urinalysis, blood sugar, and ECG after age 40.
A doctor can usually use these tests to determine whether the sinusitis is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or some other allergic cause. An infection (usually bacterial) lasting more than three months is called chronic or long-term sinusitis.
Remedy:
Patients with sinus problems are treated by medicine, ear, nose, throat, and chest specialists. For long-term inflammation or infection of the sinuses, the medicine should be taken as per the doctor’s advice.
If the infection is more severe and does not resolve with medication, in some cases the pus, and debris from the sinuses is removed through endoscopy surgery with the help of advanced technology called antral wash. Contrary to common misconceptions here, it should be noted that once the sinuses are cleaned, they do not need to be cleaned again and again.
Prevention:
Personal awareness and some lifestyle changes play a major role in preventing this painful disease to avoid repeated infections.
→ Cold drinks and food should be avoided altogether.
→ Surgical masks should be used on roads and workplaces to avoid dust.
→ For those who have sinusitis problems, furry animals or birds cannot be kept at home because animal hair can cause allergens to enter the human body and cause allergic sinusitis. Carpets or furry clothing should be avoided for the same reason.
→ Avoid smoking directly and indirectly.
→ Care should be taken to prevent tooth infection from tooth decay and other decaying substances.
→ Regular regular walking or light exercise should be practiced.
→ Above all, you should create a diet that is helpful in preventing diseases.
The best decision is to consult a doctor as soon as possible for any health problem. And in cases where there is a risk of repeated attacks, personal awareness can play a role in prevention. Mental balance is closely related to physical health, so the feeling of good health is incomparable in one word.
Illnesses of the body and mind have a direct adverse effect on our concentration and performance. So if we make some changes in lifestyle and diet for the purpose of staying healthy, the effect will help to make our life easier and healthier overall.