Have you ever had forehead sinusitis? How much do you know about this disease? Do you know the symptoms of this type of sinusitis and how you can treat it? In this article from the section diseasesHello Dr., we are examining the causes of forehead sinusitis, its symptoms and ways to treat this disease. In this article, we will introduce you to some home and natural methods that you can easily control your symptoms.
What is forehead sinusitis?
Forehead sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses behind the eyes. The sinuses are a collection of cavities that circulate air and are covered with a thin layer of mucus. All sinuses secrete mucus to moisten the airway, which eventually drains into the nasal passages.
If the frontal sinuses become inflamed or infected, the secreted mucus cannot drain well. This condition can make it difficult for a person to breathe and cause the person to feel increased pressure around the eyes and head. Acute frontal sinusitis is a condition in which a person has sinusitis for more than 4 weeks and less than 12 weeks.
Causes of forehead sinusitis
When germs cross the body’s natural defenses, they can cause forehead sinusitis. It can also be caused by certain inflammatory factors.
Some of the most common causes of forehead sinusitis are:
1- Viral infection
Viral infections, such as the common cold, often block the airways of the sinuses. As a result, the mucus in the frontal sinuses increases, leading to pain and inflammation.
Viral infections of the upper respiratory tract can also cause frontal sinusitis.
A healthy adult develops viral infections of the upper respiratory tract at least a few times a year. A healthy child can get these infections up to 6 times a year. Because the immune system in children is less developed.
2- Bacterial infection
Bacterial sinus infections have a longer duration of illness than viral infections, and the person may need antibiotics to treat the infection.
In some cases, a bacterial infection can follow a viral infection. This condition occurs when a patient’s immune system is weakened in the face of an initial infection. In this condition, the frontal sinuses become more vulnerable.
If the infection lasts more than 10 to 14 days; It is more likely to be bacterial.
3– Allergy and forehead sinusitis
Exposure to certain allergens such as dust, plant pollen and animal hair can cause sneezing and itching. These can lead to inflammation and mucus accumulation. This accumulation can prevent the mucus from draining through the nose.
Allergies can usually have symptoms such as sinusitis. However, the treatment for allergies is very different from the treatments for sinusitis; As a result, correct diagnosis is very important in this case.
4- Deviation of the nasal septum
The nasal septum is a wall composed of bone and cartilage tissue that divides the nasal cavity into two separate parts. A healthy nasal septum divides the nasal cavity into two equal airways.
According to published statistics, about 80% of people in the United States have septal deviation; But this deviation is difficult to see and does not affect the function of the nose.
Deviation of the nasal septum becomes problematic when it is difficult to breathe or prevents mucus from emptying. In addition, nasal septal deviation is a factor in infections such as sinusitis.
Nasal polyps and frontal sinusitis
Nasal polyps are the slow, painless growth of the lining of the nose or sinuses. Nasal polyps are directly related to inflammation and affect about 1 to 4 percent of adults in the United States. Polyps can occur for one of the following reasons:
- Multiple infections
- Environmental or drug allergies
- Chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma
In many cases, nasal polyps are harmless. However, in some cases, polyps can block airflow or restrict airflow and mucus into the sinuses.
signs
The most common symptoms of this sinusitis are:
- Nasal drainage
- Feeling of heaviness or increased pressure behind the eyes
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Muscular pain
- Nasal congestion
- Decreased sense of smell
- Bad Breath
- Mild or severe fever
The symptoms of this sinusitis can vary slightly depending on the cause of the disease. In viral infections, symptoms such as fatigue, fever, muscle aches and sore throats are more likely.
If the patient’s symptoms persist for less than 10 days and the condition does not worsen, he or she is more likely to develop acute viral sinusitis.
Acute bacterial sinusitis occurs when a person’s symptoms do not improve or worsen after 10 days.
If symptoms persist after a few months; The cause of the disease is probably a structural defect such as a deviated septum or nasal polyp.
Diagnosis of forehead sinusitis
An ear, nose and throat specialist will make a diagnosis after performing a series of tests, taking notes of the patient’s symptoms and studying the patient’s history.
Imaging techniques such as CT scans and MRIs can determine the extent of sinusitis or, in most cases, the underlying cause of the disease. Imaging is not usually used to diagnose acute forehead sinusitis. Doctors sometimes use these methods to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for chronic sinusitis. In some other cases, these images are used to diagnose the causes of sinusitis.
People who suffer from persistent sinus infections or chronic sinusitis can control the disease and prevent further complications by seeing an ear, nose and throat specialist or allergist and receiving appropriate treatment.
Ways of treatment
The goal of sinusitis treatment is to improve mucosal drainage and keep the sinuses clean. There are different treatments depending on the cause of the disease.
Viral infections are the most common cause of this sinusitis. To treat this condition, you should rest and drink plenty of fluids. In addition to these two works, nasal sprays and decongestants can also be used.
If the main cause of sinusitis is a bacterial infection, the disease can be overcome by taking antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.
If sinusitis is caused by an allergy, your doctor may recommend that you avoid allergens and allergens as much as possible and use antihistamines or corticosteroid nasal sprays.
A group of people get acceptable results by taking mucosal drying pills such as decongestants and nasal sprays containing phenylephrine or exi metazoline.
Be sure to consult your doctor before using these medications. The use of these drugs should be according to the doctor’s instructions and in a short time. If these drugs are used for a long time, the possibility of side effects or discomfort for the consumer increases.
Be aware that medications containing efrin or exi metazoline can interact with other medications your doctor prescribes and can cause side effects such as high blood pressure.
Surgery can be effective for people with a deviated septum or nasal polyp. Surgery can permanently solve the problems of a person with this condition and improve the health and function of the sinuses.
Home remedies for forehead sinusitis
The use of fumigators and sinus cleansers is a quick but short-term cure for sinusitis. Rinsing the nose with normal saline solution is a treatment that can relieve long-term symptoms. All these treatments can be done at home using the following materials:
- 4 glasses of filtered and distilled boiling water
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt without iodine
If you use boiled water, let the water boil for 3 to 5 minutes before making the solution.
Normal saline solution can also be obtained from stores.
Complications of this sinusitis
Chronic frontal sinusitis is a condition in which the symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks. The main cause of this condition is inflammation.
If to Chronic sinusitis If you are infected, you need to see a doctor and seek treatment. If left untreated, the chances of developing a tumor or cancerous gland in the sinuses increase.
Bacterial sinus infections get worse over time, and symptoms include increased mucus discharge, pain, and fever. If left untreated, a bacterial infection can spread to other areas, such as the head, neck, and brain, causing deeper, more deadly tissue infections.
See a doctor right away if you feel or notice any of the following symptoms:
- Severe and persistent headaches
- Pain and feeling of tightness in the neck
- Vertigo
- High fever
- Impaired concentration
- Sudden vision problems
- Puffiness or redness of the face, eyes and eyelids
Prevention of forehead sinusitis
Personal hygiene plays a very important role in maintaining the health of the body. It is important to wash your hands before eating, cooking, and caring for children to minimize the risk of illness.
Avoid common allergens such as tobacco products, cigarette smoke, dirt and dust as much as possible. These substances can cause severe respiratory allergies.
