How is rhinitis similar and how is it different from sinusitis? Timely diagnosis of diseases of the nasal cavity is the key to a quick recovery

Often patients confuse the names of sinus diseases and call a runny nose sinusitis and vice versa. To understand how rhinitis differs from other inflammations of the sinuses, we will find out what it is and how to treat it.

Rhinitis is the medical name for a common cold that occurs for three reasons:

due to the virus entering the body through the nose;
due to the ingestion of bacteria;
due to allergies.

When a virus enters, a runny nose is called; when bacteria enters, it is called bacterial. These two types differ in the color of the mucus secreted from the nose. Colorless, abundant snot flows due to viruses, and thick with a yellow-green tint when bacteria enter. A day later, when the body is hypothermic, the sinuses become inflamed, itching and burning appear, a person sneezes to get rid of the pathogenic microflora in the nose.

If the treatment of rhinitis is not started in a timely manner, then the body receives.

Runny nose is determined by the following signs:

Dryness of the mucous membranes and burning in the nose.
There is no rise in temperature.
Discharge from the nose is clear and very pronounced.
Hearing obstruction.
Weakness of the body and apathy.

Runny nose due to allergies

Often, people with a predisposition to allergic reactions develop an allergic rhinitis. In this case, the discharge from the nose has a transparent color and a liquid consistency. Itching in the sinuses and sneezing also indicate the presence of an allergy. This unpleasant sensation occurs due to allergies to plant pollen, indoor dust, dry air, animal dander, and more.

To determine the cause of a runny nose, take a blood test. With an increased level of eosinophils, a diagnosis is made - allergic, with an increased content of ESR and leukocytes, an infectious one is suggested.

What is sinusitis?

Started cold and flu treatment late.
The presence of adenoids in the sinuses.
Dental caries.
Abnormal structure of the nasal cavity.
Dry indoor air.
Formations in the nose in the form of polyps and cysts.
Failure to comply with medical prescriptions.

You can determine the appearance of sinusitis in the following ways:

Lean forward sharply, if pain appears in your head, then you have sinusitis.
When pressing on the area of \u200b\u200bthe wings of the nose, pain appears.
Discharge from the nose takes on a thick green color with an unpleasant odor.

What is the difference?

Depending on the localization of inflammation, several stages of sinusitis are distinguished:

Sinusitis - manifested by inflammation of the sinuses located above the jaw.
Frontitis is an inflammation of the sinuses located in the frontal lobes.
Ethmoiditis - inflammation in the area of the ethmoid bone.
Sphenoiditis - inflammation of the sphenoid sinus.

At the same time, sinusitis differs in that it is a complication of rhinitis, because the maxillary sinuses are in close proximity to the sinuses. If this inflammation is not treated, complications will appear in the sinuses located above. Often there is the following complication - meningitis. Which is localized in the region of the brain.

This dangerous disease can lead to mental retardation and even death. Therefore, it is important not to start the appearance of a runny nose in the initial stage of its development.

Diagnosis and treatment of rhinitis or sinusitis

To distinguish the disease, the patient must go to see a doctor. He will visually examine the patient and prescribe tests to establish a diagnosis. Also, if sinusitis is suspected, an ultrasound of the sinuses is prescribed. In the presence of pus, dark spots are shown on the x-ray.

If the doctor has diagnosed a runny nose or sinusitis, then you need to treat this disease.

Treatment of sinusitis and rhinitis of infectious origin

With sinusitis of any kind, the doctor must quickly eliminate the cause of inflammation in order to prevent the spread of pus to all areas of the facial sinuses. For this, a drainage operation is prescribed - the removal of pus from the sinuses with surgical instruments.

The next step in the treatment will be the appointment of antibiotics, they effectively cope with the microbes that remained after the operation in the sinuses.

If breathing is blocked, vasoconstrictor drops are used, but they should not be abused. Otherwise, the body will get used to the stimulation and the vessels without medication will not be able to narrow. There will be chronic congestion.

Washing the nose with saline solutions should be carried out 3-4 times throughout the day. Salt solution kills germs, thins phlegm and moisturizes dry nasal cavity. So mucus with purulent inclusions freely comes out. Pharmacies sell a lot of products based on sea salt to cleanse the nose. They are absolutely harmless.

The question of how rhinitis differs from sinusitis often arises during the cold season, when viruses are activated, or during the flowering of various plants. After all, these ailments often manifest similar symptoms, but their treatment is completely different.

If the inflammatory process has affected only the lower conchas of the nose and their mucous membrane suffers, then we can talk about rhinitis. But the disease of the sinuses is called sinusitis. If the inflammation has penetrated into the maxillary sinus, which is also called the maxillary sinus, then this type of sinusitis is called sinusitis. So, what are the main differences and similarities of diseases?

