Often, discomfort in the frontal sinuses is referred to as a headache. But it is important to distinguish between these phenomena, because they are very different. If the frontal sinus hurts, then this is usually referred to as a disease such as frontal sinusitis. With this disease, inflammation occurs in the nasal mucosa. The causes and treatment of pain are described in the article.
What is the frontal sinus?
Inflammation of the frontal sinus is in about 15% of the total population. You can protect yourself from infections, viruses, but during a cold, flu or frequent headaches, the frontal sinus suffers. The frontal sinus is located above the nose and is an anterior void, and is interconnected with the nasopharynx through the frontonasal fold. Due to its anatomical features, it is through it that many viruses and infections that cause pain enter.
This chamber is presented as a paired organ. Therefore, inflammation is always observed on the entire part of the forehead. The structure, size, volume of the frontal sinus is different. But usually sheoccupies about 5 cubic meters. see and looks like a triangle. Inside this area is a mucous membrane. People of different ages may experience pain in this area. Whatever it is, needs treatment.
Reasons
Why do my frontal sinuses hurt? There are many causes of inflammation, most of them relate to the weakening of general and local immunity. Frontitis appears from a viral, bacterial or fungal infection. Inflammation can be acute or chronic.
In the acute stage of the disease, there is a sharp swelling of the nasal mucosa, and pain appears both on one side and on both sides at the same time (bilateral frontal sinusitis). Chronic appearance occurs due to anatomical abnormalities, as well as due to incorrect or late treatment.
Chronic ailments of the nasopharynx
If the frontal sinus hurts, then the cause may be in chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract (sinusitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis). Pathogenic microorganisms (viruses, bacteria), developing in the nasopharyngeal mucosa, weaken the immune system, and the infection spreads to the internal sinuses.
A feature of inflammation is then considered a wave-like course of the disease, probably the disappearance of signs of the disease without special treatment. But it must be borne in mind that a decrease in the severity of signs of frontal sinusitis may not lead to an absolute cure. Usually the disease becomes chronic.
Long use of vasoconstrictor drops
If the frontal sinus hurts, then the cause may be prolonged usevasoconstrictors. Appearance likely with them:
- edema;
- hyperemia of the nasopharyngeal mucosa;
- accumulation of viscous secretions in large quantities;
- pain in the paranasal sinuses.
This condition leads to a noticeable decrease in the amount of oxygen that enters the paranasal sinuses. It also increases internal pressure, which leads to headaches at the site of inflammation.
Other reasons
The frontal sinus hurts also due to other reasons. It is on them that the form and severity of the disease depends. More pain occurs when:
- constant stress that lowers the protective effect of the body;
- severe hypothermia of the body, limbs;
- trauma to the nose or head at the site of the paranasal sinuses;
- allergies - bronchial asthma, rhinitis;
- presence of a foreign body;
- nasal polyps.
Foreign parts (beads, designer items) in the nose lead to sinusitis in children. After eliminating the causes of pain, they disappear completely.
Symptoms
If the frontal sinus hurts, you need to pay attention to additional symptoms. They are local and general. From local signs, the presence is distinguished:
- throbbing, squeezing pain in the forehead and temples;
- heaviness in the head;
- increased pain when tilting the head;
- edema and hyperemia in the paranasal sinuses;
- purulent rhinitis;
- full or partial nasal congestion.
If a person hasthe nasal septum is curved, this can serve as an aggravation of the condition. Common features include:
- slight rise in temperature;
- fatigue;
- joint pain;
- drowsy.
Some patients complain that the nose breathes, but the frontal sinus hurts. Other signs may also appear. In any case, it is necessary to treat the disease, because only then will the improvement be noticeable.
Diagnosis
If the right frontal sinus or the left one hurts, you need to see a doctor for a diagnosis. If there is a suspicion of frontitis, then the following diagnostic measures are carried out:
- Visual inspection. An experienced doctor can then determine the presence of frontal sinusitis. Usually, this disease causes swelling of the face, redness of the skin.
- Percussion. Palpation and tapping of the sinus site are considered informative diagnostic methods. The patient complains of no pain when touched and tapped.
- Other diagnostic methods. Before prescribing treatment, the doctor performs additional diagnostic measures to assess the level of inflammation and the exact location of the lesion.
The most informative methods include doing:
- frontal x-ray of the paranasal sinuses;
- bakposeva;
- rhinoscopy – examination;
- magnetic resonance computed tomography.
If frontal sinuses hurt, what should I do? Therapy uses drugs andsurgical methods of treatment. Particular attention should be paid to traditional medicine, which, with traditional treatment, will eliminate pain in the frontal sinuses. But traditional medicine can only be used after consulting a doctor.
Medicines
When the frontal sinus hurts, how to treat? Medications may be used:
- Antibacterial medicines selected based on the results of bacterial culture: Augmentin, Sumamed, Azithromycin.
