How to reduce inflammation of the paranasal sinuses

Rhinosinusitis is a widespread problem. It is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which is always associated with a certain degree of nasal inflammation.

This can be of an allergic cause or be favored by the presence of structures that prevent the passage of air inside the nose, for example, when the septum has deviated. In other cases, it may be due to an infection, for example.

Next, in this FastlyHealarticle, you will find information about the best treatments to solve rhinosinusitis, both acute and chronic, and you will know how to reduce inflammation of the paranasal sinuses.

Why are sinuses inflamed?

The sinuses are air-filled cavities that are located just around the nose. One of its primary functions is the production of mucus. This mucus lines both the paranasal sinuses and part of the airway and serves to protect the mucosa and defend against foreign particles of all kinds.

For the sinuses to function well and remain healthy, it is essential that the nose is porous and allows air to pass through.

If the nose becomes blocked, either by inflammation, a blow, or a deviation of the septum, the opening that connects the sinuses with the nose can also be covered. Thus, the mucus will continue to be produced within the paranasal sinus, but it will not come out, generating much discomfort.

Among the most frequent causes of inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, we can find:

• Allergy.
• Infection: viral, bacterial, fungal.
• Trauma
• Septum deviation.
• Altered shape of other nasal structures (e.g., turbinates).
• Strange body.
• Increased production of secretions throughout the body (for example, mucoviscidosis).
• Fistula or abnormal communication between the teeth and the paranasal sinuses (tooth extraction).
• Dental cysts
• Complication after nasal endonasal or endocranial surgery.

Symptoms of inflammation in the sinuses

When the sinuses become inflamed and mucus accumulates, various symptoms can appear. The signs will differ depending on whether it is an allergy, an acute viral or bacterial infection, or a rather chronic inflammation.

Allergic rhinosinusitis

In this case, there are usually:

• Clear snot similar to water.
• Sneezing
• Itching sensation
• It worsens in some seasons of the year or time of day.

It can be complicated by some of the other types of rhinosinusitis.

Acute viral rhinosinusitis

It is a virus infection usually resolves when the proper measures are taken.

Among the most important symptoms are:

• Clear nasal secretions.
• The sensation of having a stuffy nose.
• Headache.
• Pain in the face in the area of ​​the paranasal sinuses.
• Pain in the body the first days.
• There may be a low fever.
• There may have been a sore throat at first.
• It can continue with dysphonia and cough.

Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis

• Pain: headache or in the area of ​​the affected paranasal sinuses (under the eyes, in the forehead, in the middle of the eyes). The pain is usually throbbing, and it can go to other areas such as the teeth, vision, or head. This discomfort is made worse by bending over.
• A sensation of having a stuffy nose.
• A feeling of pressure on the face or teeth.
• Greenish, yellowish, or brown nasal secretions.
• The success of swallowing mucus
• To.
• There may be a fever.

Chronic rhinosinusitis

Symptoms can be permanent or worsen at certain times of the year and are often related to habits. It is chronic when rhinosinusitis lasts for more than three months.

This type of rhinosinusitis usually presents with:

• Nasal obstruction.
• Green, yellowish, brown nasal secretions.
• The sensation of swallowing secretions.
• To.
• Facial heaviness

Medical treatment of inflamed sinuses

To reduce inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, you can resort to drugs, surgeries, natural remedies, and, what I consider more effective, review your habits so that problems do not occur again.

The medication that is usually used to reduce inflammation of the paranasal sinuses can be applied both locally and by mouth, and the choice of one or another drug will depend on the cause of the inflammation, the patient’s health status, and the preferences of both the professional who It indicates it as from the person suffering from rhinosinusitis.

Local medication

They are widely used in medical practice. On the one hand, the physiological solution (or similar) can wash the nose so that the mucus does not stagnate. On the other hand, anti-inflammatories are used, which are generally corticosteroids. These corticosteroids can also be:

• The shallow dose only acts at the level of the nose and paranasal sinuses. These are substances such as mometasone furoate or fluticasone, among the most used. Their action is not immediate, but it is more durable, they do not damage the turbinate structure, and it is suggested that they could be used for a longer time than other more powerful ones.
• High dose or with excellent penetration into the body. They are also corticosteroids, such as betamethasone, or decongestants, such as naphazoline. They are more powerful and reduce inflammation faster, but they also have a rebound effect, returning the inflammation in a short time. On the other hand, they have less and less effective. Therefore, whoever uses them tends to increase their dose until finally, they have practically no impact because they damage the elastic structure of the turbinates.