Etiological factors

The difference between rhinitis and sinusitis is striking, but at the same time there are a number of symptoms that are characteristic of both types. Rhinitis, or runny nose, is characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucosa. It develops as a result of exposure to a viral or bacteriological infection.

This happens due to the following reasons:

weakening of the immune system;
hypothermia;
infection from a sick person.

A runny nose, or rhinitis, occurs along with other symptoms of respiratory infections, namely, with fever, headache, and general malaise.

Sinusitis is a disease of the intraosseous sinuses (sinuses) of the facial skull. The largest of them are the maxillary. They are located in the maxillary bone on the right and left sides. When their mucous membrane becomes inflamed, sinusitis is diagnosed - the most common type of sinusitis.

If a person has rhinitis, then through the narrow ducts of the nose, the infection can also penetrate into the sinuses. In this case, sinusitis develops. Therefore, an important task of a person is to prevent the transition of the inflammatory process to the sinuses, since the appearance of sinusitis along with a runny nose will greatly worsen the patient's condition and complicate therapy. Therefore, in order to prevent complications, the attending physician should deal with the elimination of the disease.

Sinusitis does not always develop against the background of rhinitis. Other causes of this disease include:

Nose injury.
Injuries of the facial bones of the skull.
Diseases of the teeth of the upper row.
During the treatment of a carious tooth, infection may enter. In this case, odontogenic sinusitis develops. It is a severe complication of dental disorders.

Thus, the differences between sinusitis and rhinitis have been identified, now it is worth talking about the similarities of these two diseases.

Acute rhinitis, or runny nose, develops as a result of inflammation of the nasal mucosa, while not only the walls are affected, but all nasal conchas. Edema develops in the upper layer of the mucous membrane, the mouths of the paranasal sinuses overlap, as a result, exudate accumulates there. All these signs are characteristic of rhinosinunitis. It rarely develops as a separate disease. Most often appears as a complication of rhinitis or nasopharyngitis. Therefore, the symptoms of inflammatory diseases of the nose (rhinitis, sinusitis, etc.) may coincide. Consider the following:

Diseases develop against the background of influenza, adenoviruses or rotaviruses.
Another way of infection with rhinitis and sinusitis is bacteria (streptococci, pneumococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus aureus).
Colds, hypothermia.
Acute or chronic course of tonsillitis, tracheitis, tonsillitis, otitis media, pharyngitis, etc.
Dryness in the room.
Allergy.
Injuries to the sinuses or the nose itself. Deviated nasal septum.
The appearance of tumors of a malignant or benign nature.

As it turned out, rhinitis and sinusitis are not only different, but also have similar features.

Essence of rhinitis

The causes of the disease are quite diverse. It is worth considering what groups rhinitis is divided into:

Sharp form. Develops in nasal conchas. The most common cause is infection. Acute rhinitis appears against the background of another disease and is characterized by profuse nasal discharge. Other symptoms include general malaise, lacrimation, hyperthermia.
Chronic runny nose. As a result, the nose is stuffy for a long time, while the person gradually loses his sense of smell. The discharge is purulent, atrophy of the mucosa gradually sets in, dry crusts appear in the nose, no exudate is produced. The main development factors are unfavorable working conditions and frequent hypothermia.
allergic form. This is a seasonal manifestation of the common cold. Pathology develops against the background of flowering of any plants, etc. In addition to a runny nose, sneezing and itching in the nose are observed.
Vasomotor rhinitis. Appears for no apparent reason, most often in the morning. It is characterized by abundant nasal flow of exudate. This is how the body can react to cold air, smells, etc.

Treatment is to eliminate the underlying cause of the common cold. If it is a microbial infection or an allergy, then you will have to take drugs that affect the body as a whole. More often prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs or antihistamines. Along with this, local therapy is also used in the form of drops and sprays in the nose to reduce swelling and the secretory reaction of the organ.

If, after vasoconstrictor drops, the nose continues to stuff up or there is no relief for three days of using the drug, it is worth informing the doctor about this. An important role is played by physiotherapy and a conversation with the patient about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Essence of sinusitis

As a rule, sinusitis develops against the background of other infections, this is their main difference from rhinitis. And in rare cases (for example, with injuries of the nose), the disease is diagnosed as an independent disease. Additional symptoms join the existing ones:

headache;
pain in the area of the affected sinuses;
if you press on the sinuses or tap on them, then the pain is felt sharp;
if sinusitis has developed, then swelling under the eyes can be noticed;
with frontal edema occurs above the eyebrows;
in severe cases, local redness is observed.

When the accumulated mucus begins to suppurate, and the pressure inside the sinuses increases, the person has a nasal voice, and a fetid odor is felt from the nose and mouth. In addition, a general intoxication of the body develops, which is manifested by insomnia, increased fatigue, and headaches.

