Frontitis: causes, symptoms and treatment. The insidious disease frontitis Frontitis treatment in adults

What is frontitis? This is a pathological process accompanied by an inflammatory process in the frontal paranasal sinus. The formation of inflammation occurs in the mucous membrane, which is located in the frontal sinus. This disease has another name – frontal sinusitis. Of all types of sinusitis, frontal sinusitis has the most severe form.

Reasons for formation

Often acute frontal sinusitis occurs as a result of damage to the body by a viral, fungal or bacterial infection. It happens that the disease is a complication of influenza, scarlet fever, and diphtheria. Frontal sinusitis can also develop after a nasal injury. There are the most common causes of the formation of this pathology:

Prolonged rhinitis of an infectious or allergic nature.
Congenital or acquired curvature of the nasal septum.
A source of infection formed due to infection with staphylococci, streptococci and other bacteria.
An allergic reaction – bronchial asthma and vasomotor rhinitis contribute to the formation of edema of the mucous membrane. The result of this process is the closure of the hole, which facilitates the entry of fluid from the frontal sinus.
Nasal polyps.
Foreign bodies.

If such circumstances occur, then the inflammatory process in the frontal sinuses can take a chronic form, which is very difficult to treat.

How does frontal sinusitis manifest in adults?

This disease is diagnosed very often in adults. In 90% of cases, acute frontal sinusitis is combined with damage to the maxillary sinuses or cells of the ethmoid labyrinth. For this reason, the disease is very difficult to develop. Symptoms of frontal sinusitis vary depending on the form of the pathology.

Signs of acute illness

Acute frontal sinusitis in adults is accompanied by the following manifestations:

Excruciating pain in the head, arising due to the concentration of pus in the damaged sinuses. The patient manages to alleviate his condition if he takes a horizontal position. The reason is that the accumulated liquid is evenly distributed in the cavity.
In the area of the bridge of the nose, patients complain of unpleasant sensations of a bursting nature. They increase throughout the day. Initially, the pain syndrome is localized, but its focus “dissipates” over time. Therefore, patients often experience pain when bending their head forward or turning it.
A feeling of strong pressure and tension in the area of the frontal sinus affected by inflammation. If the case is advanced, then pain begins to occur in the occipital and temporo-occipital region of the head.
Discharge from the nasal passages that has an unpleasant odor. As a rule, they are mucous and transparent, but may contain particles of pus. Most often, their release occurs in a vertical position. If there is complete nasal congestion, then such symptoms of sinusitis are absent, because the outflow of sinus contents is difficult.
A sharp rise in temperature to 39 degrees.
Cough that bothers the patient at night.
Fatigue, loss of strength.
Apathy, poor sleep and appetite.

In adults, allergic frontal sinusitis is often diagnosed. Its manifestations are similar to those of acute frontal sinusitis. Before you begin to eliminate the signs of the inflammatory process, you need to stop the real cause of the disease.

Signs of a chronic form of the disease

Symptoms of frontal sinusitis in a chronic course arise due to poor cleansing of the frontal sinuses in the acute form of the disease. Very often, chronic sinusitis contributes to the formation of inflammation in the remaining paranasal sinuses.

The most common manifestation of the disease is a runny nose, which is difficult to eliminate by any means. The secreted liquid is purulent in nature and has a repulsive odor. The chronic form of the disease is accompanied by damage to only one sinus, in which pus is concentrated. Very often, the pressure of pathogenic contents is the cause of the formation of deformation processes in the nasal cavity. The following symptoms of chronic frontal sinusitis are distinguished:

decreased sense of smell, sometimes the patient cannot recognize odors at all;
conjunctivitis;
in the morning, the eyelids are slightly swollen, which indicates the spread of inflammation to the walls of the eye sockets;
persistent cough, which cannot be stopped with any antitussives or expectorants;
severe weakness that prevents you from performing normal household chores;
With chronic frontal sinusitis, polyps and neoplasms grow in the nasal cavity, which cause breathing problems.

Diagnosing the chronic form of the disease is much more difficult than acute frontal sinusitis. The doctor will be able to make a diagnosis only after he is provided with the following data: external manifestations, patient complaints, test results and x-rays.

Manifestation of frontal sinusitis in young patients

Making a timely diagnosis for young children is very problematic, since they cannot accurately determine the place where the pain is localized. In most cases, the inflammatory process in children is formed due to a common runny nose. In this case, bilateral lesions are often diagnosed, which poses a particular danger for young patients. The following symptoms of acute frontal sinusitis in children are distinguished:

irritability;
temperature rise;
poor appetite;
poor sleep;
general malaise, lethargy, weakness;
absent-minded attention;
inability to breathe through the nose.

All presented manifestations of the disease are similar to the symptoms of a common cold. For this reason, it is important to recognize frontal sinusitis in time to avoid serious consequences.

The basic manifestations of inflammation of the frontal sinuses include the following:

headaches that become unbearable when the position of the head changes;
pain in the area of the frontal sinuses, which can be determined by light pressure with the pads of the fingers on the skin in the superciliary part of the face;
swelling and pale skin of the face;
dry mouth;
purulent discharge from the nasal passages with an unpleasant odor;
nasal voice;
nasal and ear congestion;
cough in the morning;
Tears constantly appear from the eyes, and in rare cases conjunctivitis develops.

A characteristic feature of the disease in young patients is the possibility of a hidden course. Often, excessive prescription of drugs for ordinary rhinitis eliminates many of the symptoms of the inflammatory process, but the disease itself does not disappear. The result of this process is chronic frontal sinusitis, which contributes to the formation of inflammation in the middle ear area.

Diagnostic methods

The most important symptoms for diagnosis are the symptoms that occur in the patient. In addition, the doctor performs an examination of the nose. As a result of such manipulations, he may detect swelling, thickening and redness in the area of the nasal turbinates. If the disease is chronic, polyps can be identified. To clarify the diagnosis, the following research methods are used:

X-ray of the sinuses;
sinus probing;
video endoscopy;
ultrasound examination of the paranasal sinuses;
MRI or CT scan of the sinuses;
blood tests and nasal cultures.

