Therapy for diseased sinuses | Paranasal sinuses

Therapy for diseased sinuses

In order to achieve relief for sinus problems, various home remedies can be used at the first signs of symptoms. For example, it is advisable to inhale warm vapors to reduce the swelling of irritated mucous membranes. To do this, put eucalyptus oil or chamomile flowers in a bowl of hot water and inhale the vapors for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day under a towel.

Warming infrared light directed at the sinuses can also accelerate the healing process. However, the application of heat is only useful if it is perceived as pleasant. In the case of very severe inflammation, heat can also increase the discomfort.

Other household remedies used in sinus treatment are compresses of warm water and eucalyptus oil or lemon, in which a linen cloth or washcloth is soaked and then placed on the sinuses. A very important home remedy for sinusitis is a high fluid intake to liquefy the mucus. Herbal and peppermint teas can also have a decongestant effect.

In addition, care should be taken to ensure that there is sufficient humidity in the living rooms and that cigarette smoke in the vicinity is avoided, as it irritates the mucous membranes.If the symptoms of sinusitis do not improve despite the use of home remedies, a doctor should be consulted so that the disease can be fully cured and a chronic course can be prevented. There are several ways to clear the sinuses of mucus and make breathing easier. Saline solutions are suitable for rinsing the sinuses, which can either be bought ready-made at the pharmacy or prepared by the patient himself.

There are so-called nasal showers that can be used for this purpose. You can also put the rinsing solution in a small bowl, cover one nostril and suck up water with the free nostril. The solution flows through the nose and comes out through the mouth.

By rinsing the paranasal sinuses, snorting off the secretion is made easier and the salt water also has a disinfecting effect. The rinsing should always be carried out over a sink, as the amount of mucus that is flushed out of the sinuses can be unpredictable. The sinuses should not be rinsed more than four times a day.

Inhaling steam or essential oils can also open the sinuses, moisten irritated mucous membranes and clear the nose of mucus. To do this, pour boiling water (possibly with the addition of essential oils) into a bowl, bend over it with a towel over your head and inhale the rising steam. Inhaling just two or three times a day for a few minutes can effectively relieve the symptoms of a cold or sinusitis.

It is important to rinse out the inhaler or bowl well after inhaling and then let it dry, as there are bacteria that need little moisture to multiply. Care should be taken with essential oils, especially in infants and children, as they can irritate the respiratory tract and trigger an asthma attack, which can cause a baby or child to have difficulty breathing. Mucolytics are also useful for clearing the sinuses of secretions.

Various preparations are available without prescription in pharmacies or drugstores, such as capsules containing the active ingredient Cineol, which has an expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect within a short time. A cold bath at body temperature can also help to clear the sinuses. However, one should not overdo it with measures to free the sinuses, as the mucous membranes can quickly become irritated and nosebleeds can occur.

An operation in the area of the paranasal sinuses is a very demanding surgical measure due to the anatomy, which should be well considered. Surgery can improve the quality of life in cases of chronic sinusitis. In the majority of cases, surgery improves the state of health, especially in people who cannot be treated with medication for sinusitis.

However, in many cases the symptoms return after the operation, for example, removed nasal polyps can grow back after some time. Surgery of the paranasal sinuses also always involves risks, for example, important structures for moistening the nose can be damaged during the operation, which is why dry mucous membranes often occur after the operation. In rare cases, structures close to the paranasal sinuses can also be damaged.

As a result, there is a risk of meningitis, inflammation of the eyes or blindness. Temporary consequences of a paranasal sinus surgery can be an impairment of the olfactory function or bleeding. Since chronic sinusitis can have many different causes, it must be decided individually what kind of surgery can help to alleviate the symptoms in each individual case.

A reduction in the size of the nasal concha is rarely performed nowadays. The typical surgical measure nowadays is a so-called functional endoscopic surgery of the paranasal sinuses (FESS for short). This can remove constrictions or nasal polyps.

This method is very gentle and hardly painful, usually only a one-day stay in hospital is necessary after the operation. The nasal septum can also be operated endoscopically. It is also possible to reduce the size of swollen mucous membranes in the area of the paranasal sinuses using laser technology.

By reducing the swelling of the mucous membranes, it is hoped that the course of the infection will be less severe, as this will prevent blockages in the paranasal sinuses. In rather simple cases of chronic sinusitis, a so-called balloon dilatation can be performed.A balloon is inserted into the nose by means of a catheter and inflated slowly at the entrance of the paranasal sinuses, allowing narrowed openings to be widened. This method is relatively simple and involves few complications, but it is questionable whether this surgery has any long-term benefits.

Even in the case of chronic sinusitis, surgery is often not expected to completely eliminate the symptoms, and the frequency and severity of the symptoms can be reduced. However, most of those affected must continue to receive therapeutic care after surgery.