TL;DR:
- Sinusitis in Poland: Affects 4-8 million people annually.
- Types of Sinusitis: Viral (home remedies), bacterial (antibiotics), fungal (antifungal drugs).
- Causes: Viral/bacterial infections, allergies, nasal polyps, structural issues.
- Symptoms: Pain (face, nose, head), nasal obstruction, loss of smell, fatigue, fever, purulent discharge.
- Home Treatments: Sinus rinses (saline/sea water), inhalations (salt, oils, herbs), painkillers (ibuprofen/paracetamol), antihistamines, nasal drops (<7 days use), warm tea (honey, ginger, etc.).
- Prevention: Air humidity (40-60%), avoid pollutants/allergens, stay hydrated.
- Surgical Options: FESS surgery (unblocks sinuses), sinus puncture. Indications: chronic inflammation (>12 weeks), polyps, infections causing complications.
- Complications (untreated): Meningitis, vision loss, brain abscesses.
- Specialist Visit: ENT needed for diagnosis (rhinoscopy, CT, etc.) and treatment.
Sinusitis, is a condition that affects between 4-8 million people in Poland annually. Therefore, it is useful to know how to defend against sinusitis and what steps you can take when you suspect you have this type of condition. However, it is important to remember that acute and chronic inflammation should always be consulted with a doctor for diagnosis and selection of appropriate treatment. If you are looking for information on how to treat sinusitis at home and what preventive measures you can take to protect yourself from sinus complaints, we encourage you to learn more about the methods we present.
Anatomical structure of the sinuses
The sinuses are small pneumatic spaces within the facial skull. When the sinuses are healthy, the spaces are filled with air. When the sinuses are diseased – they become obstructed. The paranasal sinuses have protective, respiratory, thermal and static functions. We distinguish between frontal, maxillary, wedge and sieve sinuses. All types of sinuses are covered by the term "paranasal sinuses". Sinusitis can be viral, bacterial or fungal. If there is a viral inflammation, you can try to treat it with home remedies, since the treatment of inflammations of this type mainly involves implementing symptomatic treatment to relieve the symptoms of the disease. In the case of bacterial infections, the most common treatment is an antibiotic, for which it is advisable to go to a specialist. It is also important to remember that antibiotics should not be used alone, as this leads to antibiotic resistance, among other things. Fungal infections are treated with antifungal drugs. Here, drugs such as amphotericin B, flucytosine, or fluconazole, among others, are used.
Causes of sinusitis
Sinusitis can have various causes, the most common being:
- viral infections – this is the most common cause of sinusitis. Viruses such as rhinoviruses, coronaviruses or influenza virus can lead to swelling and inflammation of the mucous membranes, blocking the sinus outlets,
- Bacterial infections – bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae or Moraxella catarrhalis cause acute bacterial infection of the sinuses. This, in turn, leads to the accumulation of pus and produces more severe symptoms than a viral infection,
- allergies – allergic rhinitis, known as hay fever, can lead to chronic sinusitis. Allergens, such as pollen, dust mites or animal dander, generate an inflammatory response in the sinus mucosa,
- nasal polyps – benign growths of the mucous membrane that can block the sinus outlets and lead to chronic inflammation,
- structural problems – anatomical abnormalities such as curvature of the nasal septum often impede proper sinus drainage and lead to recurrent infections.
How to diagnose sinusitis?
Sinusitis depending on which sinus has been inflamed, usually manifests itself as pain in the following areas: nose, ear, eye sockets, jaw, cheeks or upper head area. In addition, the patient may complain of nasal obstruction, a weakened sense of smell, or a feeling characteristic of facial swelling. In addition to the above-mentioned symptoms, fatigue and subfebrile states, as well as purulent nasal discharge are also characteristic of sinusitis. If we have observed the above-mentioned symptoms in ourselves, but are not yet sure or able to go to the doctor, it is worth trying rinses, inhalations, the use of nasal drops and painkillers and antihistamines. In a situation where we are unable to control the symptoms with this form of treatment, it is worth going to an ENT specialist.