Therapy

How to treat frontal sinusitis? If it occurs in an acute form, then therapy should include conservative methods, and it is carried out in an ENT hospital. In order to reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa and normalize the outflow of pathological contents of the frontal sinus, treatment of frontal sinusitis includes the use of the following vasoconstrictor drops. They are used 3-4 times, 2-3 drops in each nasal passage. After drops, treatment of frontal sinusitis may include irrigation of the nasal cavity with the following compositions:

Bioparox;
Kameton;
Ambassador

In the acute form of the disease, the doctor prescribes antibiotics; the course of treatment is 7–10 days. The choice of a particular medication is based on its tolerability by the patient and the severity of the disease. In most cases, treatment of frontal sinusitis includes the following antibiotics:

Augmentin;
Flemoxin
Solutab;
Sumamed;
Sporidex;
Rovamycin;
Ampiox;
Duracef;
Cefazolin.

In combination with antibiotics, treatment of frontal sinusitis involves taking antihistamines. They are taken 1 tablet 2-3 times a day. The course of therapy is 7–10 days. The action of the presented medications is aimed at eliminating swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity.

Surgical treatment of frontal sinusitis involves removal of the frontal sinus. It should be carried out in case of ineffectiveness of conservative therapy or when pus is diagnosed in the sinus, severe pain syndrome.

ethnoscience

Treatment of frontal sinusitis with folk remedies can be effectively used in combination with basic therapy. Today there are many recipes for alternative treatment, so let’s look at the most effective ones.

Application of radish

To treat frontal sinusitis with folk remedies, you need to prepare black radish juice, which you then use as drops. In each nasal passage, 2-3 drops 6-7 times a day.

For folk remedies therapy, you need to stock up on the following herbs:

chamomile flowers – 10 g;
St. John's wort – 15 g;
marsh cudweed – 10 g.

To prepare, you need to mix the presented herbs and pour 450 ml of boiling water. Wait half an hour for the broth to infuse. Strain the remedy and treat frontal sinusitis with these folk remedies by instilling 7 drops into each nasal passage. Treatment of frontal sinusitis with the presented folk remedies can be carried out by inhalation. To do this, you need to boil the infusion for 3 minutes and inhale the vapors. It is necessary to perform inhalations with folk remedies once a day, the general course is 14 days.

Treatment of frontal sinusitis with folk remedies involves the use of inhalations. To prepare, you need to take potatoes boiled in their jackets, crush them, put them in a container and add the water in which they were boiled. He will bow his head and breathe in the vapors under the towel. Perform this treatment with folk remedies every other day for 14 days.

Another recipe for inhalation with folk remedies involves using 2 glasses of water and 17 bay leaves. You need to pour water into the pan and add bay leaves. Place the container on the stove to boil. Afterwards, tilt your head over the pan, cover with a towel and breathe. The duration of such treatment with folk remedies is 5–7 minutes.

Is everything in the article correct from a medical point of view?

Answer only if you have proven medical knowledge

If a person has obvious symptoms of frontal sinusitis, then treatment should begin immediately. In some cases, conservative treatment, including systemic and local drugs, is quite sufficient. Sometimes conservative treatment cannot help, so surgical help is required.

The main symptoms of frontal sinusitis

Frontal sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinus. The reasons for the development of frontal sinusitis are the same as in the case of inflammation of the maxillary sinuses. But the symptoms of the disease will often appear more acute: pressure and pain in the area of the frontal sinuses, which are located behind the eyes, swelling and inflammation of the nasal passages, which causes the accumulation of mucus in the nasal cavity, thereby causing the impossibility of nasal breathing.

If the disease is not treated promptly and adequately, a complication of meningitis may develop - a disease when the meninges covering the brain become inflamed. In other words, frontal sinusitis and its symptoms can contribute to the occurrence of a condition that threatens the patient’s life.

The most common symptom of sinusitis is pain and swelling around the nose and eyes. The pain usually gets worse when the patient bends forward. In addition, pain also increases during sleep. This is the main difference between the symptoms of frontal sinusitis and the symptoms of sinusitis, because with sinusitis the pain will subside when the person lies down. Despite numerous studies, the reason for the dependence of pain on the patient’s body position has not yet been clarified.

Difficulty breathing is also a symptom of frontal sinusitis. This is largely due to blockage and inflammation of the nasal passages. In addition, a patient with sinusitis develops a runny nose, accompanied by the discharge of thick green or yellow mucus.

Other symptoms of frontal sinusitis include ear pain, fever, which increases at night, toothache (in the upper jaw), and cough. With frontal sinusitis, in especially severe cases, the patient experiences a decrease in the senses of smell and taste, bad breath and a sore throat.

Drug treatment of sinusitis

Medications for sinusitis are designed to eliminate infection in the sinuses and fight inflammation. Medicines reduce swelling, improve ventilation of the sinuses, as well as the drainage of purulent contents from them. As a rule, the acute form of sinusitis responds well to drug treatment. Treatment of chronic frontal sinusitis is, in principle, carried out in the same way.

Antibacterial drugs for frontal sinusitis

For frontal sinuses, antibiotics can be used internally or locally (into the sinus and nasal cavity). But before this, the doctor needs to make sure that the infection is bacterial in nature, because antibiotics are not able to destroy viruses.

When using antibiotics in the event of a viral infection, the body will become accustomed to the group of drugs, which, in turn, provokes symptoms of dysbiosis and allergies.

Before prescribing an antibiotic for frontal sinusitis, it is best to find out about the sensitivity of the bacteria that caused the inflammation to it. Such examination is carried out exclusively in a bacteriological laboratory.

After a bacteriological examination, it will be clear exactly what antibiotics need to be taken for frontal sinusitis.