Treatment of sinusitis and lingering rhinitis is carried out according to the doctor's prescription and includes a complex effect on the body, for example:

Drugs are prescribed depending on the cause of the disease: antimicrobial agents, antihistamines, vasoconstrictor drops, anti-inflammatory therapy.
Local treatment includes washing the sinuses, it is advisable to do this in a hospital setting. The use of drops, ointments and inhalations is recommended.
If conservative therapy has not yielded results or there is a risk of complications, then a puncture of the sinus is done.
A complex of vitamins and immunostimulants, physiotherapy is used.
After the treatment is over, the person should be observed in the clinic for another 6 months. Especially if there was a complicated sinusitis or sinusitis.

Diagnosis of sinusitis and rhinitis

For an experienced otolaryngologist, diagnosing these diseases is not difficult. Nevertheless, a number of analyzes will be needed to clarify the overall picture of the disease. For example, this is a test of a biomaterial with a mucous membrane.

An x-ray is needed in order to determine the specific location of the inflammation. Computed tomography is performed in order to find out in what ways the discharge from the sinuses is removed and in what condition are the areas with inflammation.

Another diagnostic method is endoscopy. It allows you to identify mechanical damage to the sinuses, curvature of the septum of a congenital or acquired nature. In addition to examining the inside of the nose, with the help of endoscopy, antibiotics are injected into the necessary channels, drainage and sanitation are carried out.

Rhinoscopy of the posterior part of the nasopharynx can reveal its hyperemia, purulent layering or accumulation of mucus, as well as the degree of enlargement of the tonsils. And in children, adenoids can be examined in this way. If we are talking about sinusitis, then it reveals x-rays.

Carrying out the treatment of rhinitis and sinusitis or other manifestations of the disease of the nose, it must be remembered that it is not worth delaying the therapy. These two ailments, despite their prevalence, can significantly worsen a person's condition. And in the absence of treatment, complications will begin that can even be fatal. Rhinitis and sinusitis may differ in manifestations and therapy, but they have one thing in common - the need for prompt medical intervention.

Many patients mistakenly believe that sinusitis and rhinitis are the same diseases. This opinion is fundamentally erroneous, since these two diseases, although they have similar symptoms, are fundamentally different in the complexity of the course, as well as the localization of the infection in the nasal cavity. However, rhinitis and sinusitis rarely exist independently of each other, and are most often part of the same pathological process, united by the medical term - rhinosinusitis.

How to define a disease?

In order to more thoroughly understand the features of the course of rhinitis and sinusitis, as well as to understand how these two diseases are related to each other, it is important to understand the structure of the nasal cavity, as well as the functions and features of the localization of the nasal paranasal sinuses.

Rhinitis and sinusitis are two different pathologies

The nasal cavity is the initial section of the respiratory tract, divided into two halves by a septum, passing through the choanae into the nasopharynx. The nasal passages are completely limited by three walls: upper, paternal and lower, and are also covered with mucous membranes. Adjacent to the nasal cavity are the paranasal sinuses, which, in turn, are divided according to the place of localization into the following sinuses:

Frontal
Maxillary
wedge-shaped
lattice maze

With rhinitis, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nasal passages occurs. With sinusitis, one of the paranasal sinuses is affected, or all additional cavities are involved in the inflammatory process (polysinusitis). When inflammation affects the mucous membranes of the nasal passages and one or more paranasal sinuses, a disease such as rhinosinusitis is diagnosed. In uncomplicated forms of rhinitis, body temperature does not rise, and in fact, ninety percent of cases of acute sinusitis are characterized by hyperthermia to febrile values.

Rhinitis: classification and clinical manifestations

Inflammation of the mucous membranes can be infectious or non-infectious. Infectious rhinitis is a disease caused by various viruses and pathological bacteria. A non-infectious form of rhinitis, also known as vasomotor rhinitis, can be the cause of hypothermia, severe gas or dust in the air. Often, rhinitis is a concomitant disease of such pathologies as: influenza, diphtheria, measles, scarlet fever, various disorders of the vegetative-vascular system, allergies, and so on.

Where is rhinitis localized

From the point of view of the etiology of the disease, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nasal passages is usually divided into:

caused by viral or bacterial infections.
Chronic, resulting from exposure to aggressive adverse environmental factors, local circulatory disorders or poor working conditions.
Vasomotor, due to destabilization of the body's neuro-reflex responses to external stimuli (cold or hot air, strong smell, and so on).
Allergic, associated with hypersensitivity of the mucous membranes to a variety of allergens.