Painkillers and antihistamines.
One of the characteristic symptoms of sinusitis is pain. Most often localized in the area of various parts of the face, aggravated when bending and moving the head. The use of painkillers will help relieve the pain. Among the most common painkillers are those based on ibuprofen or paracetamol. Sinusitis is not a condition with a clear etiology. It can result from many factors, among which we also distinguish allergic causes. In this case, the sinuses and mucous membrane react with inflammation to an allergen present in the patient's environment. Then antihistamines will be helpful, which, by acting on the histamine receptor, nullify the symptoms resulting from the allergy. Among the most commonly highlighted allergens are plant and fungal dusts, dust mites and animal proteins found in animal dander or saliva.
Sinus rinses and inhalations
Sinus rinsing can be performed using a kit purchased for this at a pharmacy. The procedure involves pouring pressurized water into the nose and thus flushing out impurities from the sinuses. Some of the solutions used for this purpose can also have a soothing and moisturizing or anti-edema function. Sea water or saline solution is poured into a specially designed container, and then the solution is introduced into the nose. Sinus rinse at home can help clean out blockages and reduce discomfort. Inhalations involve inhaling mixtures usually consisting of hot water and salt, herbs or essential oils. After preparing the appropriate mixture, we lean over a bowl with the finished solution, cover our head with a towel and breathe in the vapors for about 10 minutes. We can prepare mixtures as follows: to about 500 ml of hot water, we add 2-3 tablespoons of table salt, essential oil or 40 – 60 g of herbs. Among the most commonly used oils for sinus inhalation are eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, tea oil or rosemary oil. Herbs helpful in preparing this type of infusion include sage, mint, thyme, rosemary and chamomile.
Nasal drops
To decongest a blocked nose, you can use oral or intranasal nasal mucosal decongestants. However, it should be noted that most nasal drops that act as mucosal decongestants should not be used for more than 7 days. These are especially drops containing active substances such as xylometazoline, oxylometazoline and thymazoline. Drops containing these active substances, used over a longer period of time, have addictive potential and can cause, among other things, drug-induced rhinitis and atrophy of the nasal mucosa.
Warm tea with additives
Hot tea not only has a warming effect, but also supports healing. Properly selected tea additives will support the other measures we take. We can add the following ingredients to tea:
- Honey – has antibacterial properties, supports immunity and provides valuable nutrients. We can successfully replace sugar in the diet with it.
- Cinnamon – helpful in stomach problems and during colds. Reduces inflammation. We can easily find many recipes for interesting blends of teas with cinnamon.
- Ginger – aids in cleansing the body of toxins, provides many nutrients, exhibits antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Clove – commonly known as a natural antibiotic. It is a source of vitamins and other nutrients. Especially helpful in colds.
- Citrine – has a beneficial effect on immunity. Supports metabolism and cleansing the body of toxins. Prevents the development of vascular and cardiovascular diseases.
Preventive actions
The above methods can be helpful when inflammation has already occurred and the first symptoms have appeared. In practice, however, most people prefer prevention to cure. Adequate preventive measures are much easier to apply than taking remedial measures when inflammation or a chronic condition is already present. **Useful measures for the prevention of sinusitis include actions such as regular humidification of the air and nasal mucosa, avoiding contact with pollutants and allergens, and taking enough fluids per day. The optimal humidity to guarantee comfortable breathing is between 40-60%. To humidify the air at home, it is a good idea to air the rooms frequently. You can also hang wet towels on radiators or use a humidifier. We can moisten the nasal mucous membranes using seawater with moisturizers or other preparations containing, for example, hyaluronic acid or vitamin B. Equally helpful in maintaining proper nasal hygiene, will be to avoid tobacco smoke and airborne pollutants. For this purpose, anti-smog masks will be useful, especially since, according to the World Health Organization, 33 out of the 50 most polluted cities in the world are located in Poland. Air pollution has a huge impact not only on sinusitis, but also on many other respiratory-related diseases. Taking in enough fluids is important not only from a sinusitis perspective, but also from many other health aspects. Consuming enough water makes it easier to cleanse the body of impurities, helps maintain proper body temperature and prevents excessive fatigue.