Systemic antibiotics for sinusitis

If it is not possible to conduct a bacteriological study, then treatment of frontal sinusitis is carried out with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Such drugs will have a negative effect on all microorganisms, so the causative agent of the disease will most likely fall within the spectrum of action of the drug.

When frontal sinusitis develops, antibiotic treatment must begin with a group of macrolides, penicillins and cephalosporins.

According to statistics, frontal sinusitis most often occurs due to the penetration of Haemophilus influenzae or pneumococci. These bacteria are sensitive to cephalosporin and penicillin antibiotics.

If treatment with antibiotics is not carried out, complications will most likely arise.

When treating at home, preference should be given to antibiotics presented in tablet form. For small children or in cases of difficulty swallowing, dissolvable tablets and suspension are suitable.

Penicillin antibiotics for sinusitis

Semi-synthetic and synthetic amoxicillin preparations are used to treat frontal sinusitis. For maximum effectiveness, the drugs include some additional substances that will protect the antibiotic from destruction by bacterial enzymes.

Otolaryngologists usually prescribe Augmentin, Amoxiclav, Amoxicillin, Flemoxin Solutab, Ampisid. The dosage of the antibiotic should be calculated by a doctor.

Cephalosporin antibiotics for frontal sinusitis

To treat frontal sinusitis, cephalosporin antibiotics can also be used, which are a fully equivalent alternative to penicillin drugs.

The similarity of the effects of cephalosporin and penicillin drugs is explained by the similar structure of their molecules.

Cephalosporins are also often destroyed by bacterial enzymes, so for frontal sinusitis it is best to choose the second or third generation drug: Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, Cefuroxime Axetil, Cefaclor. In pharmacies, these drugs are presented under various trade names. Almost all antibiotics are produced in the form of injections, so they are excellent for complications or severe frontal sinusitis.

Drug treatment of the disease with the use of cephalosporin antibiotics very often negatively affects the intestinal microflora. The use of these drugs may cause bacteriosis.

Macrolide antibiotics for frontal sinusitis

Macrolide drugs should be chosen if the patient is intolerant to cephalosporin or penicillin antibiotics, as well as when they are ineffective. Macrolides are represented by the following drugs: Azithromycin, Sumamed, Macropen, Spiramycin, Roxithromycin. They have virtually no effect on the intestinal microflora.

The advantage of this group is the provision of anti-inflammatory effects and the possibility of influencing intracellular bacteria.

Local antibiotics for sinusitis

Topical antibiotics can be delivered to the nasal cavity in several ways:

Drops;
Nasal spray;
Tampons that are impregnated with the drug;
Aerosol.

Aerosol Bioparox with the antibiotic fusafungin will have an additional anti-inflammatory effect.

Isofra spray and nasal drops are developed on the basis of an aminoglycoside antibiotic. Acting locally, the drug will not cause toxic damage to the ears and kidneys.

Polydex spray with phenylephrine includes two antibiotics: dexamethasone and the vasoconstrictor phenylephrine. The combination of polymyxin and neomycin covers the possible spectrum of pathogenic bacteria. Phenylephrine will reduce the volume of nasal discharge, and dexamethasone will have an anti-inflammatory and decongestant effect on the sinuses and mucous membrane.

Tampons with levomekol, in addition to the antibacterial effect, will promote the outflow of purulent mucus from the frontal sinuses due to the hydrophilic base of the drug.

Homeopathic remedies for frontal sinusitis

Homeopathic medicines have been used for a long time to treat sinusitis. These medications can help with both the acute form of the disease and its exacerbation.

To treat frontal sinusitis, homeopathy can be used at any stage of the disease. The following drugs are offered for this:

Sinuforte;
Engystol;
Lymphomyazot;
Traumeel;
Echinacea compositum.

The most popular and well-known drug is Sinuforte. The product is made from the roots of cyclamen. Saponins, which are contained in the drug, cause general and local reactions of the body, have an anti-edematous, immunomodulatory and antibacterial effect.

To treat frontal sinusitis, Sinuforte is administered into the nose using a spray once a day, sprayed into each nostril. Before using the drug, you need to clean the mucous membrane with sea water-based products and blow your nose thoroughly.

The duration of the course of the drug for frontal sinusitis is 6-8 days in case of daily use. A treatment regimen is also provided when the drug is injected every other day. If the disease is not purulent in nature, then with the help of Sinuforte, treatment of frontal sinusitis is carried out without the use of antibiotics or punctures, so the patient will be able to avoid many unpleasant moments.

Symptomatic remedies for frontal sinusitis

Symptomatic medications affect different components of the development of the disease. They will eliminate unpleasant symptoms and make the patient feel better without affecting the causative bacteria.

Vasoconstrictors for frontal sinusitis

Vasoconstrictor drugs will eliminate swelling of the mucous membrane and nasal turbinates, restoring communication between the nasal cavity and the frontal sinuses. The drugs relieve nasal congestion and difficulty breathing through the nose. Examples of drugs:

Naphthyzin;
Nazivin;
Vibrocil;
Galazolin.

These topical medications come in the form of a spray or drops. They can be used for no more than 5 days.

Antipyretics for frontal sinusitis

Antipyretic medications should be taken if the body temperature rises to 38.5 degrees. Many drugs will also have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. If the temperature is below 38.5 degrees, it is recommended to take such drugs in case of pronounced disturbances in health (chills, weakness, headache).

The temperature, as a rule, is most often reduced with drugs based on paracetamol (Efferalgan, Tylenol, Panadol) or ibuprofen (Nurofen, Ibufen). These drugs should not be used as antipyretics for longer than three days without a doctor’s recommendation.

Anti-inflammatory drugs for frontal sinusitis

Anti-inflammatory drugs are designed to complement the treatment regimen for frontal sinusitis. For example, the substance fenspiride will reduce the development of biologically active substances that are responsible for inflammation. In addition, it will also improve the discharge of mucus from the sinuses of the forehead.

There are forms of anti-inflammatory drugs for topical use. These are drugs based on glucocorticoids (Flixonase, Nasonex). Proposol based on propolis and Protargol based on silver help very well.

