An acute sinusitis must always be cured, otherwise it can become chronic. Medication is not always necessary for treatment – often home remedies can also help. Learn more about the duration, therapy and prevention of sinusitis here.
How long does sinusitis last?
The duration of acute sinusitis is usually 8 to 14 days with proper treatment. But when should you go to the doctor? The following applies here: at the latest, if the sinusitis lasts longer or if you do not feel any improvement of the symptoms during this period, you should go to the ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor or family doctor. You should also see a doctor if you have a high fever, very pronounced symptoms, if children are affected or if the symptoms suddenly worsen again after an initial improvement. This also applies if you regularly suffer from sinusitis.
Sinusitis: how is the diagnosis made?
Acute sinusitis is usually very easy for a doctor to recognize by its clear symptoms. Common diagnostic procedures for sinusitis include tapping the sinuses and examining the inside of the nose for inflammatory mucosal swelling or pus. A closer look at the excretory ducts is possible with magnifying instruments (rhinoscopy). If a bacterial infection is suspected, a nasal swab can be taken to determine the pathogen and thus the appropriate therapy. In special cases, further examination methods are used, such as an ultrasound examination of the sinuses or a measurement of the inflammation levels in the blood. In contrast to X-ray examinations, ultrasound examinations are not associated with radiation exposure and can therefore also be used during pregnancy and in children. In case of complications as well as before surgery, a computer tomography (CT) or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the sinuses is performed. Further investigations such as a CT scan or allergy tests are also often necessary in cases of chronic sinusitis. Important differential diagnoses – other conditions that should be ruled out – include migraine and other headache disorders, as well as trigeminal neuralgia.
Treatment of acute sinusitis: home remedies.
Because swelling of the mucous membrane in the nose obstructs access to the sinuses during a cold, treatment of sinusitis first and foremost requires decongestion of the mucous membrane so that the sinuses can be ventilated and mucus can drain away. Home remedies such as local heat treatment by steam inhalations or red light lamps are often used for this purpose. Nasal irrigation with a nasal douche can also help soothe irritated nasal mucosa. Often, a combination of herbal agents from natural medicine (cowslip, sorrel, gentian, verbena, elderberry), which have an expectorant, anti-inflammatory and virus-inactivating effect, is also used. It is also important for those affected to drink plenty of fluids – two to three liters a day are recommended – so that the mucus can liquefy and the mucous membranes remain moist. When sleeping, it may be advisable to elevate the head so that the secretions can drain off well. In addition, you should take it easy, stay at home for a few days and refrain from strenuous activities or sports for the time being. Sinusitis: symptoms and home remedies.
Therapy with medication: What helps with sinusitis?
Decongestant medicines in the form of nasal drops or nasal sprays, which are available over the counter in pharmacies, are also well suited. However, they should not be used for more than a week, otherwise a nasal spray addiction may develop. In addition, mucolytic or supportive medications (for example, with Myrtol) can be used. In case of severe pain, the administration of an appropriate analgesic is useful. The course of purulent sinusitis caused by bacterial pathogens can be positively influenced by the administration of antibiotics.
When is surgery necessary?
Surgery is required for acute sinusitis only in exceptional cases. Initially, the doctor will try to make inserts with swabs soaked in decongestant nasal drops or flush out the sinuses with an antibiotic solution. Also, under local anesthesia, the middle nasal passage can be expanded. Only in rare cases does the frontal sinus need to be opened with a drill to aspirate the mucus and pus.Surgery may also be necessary for complications such as eyelid edema.
Treatment of chronic sinusitis
In chronic sinusitis, the causes and extent must first be determined in order to select the right therapy. In milder forms, preparations containing cortisone can be used as drug therapy, but their use should always be under medical supervision. Here, too, expectorant and decongestant medications and home remedies can be used. In principle, surgery is considered only when conservative (non-surgical) therapy fails. In surgery for chronic sinusitis, for example, anatomical constrictions are removed (widening of the openings of the paranasal sinus to the nose) and pathologically altered mucosa is removed. In any case, in both recurrent acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis, the focus is on combating the cause. For example, an unrecognized allergy can be identified and treated via an allergy test. Problematic anatomic conditions such as nasal polyps or a crooked nasal septum can be surgically removed with the aid of endoscopy.
How can sinusitis be prevented?
In principle, all measures that strengthen the immune system are advisable, such as a vitamin-rich, balanced diet and plenty of exercise in the fresh air. In addition, the following tips can help prevent sinusitis:
- Blow your nose only gently when you have a cold, so as not to push mucus into your sinuses. Press thereby always only one nostril closed.
- “Pulling up your nose” is gentler on the sinuses than blowing your nose.
- In cold temperatures, be sure to keep your head warm as well.
- Drink plenty of fluids to moisten the mucous membranes and thin the mucus.
- Nasal sprays with sea salt or nasal rinses with a nasal douche also help keep mucous membranes moist. Avoid too dry air in the room (often caused by heating in winter) by ventilating regularly and placing a bowl of water on the heater.
- Never use decongestant nasal sprays for more than a week.
- Allergic rhinitis should be treated, such as hyposensitization or antihistamines.
For chronic or frequently recurring sinusitis, you should seek advice from your ENT specialist to determine and eliminate the cause. Proper treatment of acute sinusitis is important to prevent the development of chronic sinusitis.