When should you go to a specialist?
If you suspect that you are dealing with chronic sinusitis or acute sinusitis, you should see a specialist as soon as possible. Symptoms of the aforementioned conditions include:
- acute sinusitis – thick and profuse nasal discharge of yellow or greenish color, pressure in the nasal area and rhinorrhea, olfactory disturbances, headache, malaise, increased lethargy, fever. Acute sinusitis lasts up to about 3 weeks.
- For chronic sinusitis – chronic sinusitis is inflammation that lasts more than 12 weeks and is recurrent. Nasal discharge can be watery or thick. Like acute inflammation, it is characterized by a blocked nose, olfactory disturbances or pain in the facial area, as well as sub-febrile states or fever and fatigue.
Surgical treatments for sinusitis
The simplest form of treatment for sinusitis is sinus puncture. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and the maxillary sinus is punctured using a fine needle. The gold standard for treating sinus complaints is endoscopic microsurgery with an endoscope under general anesthesia, also known as functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The goal is to unblock the connections between the sinuses and the nasal cavity.
What are the indications for sinus surgery?
Indications for sinus surgery include:
- chronic sinusitis that does not respond to drug treatment and persists for more than 12 weeks,
- nasal polyps that block the sinus outlets,
- sinus mucinomas,
- osteomas,
- structural problems such as curvature of the nasal septum,
- recurrent bacterial infections that lead to complications such as intracranial abscesses.
Course of treatment
Prior to the procedure, a consultation with an ENT physician and anesthesiologist is required. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia. FESS sinus surgery involves removing obstructions that block sinus drainage and improving airflow. Possible cysts, overgrown conchae or correction of a crooked nasal septum may also be removed. The procedure usually takes 1 to 2 hours, and the patient can go home the same day. A major advantage is the absence of external scarring, direct elimination of the cause of the ailment and thorough removal of pathologically altered areas. The recovery period is about 3 weeks. After the operation, it is recommended to avoid hot baths, swimming, flying in airplanes or playing sports. Proper hygiene of the nasal cavity, rinsing of the sinuses and taking medications also play a major role.
What can you expect from sinus surgery?
Effects usually include:
- cessation of recurrent infections and sinusitis,
- improvement in breathing through the nose,
- reduction of pain and pressure in the sinus area,
- improved quality of life, including better sleep and overall well-being.
Untreated sinuses can lead to serious complications, so early diagnosis and use of modern surgical techniques appropriate treatment prevents complications and improves quality of life. At the OT.CO Clinic in Warsaw, we focus on finding and combating the cause of sinusitis in the individual patient.
Possible complications
Complications, are conditions that arise, among other things, as a result of experiencing another disease or failing to treat a condition. Long untreated diseases involving the nasal and sinus mucosa sometimes lead to irreversible complications. Such complications, most often include the formation of cysts, abscesses or swellings in the face. Dangerous and permanent complications include, for example, meningitis or loss of vision (for example, in orbital peak syndrome), osteomyelitis and brain abscess. Some of these are irreversible.
Contact a specialist
For chronic or recurrent sinusitis, the most important thing will be to contact a specialist – an otolaryngologist. An experienced doctor, after interviewing the patient and taking appropriate measures, will make a diagnosis and guide treatment. A rhinoscopy, radiography, CT scan, endoscopy or sinus puncture may be necessary to diagnose sinusitis. In some cases, surgical intervention may also be needed. To make an appointment with an ENT specialist, visit the OT.CO Clinic. The clinic is equipped with the right tools to diagnose diseases of the sinuses, nose, ears and throat.
Conclusion
Managing sinusitis begins with understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments. From home remedies like rinses and inhalations to seeking medical care for chronic cases, timely intervention is key. Prevention—humidifying air, staying hydrated, and avoiding allergens—can reduce the risk of recurrence. For severe conditions, specialist care, including surgery, offers relief and a return to normal life. Ignoring sinus issues can lead to serious complications, so listen to your body and act early.