Other types of treatment for frontal sinusitis

Often, to treat sinusitis, only medications are not enough, and in this case, doctors resort to other means: inhalation, sinus rinsing, sinus puncture, surgery.

Puncture and surgical treatment of frontal sinusitis

A puncture or trephine puncture can ensure a high-quality outflow of pus through a hole made in the frontal bone to the frontal sinus. A puncture is done if there is a complication in a severe form of frontal sinusitis.

The sinus must be washed through the opening with antiseptics twice a day. In addition to its therapeutic value, the puncture has a diagnostic effect, because it can be used to assess the nature and amount of sinus contents.

Surgical treatment methods include surgery on the frontal sinus, performed through an external approach or through the nasal cavity using an endoscope.

The surgeon opens the frontal sinus, cleans it of pus and ensures normal communication with the nasal cavity. It is customary to resort to this method of treatment in case of severe frontal sinusitis or systematic relapses.

Inhalations for frontal sinusitis

1 Boil the potatoes in their skins, drain the water. We mash the potatoes and breathe the steam over the pan. For maximum effect, cover your head with a towel.

2 Brew chamomile flowers, add eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil (a few drops) to the decoction. We breathe steam.

3 Bring 1.5 liters of water to a boil, throw in a dozen bay leaves. Turn the heat to low and breathe steam over the pan for 5 minutes.

4 Grind 4 cloves of garlic, add half a glass of apple cider vinegar, half a glass of boiling water. We breathe over the solution 3 times a day for 15 minutes, covered with a towel. Add hot water when cooling.

5 Boil water in a saucepan and add a little “Star” balm or dry menthol to it. Remove from heat and breathe in the steam for 5 minutes, cover your head with a towel.

Solutions for rinsing the nose for sinusitis

1 Nasal rinsing is required for any form of frontal sinusitis. In order for the rinsing to be as effective as possible, before the procedure you need to clear your nose and drip vasoconstrictor drops (Noxprey, Farmazolin, Naphthyzin). This helps open the lumen into the paranasal sinuses. After which you need to lean over the sink, keeping your head straight.

Using a special bottle or rubber bulb, the liquid must be poured under pressure into one nostril. The rinse solution along with the secretions should flow out of the other nostril. After the procedure there is usually relief.

2 Grind one onion in a blender or on a grater, pour a glass of boiling water. When everything has cooled down, add a spoonful of honey to the mixture. You need to rinse your nose with this composition 3-4 times a day. The product will help eliminate bacteria, relieve inflammation and improve local immunity. Not suitable for allergic frontal sinusitis.

3 In a glass of cooled boiled water, dissolve a spoonful of salt, a few drops of tea tree oil, and a pinch of salt. For washing, use the product 3-4 times a day. The composition will disinfect the nasal cavity and have a strong anti-inflammatory and antiviral effect.

4 A decoction can be prepared from chamomile flowers. It is an effective antimicrobial and antiseptic agent. Strain, cool and use for rinsing every 2-3 hours.

5 Dissolve a spoonful of alcoholic chlorophyllipt solution in 0.5 liters of chilled boiled water. The solution has an antibacterial effect and can fight even those bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. The solution is used for washing 3-4 times a day.

6 Effective rinsing can be done using a saline solution. It can be made independently (a spoonful of salt per liter of water) or purchased at a pharmacy. The product helps cleanse the nasal cavity of allergens, germs, mucus without irritating the mucous membrane.

7 Nasal rinsing using the “Cuckoo” method can help in mild forms of sinusitis, so it is used even for children. The patient should lie on his back and say “ku-ku-ku” so that the solution cannot enter the nasopharynx. The medicine is poured into one half of the nose, after which it is sucked out from the other.

8 In moderate and severe forms of frontal sinusitis, the frontal sinuses need to be washed using a special YAMIK catheter placed in the sinus. This occurs due to the difference in pressure in the nasal cavity and sinuses.

At home, it is convenient and easy to use the Dolphin method for washing.

When choosing the right and appropriate medicine, frontal sinusitis can be cured fairly quickly. Therapy should almost never be carried out with only one drug. Only a qualified otolaryngologist can select the correct combination of treatment methods.

Complications of frontal sinusitis

Complications of acute sinusitis include chronicity of the process, which, in turn, leads to systematic exacerbations, a feeling of heaviness in the head, and rapid fatigue. An advanced disease will lead to degeneration of the mucous membrane, which will become non-functional, because the protective properties will hardly work. Also, as the condition worsens, neurological syndromes (facial and headaches), ear diseases, and purulent intracranial complications often develop. Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor in a timely manner for adequate treatment.

Prevention of frontal sinusitis

Prevention of frontal sinusitis and other sinusitis is similar to that carried out for diseases of the upper respiratory tract. It is necessary to avoid hypothermia, engage in sports and hardening. The disease must be fought in the early stages and the state of the immune system monitored. If you have a runny nose, you need to take medications that can reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa.

Frontitis is an acute inflammation of the frontal sinuses, which are located between the eyebrows slightly above the bridge of the nose. The disease is more common in adults than in children, and its treatment causes some difficulties due to difficult access to the sinuses.

Why does it appear

The cause of inflammation is a bacterial infection that enters the sinus either from the nasal passages or through the blood. As a result, the mucous membrane becomes inflamed and swells. Due to the proximity of the anatomical location, infection with frontal sinusitis almost always penetrates the ethmoid sinus, causing the disease polysinusitis.

Frontitis develops after a cold, hypothermia or swimming and diving. The complexity of the disease lies in the fact that the frontal sinus communicates with the nose not through an opening, but through a channel 1.5–2.5 cm long, which prevents the outflow of mucus from it and promotes inflammation.