- Means to reduce the production of mucus in the nose: "Nazol", "Evkazolin", "Sinupret". Vasoconstrictor drugs should be used according to the instructions. The duration of treatment is usually no more than 5-7 days.
- Preparations that strengthen the walls of blood vessels: Ascorutin, vitamin C.
- Physiotherapy (if there is no high body temperature) to perform heating of the sinuses, liquefaction and removal of secretion.
- Sinus catheter "Yamik" to clear the sinuses and flush with anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Antipyretics: Paracetamol, Ibuprofen.
- Antihistamines: Suprastin, Loratadin, Zodak.
When there is frontal sinus pain and no snot, the doctor should prescribe medication based on the patient's condition. Before using any drug, you must read the instructions.
Surgery
If the frontal sinuses hurt, what to do in difficult cases? As prescribed by the doctor, surgical methods can be prescribed:
- Trepanopuncture. The method in the form of punctures is used in difficult cases of the disease, when viscousthe secret cannot itself be separated from the sinus cavity, and conventional treatment does not help (headache and high fever remain for more than 3 days). Usually the puncture is performed in a hospital using local anesthesia. The patient needs to stay in bed until recovery. Trepanopuncture is an effective method for removing pus and washing the frontal sinuses.
- Endoscopic endonasal intervention. This method of surgical treatment is used when acute rhinitis does not disappear for more than 3-4 weeks, as well as pain and congestion of the frontal sinuses. In this case, the treatment will expand the natural anastomosis of the fronto-nasal canal.
Antibiotics
Severe inflammation from the infection leads to a large amount of pus. Only strong broad-spectrum antibiotics can eliminate it. Only before such treatment is it preferable to test for the susceptibility of the infection to the action of drugs. This will determine the group of bacteria that caused the inflammation, as well as select an effective antibiotic.
Testing needs more time, 3-7 days. Often, broad-spectrum antibiotics are used without analysis, which can act simultaneously on several types of bacteria. Such drugs are strong medicines, so they allow you to eliminate unpleasant symptoms in a short time.
Traditional medicine
If the frontal sinuses hurt with a runny nose, folk remedies are effective. It helps to wash the nose. This procedureliquefies a viscous secret, reduces discomfort related to difficulty breathing and lack of oxygen. Used for flushing:
- Sea s alt solution. This product contains substances that have a disinfectant and analgesic effect. S alt reduces swelling, softens purulent crusts.
- Non-carbonated alkaline mineral water ("Borjomi"). This remedy includes soda, which has an emollient property and reduces irritation of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx. Alkaline solution reduces the amount of viscous secretion, improves nasal breathing.
- Decoctions of medicinal herbs, for example, chamomile, sage. These solutions relieve inflammation of the mucosa, improve the discharge of a viscous secret from the frontal sinuses. One tablespoon of raw materials is poured into a glass of water. After bringing to a boil, the product should be infused, and then it can be used for washing.
Perform procedures with warm (36-37 degrees) freshly prepared solutions. Then therapeutic measures will be effective and safe. Often, patients complain that the frontal sinuses hurt without a runny nose. In this case, the doctor can also choose the most effective method of treatment. Before using traditional medicine, you should consult a doctor.
Consequences
If the treatment is wrong, serious complications are likely. Inflammation of the frontal sinuses is considered a dangerous phenomenon, since the focus of infection is located from vital organs. And since the bones of the facial part of the skull are porous andinclude many sinuses and cavities, getting pus into them leads to negative consequences and the spread of infection to the ears, eyes, and oral cavity.
The most dangerous complication of frontitis is the appearance of meningitis, inflammation of the meninges. Its development is rapid and can cause disability and death. When the infection enters the bloodstream, another deadly threat appears - sepsis. If frontitis is not cured in a timely manner and completely, then it can become chronic.
To avoid discomfort due to inflammation of the frontal sinuses, you need to monitor your he alth and strengthen your immune system. To do this, you need to play sports, harden, prevent overheating, hypothermia, eat right, choosing more plant foods. Thanks to such measures, the body will be protected not only from pain in the frontal sinuses, but also from many other diseases.
Prevention
As you know, any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Therefore, to reduce the risk of frontitis, prevention should be done:
- Timely treat a runny nose, prevent prolonged rhinitis. If this ailment does not disappear within 3-5 days, you should consult a specialist to establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
- Eat foods with vitamins: fresh vegetables, fruits. In autumn, winter, you need to take vitamin complexes ("Gexavit", "Vitrum") and medicines for the prevention of viral infections ("Anaferon", "Arbidol", "Rimantadine").
- Temper the body to strengthen immunity.
- Moisturizenasal mucosa ("Aquamaris", "Saline"), protecting it from drying out and reducing the risk of infection.
An important preventive measure is the observance of the rules of personal hygiene. It consists in regularly washing the nose. Timely detection of the disease allows medical examinations. When a headache occurs, when rhinitis and inflammation of the frontal sinuses are observed, immediate treatment is needed, as this is dangerous for the occurrence of serious complications.