Systemic medication

These are drugs that act throughout the body, including the nose, promoting anti-inflammation and, in some cases, acting on infections.

• Antimicrobials: Antibiotics are the most commonly used drugs in acute rhinosinusitis and some cases of chronic rhinosinusitis. Its use and choice depend on each particular case. There is a tendency to use less and fewer antibiotics in medical practice, precisely because it is being verified that in addition to attacking a bacterium that can be found in the sinuses, the necessary bacterial flora in other areas of the body is also destroyed (known as the microbiota), which is essential to resolve disease processes in the body. Also included in this group are antifungals. They can be used to treat some cases of chronic rhinosinusitis or in cases of fungi in patients with meager defenses.
• Antiallergics: drugs that reduce cells activated in inflammation and allergy processes. They are usually used in allergic, seasonal, or severe inflammation cases. A professional should also indicate them since their excessive use overloads the body, and they are not exempt from adverse reactions.
• Anti-inflammatories: a specific group of anti-inflammatories that act by blocking the action of certain substances linked to allergic inflammation is also usually recommended in cases of allergy and chronic inflammation. That is why it is generally indicated in cases of rhinosinusitis associated with asthma, for example.
• Corticosteroids: These powerful anti-inflammatories are sometimes indicated in acute cases and others in more chronic cases. They are usually prescribed for a short time to decrease inflammation quickly. They are not drugs that can be used for a long time since they generate many adverse reactions throughout the body.

Surgery

Endonasal surgery can help resolve some cases of rhinosinusitis, especially when not responding to medical treatment.

The surgical option will be raised by the medical professional. In that case, it will be explained what the surgery consists of, the postoperative care, and what is expected of this long-term treatment. Each case is different and, therefore, must be carefully analyzed.

Among the most common reasons for surgery are:

• In severe acute cases with complications due to invasion of structures near the paranasal sinuses (for example, an infection spread to areas near the eye).
• When there is a deviation of the septum.
• We are faced with other structural abnormalities that prevent the ventilation of the nose, such as hypertrophy of turbinates.
• In cases of chronic rhinosinusitis that do not respond to medical treatment.
• If there is suspicion or confirmation of fungal infection.

Different types of approaches can be performed, either through the nose, through endoscopic or direct vision, or other accesses depending on the affected paranasal sinus (for example, through the mouth in some cases of maxillary rhinosinusitis).

How to reduce inflammation of the sinuses naturally.

Nature offers various options to improve sinus inflammation. Of course, it is more than essential to study why the breast or breasts are inflamed since otherwise, we will incur a superficial treatment of the symptoms.

Identification of the cause

This is essential to solve any cause of rhinosinusitis. It consists of going a little beyond the apparent symptoms, delving into other symptoms and imbalances, and finding their relationship.

Fundamentally, lifestyle habits that have to do with eating, smoking, exercising, sleeping patterns, digestion, etc., should be reviewed. Look a little further at what may be related to inflammation.

In this way, it is possible to act earlier when the problem occurs.

Natural anti-inflammatories

Several substances can be included in the diet daily or taken through infusions, and that help reduces inflammation throughout the body, including the sinuses. Is about:

• Turmeric: in addition to reducing inflammation in the body in a powerful way, it is a recognized antimicrobial, not only demonstrated for millennia from Ayurveda but also current medicine. 1/2 teaspoon can be incorporated into meals or combined with honey for many nasal discharges.
• Ginger: Can be used both powdered and fresh. Fresh ginger can cause gastric upset in those with such imbalances, whereas powdered ginger can be used in small amounts by all people, even children. A pinch of powder can be used in hot water for adults up to 3 times a day. A fraction can also be included in flavor foods.
• Eucalyptus: eucalyptus-infused steam is widely used among herbalists. It is instrumental in cases of a lot of secretion or vaporizing the environment.

Oil massages

Natural oils (such as coconut or sesame) are beneficial when the body is dehydrated (dry skin, constipation, nasal blockage without mucus), natural oils (such as coconut or sesame) are helpful. Not only applied next to the nose, in the affected sinus area, and throughout the body. It is left to act for 30 minutes, and then the excess is removed with a warm bath.

Nasal washes

You can find much more information about this technique in the article How to do a nasal wash. It consists of cleaning both sides of the nose and sinuses to free them of mucus and facilitate the entry of air, which will be essential to help their healing.

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to How to reduce inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, we recommend that you enter our Ear, Nose, and Throat category.