Symptoms

The disease is severe. Main symptoms:

Headache of a constant nature, diffuse;
Difficulty in nasal breathing;
Purulent discharge from the nasal passages may flow from one side;
Impaired perception of smells;
Pain in the sinus area - the space between the eyebrows, intensifies when the head is tilted forward. In severe cases, there may be a swollen forehead and upper eyelids;
High temperature, symptoms of intoxication, temperature can be high only in the first 2 days of illness;
Tears from the eyes, photophobia, discomfort in bright light, when watching TV in a dark room;
Palpation in the projection of the sinus is painful, especially from the side of the eye.

Acute inflammation that lasts more than one month is considered chronic. Chronic frontal sinusitis occurs when an acute process is not treated, if during treatment the patient is not restored to the patency of the canal connecting the sinus with the nasal passage.

Predisposing factors to chronicity of the process are: hypertrophy of the middle turbinate, deviated septum, obstruction of the osteomeotal complex, polypous maxillary ethmoiditis.

With chronic frontal sinusitis, fatigue and prolonged low temperature come to the fore. The headache is not severe, but constant, more disturbing in the morning, occurs with lacrimation, intensifies when moving the eyes, when tilting the head forward.

Sinus pain occurs due to obstruction of the frontonasal canal and is caused by irritation of the trigeminal nerve.

Diagnostics

Rhinoscopy reveals red mucous membrane, swelling of the anterior edge of the middle nasal passage, from where pus comes out. It flows more strongly if the nasal cavity is anesthetized with an anemic solution.

A general blood test reveals leukocytosis, a shift of the formula to the left and an increased ESR.

On an x-ray in the projection of the frontal sinuses, a homogeneous darkening is visualized on one or both sides.

A characteristic symptom of frontal sinusitis is pain in the sinus when palpating the inner corner of the eyes.

Computed tomography and ultrasound of the sinuses are prescribed in severe cases of the disease to decide whether surgical intervention is necessary.

How to treat frontal sinusitis

The primary main goal of treatment is to restore the patency of the nasofrontal canal. Therefore, it is possible to treat mild or moderate frontal sinusitis at home.

Step 1

To restore communication between the nose and sinuses, vasoconstrictor sprays into the nose are mandatory. For this purpose, you can use Galazolin, Xylin, Nazol, Nazivin, Naphthyzin. Vibrocil is used for allergic inflammation. To eliminate swelling of the mucous membrane, Pipolfen and Suprastin are prescribed.

Before using vasoconstrictors and throughout the day, the nose should be rinsed with saline solution and cleared of secretions. A saline solution can be prepared at home by diluting a teaspoon of salt in a liter of water. The solution can also be bought at the pharmacy: Humer, Aqualor, Quix, Salin.

Step 2

Since pus flows out better with local anemia, i.e. anesthesia, it is recommended to lubricate the nasal mucosa under the middle turbinate with anemia agents: Adrenaline, Ephedrine, Galazolin, Naphthyzin. The same drugs in the form of drops should be dripped into the nose 4-5 times a day.

Step 3

To alleviate the symptoms of intoxication, reduce high fever and relieve headaches, you can take Ibufen and Paracetamol.

Step 4

The most important point for relieving inflammation and destroying the causative factor, i.e. bacteria is the prescription of antibiotics. Only antibiotics will help quickly eliminate the symptoms of frontal sinusitis, improve the patient’s condition and the prognosis of the disease.

Treatment of frontal sinusitis should begin correctly with amoxicillin antibiotics (drugs Amaxiclav, Augmentin, Amoxicar). If they are ineffective, Cephalexin and Cefaclor are prescribed. If these antibiotics are intolerant or if they are ineffective, stronger antibiotics are prescribed - Azithromycin, Sumamed.

If one antibiotic does not help within 3 days, we can talk about ineffectiveness and the need to replace it with another.

For symptoms of acute frontal sinusitis, antibiotics should also be prescribed into the nose. For this, Isofra spray, Polydex combination spray, and gentamicin ointment are used. We do not recommend using Bioparox. In the countries of the European Union, this drug was abandoned for three reasons: the drug, if effective, is only effective against a few types of bacteria; can cause severe allergic complications; the clinical effectiveness of the drug has not been proven.

Step 5

Many people use wonderful homeopathic medicines to treat sinusitis - Sinupret, Sinuforte, Cinnabsid. Symptoms of the disease go away within a few days. These drugs are available, harmless, and convenient for use at home.

Do not try to cure frontal sinusitis at home during pregnancy. Even a mild form of the disease should be treated by a doctor to avoid complications and deterioration. Pregnant women are prohibited from taking medications; it is not always possible to use folk remedies. Only a doctor can choose the right treatment that poses minimal threat to the baby.

Traditional methods

In the absence of intoxication and high temperature, the nose can be warmed with soft dry heat. To do this, use a boiled egg, jacket potatoes, coarse salt in a bag, and salt warmers. The duration of warming up is up to 10 days.

At home, steam inhalation is considered an excellent treatment method. To do this, brew 5 bay leaves in a liter of water and make a decoction of chamomile or calendula. You can breathe over the steam for 10 minutes. Steam inhalations are allowed until recovery.

To relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa and improve nasal breathing, you can instill the juices of medicinal plants into the nose. The juice of Kalanchoe, golden mustache, radish, and celandine has proven itself best. Before use, it must be diluted by half with chamomile decoction or honey. Drop 3 times a day into a cleansed and rinsed nose.

During the period of illness, drink more fluids, eat vitamins, pay attention to echinacea tincture, include more vegetables and fruits in your diet, cranberry juice, rose hip and raspberry branches decoction. Only an integrated approach to treatment, including medications and folk remedies, will ease the course of the disease and speed up recovery.

Treatment of frontal sinusitis should be treated with caution, especially if you carry it out at home. Treat the disease responsibly, strictly following your doctor’s recommendations and following the instructions of your medications.

More often, the disease ends happily, but we should not forget that pus from the frontal sinus can easily pass into the orbit, skull, melt the frontal bone, and become the cause of a dangerous infectious complication of sepsis.

With frontal sinusitis, the paranasal sinus becomes inflamed. The disease can be caused by hypothermia, low immunity or a runny nose. If frontal sinusitis manifests itself, treatment at home must be started immediately, otherwise complications may arise, including meningitis.

