Sinus inflammation (sinusitis) is a recurring problem that can have serious consequences if not treated properly. What is sinus inflammation? What are the symptoms?
Sinus inflammation – divisions according to sinus type
What we mean by sinus inflammation is the presence of inflamed membranes in any paranasal sinus. The paranasal sinuses include: frontal, ethmoid, sphenoidal and jaw sinuses. This inflammatory state can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi penetrating the body.
Sinus inflammation – division according to inflammation type
Not every inflammation looks the same, therefore, there are three kinds of sinus inflammatory states that can be distinguished: severe, recurrent and chronic. What are the differences between them? Well, severe sinus inflammation usually lasts for no longer than 3 weeks and does not make it difficult for the sinuses to fully recover to their normal state. Recurrent inflammation, as the name suggests, is the alternate presence of the inflammatory and normal state. It is diagnosed when the inflammation occurs at least four times a year. It usually does not damage the mucosa. The biggest danger to the nose or the sinus mucous membrane is a chronic sinus inflammation. The changes it causes are visible on a tomographic examination (computer tomography of the sinuses). This condition is diagnosed when the inflammation lasts for at least six weeks and occurs more than four times a year.
Sinus inflammation – symptoms
Primarily sinus inflammation manifests itself through a nasal congestion , pain in the face or head and fever. Other symptoms are coughing, ear blockage, fatigue and toothache or sore throat. If there is nasal congestion you can experience difficulties with your sense of smell.
Sinus inflammation – complications
Untreated sinus inflammation can cause complications to develop in the form of an inflammation of the so-called orbital or intracranial sinuses. This is a condition with very serious consequences. The orbital complications include: abscesses (above a lachrymal sack or inside an eye socket), a frontal sinus “fracture”, an eye socket phlegmon, superior orbital fissure syndrome and retrobulbar optic neuritis. The intracranial complications include: meningitis, cranial bone osteomyelitis, subdural and epidural abscesses and brain abscesses, as well as thrombophlebitis of the cavernous sinus.
Sinus inflammation – divisions according to sinus type
What we mean by sinus inflammation is the presence of inflamed membranes in any paranasal sinus. The paranasal sinuses include: frontal, ethmoid, sphenoidal and jaw sinuses. This inflammatory state can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi penetrating the body.
Sinus inflammation – division according to inflammation type
Not every inflammation looks the same, therefore, there are three kinds of sinus inflammatory states that can be distinguished: severe, recurrent and chronic. What are the differences between them? Well, severe sinus inflammation usually lasts for no longer than 3 weeks and does not make it difficult for the sinuses to fully recover to their normal state. Recurrent inflammation, as the name suggests, is the alternate presence of the inflammatory and normal state. It is diagnosed when the inflammation occurs at least four times a year. It usually does not damage the mucosa. The biggest danger to the nose or the sinus mucous membrane is a chronic sinus inflammation. The changes it causes are visible on a tomographic examination (computer tomography of the sinuses). This condition is diagnosed when the inflammation lasts for at least six weeks and occurs more than four times a year.
Sinus inflammation – symptoms
Primarily sinus inflammation manifests itself through a nasal congestion , pain in the face or head and fever. Other symptoms are coughing, ear blockage, fatigue and toothache or sore throat. If there is nasal congestion you can experience difficulties with your sense of smell.
Sinus inflammation – complications
Untreated sinus inflammation can cause complications to develop in the form of an inflammation of the so-called orbital or intracranial sinuses. This is a condition with very serious consequences. The orbital complications include: abscesses (above a lachrymal sack or inside an eye socket), a frontal sinus “fracture”, an eye socket phlegmon, superior orbital fissure syndrome and retrobulbar optic neuritis. The intracranial complications include: meningitis, cranial bone osteomyelitis, subdural and epidural abscesses and brain abscesses, as well as thrombophlebitis of the cavernous sinus.
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