Symptoms of sinusitis

Frontal sinusitis has similar symptoms to sinusitis, but they manifest themselves more acutely. If a person experiences frontal sinusitis, he will experience:

pain when pressing on the area of the frontal sinuses;
mucous or purulent discharge from the nose;
headache, worse at night;
unpleasant odor from the nose or mouth, especially in the morning;
worsening headache when tilting the head;
labored breathing;
increase in body temperature.

Note! You may also experience ear pain or toothache localized in the upper jaw.

Frontitis - causes of the disease and prevention

The main cause of the disease is infection, which can be of viral, fungal or viral origin. Also the cause may be a mechanical bruise of the frontal bone, chronic runny nose.

For preventive purposes, it is necessary to carry out a set of measures to strengthen the immune system, the protective properties of the body, carry out complex treatment of viral diseases in a timely manner and prevent the occurrence of chronic frontal sinusitis.

How to treat frontal sinusitis at home

Treatment of frontal sinusitis can be carried out using several methods: medications and folk remedies. We will tell you how to treat frontal sinusitis at home quickly in order to forget about the problem forever.

Treatment of frontal sinusitis with medications is aimed at relieving symptoms, as well as eliminating the cause. Drug treatment is prescribed by a doctor after a series of laboratory tests.

Antibiotics

If conservative treatment, including rinsing and instillation, does not produce results within a few days, then the doctor prescribes antibiotic treatment. They can destroy the bacteria that caused the disease. But if the cause of the disease is viruses, then antibiotics will not give any result.

Before prescribing an antibiotic, a bacteriological study is carried out. If it is not possible to conduct research, then broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed. These may be antibiotics:

penicillins (Augmentin, Amoxicillin, Ampisid);
cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone, Axetil, Cefataxime);
macrolides (Macropen, Azithromycin, Spiramycin);
local (Bioparox, Polydex, Isofra).

For adults, drugs are often prescribed in the form of injections, and for children - in tablets or suspensions. The course of treatment is usually 5 days.

Topical antibiotics may come in the form of drops, spray, aerosol, or liquid to soak cotton swabs. This type of medication not only destroys bacteria, but also makes breathing easier, relieves swelling of the nostrils and improves general condition.

Homeopathic medicines

Homeopathic medicines are often used to treat sinusitis, including frontal sinusitis. Particularly popular are:

Sinuforte.
Traumeel.
Echinacia compositum.
Lymphomyazot.

Symptomatic remedies

When treating frontal sinusitis, the doctor prescribes medications that will help alleviate the patient’s condition and relieve symptoms. But it is worth remembering that the effect of drugs is aimed only at improving the condition. They do not eliminate the cause of the disease.

Vasoconstrictor drops

Vasoconstrictor drugs can relieve swelling and reduce the amount of mucus produced. Thanks to this, breathing is simplified and the connection between the nasal cavity and frontal sinuses is restored. For this purpose, nasal drops such as Naphthyzin, Galazolin, Nazivin, Farmazolin, and so on can be used.

Note! You can use medications for no more than 5 days.

Antipyretic medications

Medicines to reduce fever are used if the temperature exceeds 38.5°. The most commonly used drugs are ibuprofen or paracetamol.

Note! Antipyretics are used to relieve headaches, weakness or chills.

Folk remedies will help get rid of frontal sinusitis

Folk remedies are effectively used to treat frontal sinusitis. But first, inform your doctor so as not to aggravate the condition with self-medication.

Inhalations

It is easy to prepare inhalations at home. They are simple and effective in treating frontal sinusitis.

Potato

Boil the washed potatoes without peeling the skins.
Then drain the water and mash it with a masher.
Breathe in the steam, covered with a terry towel.

Bay leaf

Add a dozen bay leaves to a saucepan of water (1.5 liters). Let it boil well, then breathe in the steam for 5 minutes.

Garlic and apple cider vinegar

Finely chop 4 peeled garlic cloves. Mix garlic with apple cider vinegar (0.5 cup) and pour the same amount of boiling water over everything. You need to breathe steam. During inhalation, you can add hot water. The procedure should be done three times a day.

Chamomile

Pour water into the pan.
Add dry chamomile. Let it boil.
Then add a couple of drops of tea tree or eucalyptus essential oil to the chamomile infusion.
Breathe the steam.

Menthol

Boil water in a saucepan. Add some dry menthol. Breathe over the steam, covered with a towel. If you don’t have menthol, you can replace it with “Star” balm.

Propolis

Add a teaspoon of propolis tincture to boiled water. Breathe in the steam while covering your head with a towel.

Washing

Treatment of frontal sinusitis at home necessarily includes rinsing. This procedure allows you to clear the frontal sinuses of pus and mucus, as well as relieve the inflammatory process. Rinsing the nose must be done in a certain sequence.

First, clear as much mucus from your nose as possible.
Instill a vasoconstrictor to reduce swelling and open up access to the sinuses.
Place the prepared rinsing solution into a rubber bulb. You can also use a special bottle.
Pour the solution into one nostril. It should pour out from the other nostril along with pus and mucus.
Your head should be held straight above the sink, without tilting.

Honey and onions

Peel the onion and puree it using a blender. Add a glass of boiling water. Stir and leave to cool. Then add a spoonful of honey. Stir. Rinse your sinuses with the prepared solution three times a day.

Note! This folk remedy cannot be used if you are allergic to honey or onions.

Chamomile

Brew dried chamomile flowers. Let the broth cool until warm. Strain and use for rinsing.

Chlorophyllipt

Boil half a liter of water and cool. Add a spoonful of alcohol chlorophyllipt solution to the water.

St. John's wort

Pour dry St. John's wort herb (1 tsp) with a glass of boiling water and leave to infuse. Rinse your nostrils with the warm, strained solution.

Salt and soda

Dissolve 0.5 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Add a pinch of baking soda and a couple of drops of tea tree oil. The procedure should be done at least 3 times a day.

Sea salt

For a liter of boiled water, take a teaspoon of sea salt. It is advisable to rinse your nose with this solution every couple of hours.

Homemade drops

There is nothing difficult in preparing drops at home, so you can easily prepare such medicine for the treatment of frontal sinusitis in adults or children.

Propolis

A small piece of frozen propolis must be crushed and mixed with a spoon of vegetable oil. Let the mixture sit for three days, and then drop 2-3 drops into each nostril.

Note! Before use, make sure that you are not allergic to propolis.

Cyclamen

Take 1 part cyclamen juice and 4 parts cold boiled water. Mix and bury 2-3 drops in your nose.

Celandine and chamomile

Take chamomile and celandine juice in equal quantities. Place the prepared mixture in your nose several times a day.

Kalanchoe

Place the plucked Kalanchoe leaves in a dark place for several days. Then squeeze the juice out of it through cheesecloth. Mix juice with alcohol in a ratio of 1:20.

You can also prepare an alcohol tincture of Kalanchoe. Pour the crushed leaves of the medicinal plant with alcohol and leave in a dark place for 10 days.

Frontal sinusitis can be cured at home. But do not forget to visit your doctor on time. Be sure to watch your diet, avoid hypothermia, and follow your doctor's recommendations.

Acute frontal sinusitis
- general malaise;
- nasal congestion;
- nasality;
- decreased sense of smell.
Chronic frontal sinusitis -
- - pain can spread to the temporoparietal region and radiate to the ears;
  - difficulty breathing through the nose;
  - decreased sense of smell;
  - nasality.

Forms

According to the type of inflammation there are:

acute catarrhal sinusitis - manifested by nasal congestion, nasal discharge, and sometimes there is a slight heaviness in the superciliary area. It may end in recovery or go into the second stage, characterized by the presence of purulent inflammation;
acute purulent sinusitis - characterized by the accumulation of pus in the frontal sinuses. The headache becomes more intense, the patient's condition worsens significantly.

With any of the forms, frontal sinusitis can be:

unilateral (inflammation of the sinus on one side);
bilateral (inflammation of the sinuses on both sides).

Depending on the source of infection in the frontal sinuses, the following are distinguished:

rhinogenic frontal sinusitis - frontal sinusitis that developed as a result of rhinitis (runny nose);
hematogenous frontal sinusitis - develops as a result of penetration of an infectious pathogen into the cavity of the frontal sinus;
traumatic- develops as a result of skull injuries in the area of the frontal sinuses.

Causes

Acute frontal sinusitis(inflammation of the mucous membrane of the frontal sinus that lasts less than three weeks):
- increased body temperature, chills;
- general malaise;
- nasal congestion;
- accumulation of mucus in the nasal cavity;
- runny nose, accompanied by the discharge of thick yellow or green mucus;
- pain and feeling of heaviness in the frontal sinuses (eyebrow area);
- pain and swelling around the eyes and nose; the pain intensifies when bending forward, during sleep;
- pain can spread to the temporoparietal region and radiate to the ears;
- nasality;
- decreased sense of smell.
Chronic frontal sinusitis - The course is characterized by a wave-like course: periods of exacerbations are replaced by remissions (a period of absence of symptoms of the disease).
- Periods of exacerbation are accompanied by symptoms of acute frontal sinusitis.
- During periods of remission, the clinical picture is less pronounced, possibly:
  - a feeling of heaviness in the superciliary area (intensified by tilting the head forward, after physical activity);
  - the intensity of pain during the day may vary depending on the position of the head;
  - the pain is constant, sometimes accompanied by a sensation of pulsation;
  - pain can spread to the temporoparietal region and radiate to the ears;
  - periodic discharge of thick yellow or green mucus from the nose (mainly in the morning);
  - difficulty breathing through the nose;
  - decreased sense of smell;
  - nasality.

Diagnostics

Analysis of the medical history and complaints of the disease: does the patient notice nasal congestion, thick nasal discharge (possibly yellow or green), headache in the frontal region, aggravated by tilting the head forward, nasal tone, increased body temperature, runny nose preceding the disease, colds, etc. When diagnosing chronic frontal sinusitis, the fact of a previously suffered acute frontal sinusitis is determined.
General examination: the presence of swelling in the area of the eyes and nose; pain may occur when palpating or tapping the walls of the frontal sinuses.
Rhinoscopy is an instrumental examination of the nasal cavity, during which signs of the development of an inflammatory process (swelling and redness of the mucous membrane, purulent discharge) can be detected.
An endoscopic examination of the nose allows you to examine the nasal cavity in more detail, detect pus in the middle nasal meatus, and changes in the nasal cavity that impede normal air circulation.
X-ray diagnostics: in some cases, an X-ray of the frontal sinuses shows the fluid level. The method makes it possible to distinguish a purulent process from a non-purulent one, but the radiological conclusion is not always sufficient to make a final diagnosis.
The contents from the sinuses (when obtained as a result of the YAMIK procedure) are sown on a nutrient medium to determine the type of infectious agent and its sensitivity to antibiotics (antibioticogram). These antibiograms are used when choosing antibacterial treatment (if standard therapy is ineffective) or for recurrent (repeating) sinusitis.
In the diagnosis of chronic sinusitis, one of the important methods is computed tomography (CT) of the paranasal sinuses: layer-by-layer images are taken that make it possible to clearly determine the extent of the process and the anatomical features that could lead to the development of the disease. CT scan makes sense to perform during remission (outside of exacerbation of chronic frontal sinusitis).
Ultrasound of the paranasal sinuses is sometimes used as an alternative to x-ray examination.
Diaphanoscopy with a Hering light bulb (in a darkened room, a light bulb is inserted into the patient’s mouth, who then tightly clasps its base with his lips. When the frontal sinus is inflamed, a decrease in the glow of the light bulb is noted).
Scintigraphy is a radioisotope research method that allows you to diagnose possible intracranial complications (spread of the process into the cranial cavity with damage to the brain).

Treatment of frontal sinusitis

Acute frontal sinusitis.

Drug treatment:
- vasoconstrictor drugs in the form of sprays or drops into the nasal cavity (drugs in this group relieve swelling of the mucous membrane and help remove stagnant fluid from the frontal sinuses). The products are used in a short course, lasting 5-7 days;
- nasal sprays containing antibiotics and steroid hormones (have an anti-inflammatory effect);
- antihistamines - if the disease develops against the background of allergic reactions;
- mucolytics - drugs that help liquefy the contents of the sinuses and, as a result, facilitate their removal;
- with a purulent process, it is possible to prescribe antibiotics (in the form of tablets or injections);
- since the anastomosis of the frontal sinus is located in its lower section, as a rule, removal of pus from the sinus occurs spontaneously after the removal (elimination) of edema.
Non-drug treatment.
- If there is stagnation of pus in the sinuses, severe headaches, symptoms of intoxication (manifested by high fever, general malaise, headaches), or signs of complications, trephine puncture is indicated - a puncture of the frontal sinus with its subsequent washing and administration of a medicinal substance. Trepanopuncture (as opposed to puncture of the maxillary sinus) is a complex procedure and is performed only in a hospital. The size of the frontal sinus is determined radiographically, then, under local anesthesia, a hole is made on its anterior (frontal) wall using a special drill. A catheter is installed into the hole, through which the sinus is subsequently rinsed and medication is injected into it.
- Installation of a YAMIK catheter is a non-puncture method of treatment, an alternative to punctures. In the case of purulent frontal sinusitis, preference is given to this procedure, because it is non-invasive. Under local anesthesia, a rubber catheter is inserted into the nose, from which 2 balloons are inflated, in the nasopharynx and in the nostril area. In this way, the nasal cavity is hermetically closed, after which the contents from the sinuses are sucked out through a separate channel with a syringe, and then the medicine is injected there. The disadvantage of this method is that this procedure is not performed in all medical institutions.
- Rinsing the nose with saline, herbal and antiseptic solutions:
  - the procedure can be carried out independently at home using special devices for nasal shower, sprays or syringes;
  - in ENT offices, rinsing of the nose and paranasal sinuses is carried out using the method of moving medicines (the popular name for the method is “cuckoo”). The solution is poured into one nostril of the patient, the contents are sucked out of the other nostril using suction, while the patient repeats “peek-a-boo” so that the solution does not enter the oropharynx. The procedure is absolutely painless and non-invasive, but significantly less effective than installing a YAMIK catheter.
- Physiotherapy (treatment using natural and artificially created physical factors) is prescribed at the recovery stage and only if there is a good outflow of contents from the sinuses.
- Electrophoresis on the facial wall of the inflamed frontal sinus.
- Taking general strengthening medications.
- Surgical treatment: carried out in the presence of orbital (ocular) and intracranial complications.

Chronic frontal sinusitis.
Treatment methods in the acute stage are the same as for acute frontal sinuses.
For chronic sinusitis outside of exacerbation, the following is carried out:

rinsing the nose with saline solutions;
nasal sprays with steroid hormones (substances with anti-inflammatory effects). The drugs have proven their effectiveness and safety in numerous studies around the world: they are practically not absorbed into the blood and do not affect hormonal levels, many of them are approved for use in young children;
long courses of macrolide antibiotics in low doses (drugs of the antibiotic group, the least toxic to the human body, have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties);
allergy treatment;
If conservative therapy is ineffective or if there are anatomical defects in the nasal cavity, endoscopic surgery is always performed under general anesthesia. After it, aeration of the sinuses (access to oxygen) is restored. If there are anatomical defects (abnormalities of the nasal structures), they are corrected in parallel - this eliminates the cause of chronic frontal sinusitis and prevents relapses (repeated episodes of the disease);
Until now, in some institutions for the treatment of chronic sinusitis, radical sinus operations are performed, which consist of removing the entire mucous membrane lining the sinus, making a skin incision in the forehead and making a large hole on the anterior bone wall of the sinus. Now such operations are considered crippling, since after them the operated sinus is completely deprived of its functions; In addition, the frequency of recurrent diseases after such operations is high. The list of indications for them is quite narrow.

Complications and consequences

Difficulty in nasal breathing leads to chronic hypoxia (lack of oxygen), which negatively affects all organs and systems, including mental activity - attention and memory suffer.
Disturbed nasal breathing during sleep can lead to the development of. These patients experience increased daytime sleepiness.
Acute and chronic, pharyngitis (inflammation of the mucous and lymphoid tissue of the pharynx), laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx).
Inflammation of the soft tissues of the face.
Involvement of the optic nerve and/or eyeball in the process may manifest itself as photophobia, lacrimation, and decreased vision. This condition is dangerous due to the development of blindness.
Spread of the inflammatory process into the cranial cavity with the development of;
a balanced and rational diet (eating foods high in fiber (vegetables, fruits, herbs, etc.));
quitting smoking, quitting alcohol abuse.

Additionally

Some bones of the human skull are hollow formations, that is, they have sinuses inside.
The paranasal sinuses communicate with the nasal cavity through small openings.

The following pairs (right and left) of the paranasal sinuses are distinguished:

maxillary (maxillary) - located in the maxillary bones. Their anterior wall corresponds to the upper part of the cheek. Inflammation of the maxillary sinus is called sinusitis;
frontal (frontal) - located in the frontal bone, in the central part of the forehead, above the bridge of the nose. In case of inflammation of the frontal sinus, they speak of frontal sinusitis;
ethmoidal (ethmoidal) - consist of individual air cells connected to each other, which are divided into anterior ethmoidal and posterior ethmoidal cells, located deep in the nose. The inflammatory process in the ethmoid sinuses is ethmoiditis;
sphenoid (sphenoidal) - located in the sphenoid bone, the deepest paranasal sinuses, their posterior wall borders the cranial cavity and the brain. Sphenoiditis is an inflammation of the sphenoid sinuses.