Acute rhinitis is characterized by catarrhal inflammatory processes of the mucous membrane, manifested by hyperemia of epithelial tissues with pronounced localization in the nasal concha. The lesion affects both halves of the nose and begins with watery eyes, frequent sneezing and general malaise. Also, acute rhinitis is characterized by the fact that after the manifestation of the first symptoms, abundant serous-mucous discharge appears, which acquires a pronounced purulent character during the development of the disease.

Chronic rhinitis is manifested by constant nasal congestion and a significant decrease in the sense of smell. The mucous membranes are hyperemic and thickened. Patients have thick mucopurulent discharge, and in the atrophic form of the disease, dry crusts in the nose.

With vasomotor rhinitis, symptomatic attacks develop for no apparent reason. Patients complain of periodic nasal congestion in the morning, frequent sneezing, watery eyes, copious mucous or watery discharge from the nasal passages. In cases of allergic rhinitis, itching in the nose, as well as seasonal discharge, are added to the described symptoms.

Sinusitis: symptoms and classification

Sinusitis, or inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, as well as rhinitis, can be a comorbidity in infectious diseases - influenza, scarlet fever, measles, and so on. But most often the disease is the result of untreated episodes of rhinitis. Depending on the localization of the pathological process, four types of sinusitis are distinguished:

Sinusitis - inflammation of the maxillary accessory sinus
Frontitis - inflammation of the frontal accessory sinus
Ethmoiditis - inflammation of the ethmoid sinus
Sphenoiditis - inflammation of the sphenoid sinus

Compared with other inflammatory processes in the paranasal sinuses, frontal sinusitis is especially acute. This state of affairs is due to the fact that the frontal sinuses are characterized by insufficient drainage. Moreover, with untimely or improper treatment, frontal sinusitis quickly becomes chronic.

Where are sinusitis located?

All sinusitis is characterized by symptoms such as:

Unpleasant sensations in the nose and pain in the paranasal region, which are constantly increasing and can radiate to the undereye zone and bridge of the nose. The pain symptom is least pronounced in the morning, but by the evening it is rapidly increasing.
Difficult nasal breathing due to nasal congestion. As a rule, both halves are laid, however, alternating shortness of breath can be observed.
The patient complains of nasal discharge, which is either mucous or purulent. If the outflow of pathological contents and the sinus is difficult, this symptom may not be observed.
Often leads to an increase in body hyperthermia to febrile values (38 C and above). However, in a chronic sluggish process, the body temperature does not rise and is within the normal range.
Sinusitis is the cause of acute intoxication of the body, so the patient quickly gets tired, and also complains of weakness, sleep disturbance, headaches and lack of appetite.

Timely treatment of the patient for qualified medical care is a guarantee that sinusitis will not turn into a chronic form and will not cause severe and difficult to treat complications.

Rhinitis and sinusitis: methods of therapy and diagnostics

Diagnosis of rhinitis is reduced to the collection of anamnesis of the patient, as well as to a visual examination of the nasal passages. If a bacteriological etiology of the disease is suspected, biomaterial is taken from the surface of the mucous membranes, which is subsequently sent for laboratory research. If the doctor has suspicions of acute rhinosinusitis, in order to accurately diagnose and identify the degree of damage to the paranasal sinuses in a patient, differential diagnosis and history taking alone is not enough.

To clarify the primary diagnosis in rhinitis and identify pathological changes in sinusitis and acute rhinosinusitis, the following methods of clinical examination are used:

Radiography
Endoscopy (with photo and video recording)
CT scan

Radiography allows you to determine the localization and extent of the pathological process and draw up an approximate treatment algorithm for the patient. With the help of modern endoscopes equipped with fiber optics, it is possible not only to conduct a detailed examination, but also to take photos of the affected areas as close as possible. This diagnostic method, among other things, is indicated in the presence of any mechanical damage in the nasal cavity, structural changes or congenital curvature of the nasal septum.

Carrying out diagnostics

Modern endoscopes allow you to make photo and video fixation with a thirty-fold increase. Thanks to this, the attending physician will be able to quickly and accurately diagnose, as well as prescribe adequate treatment. Modern computed tomography is used to track the excretory path from the sinus and examine the condition of the sinuses.

Rhinitis and sinusitis have differences, since these are different diseases, although many of them are combined into one. Of course, their symptoms are largely similar, and the infection that affects the nasal cavity is the same, but nevertheless they are different.

To understand the differences between these two diseases, one should know how the nasal cavity is arranged, how each of them proceeds separately, and where rhinitis and sinusitis are localized.

What is the difference between sinusitis and rhinitis?

To understand how one disease differs from another, it is necessary to have at least an elementary idea of the structure of the nose. It is a respiratory organ, which gradually passes into the pharynx due to the sinuses. There are three surfaces: superior, paternal and inferior. Each of them has its own mucous membranes. There are also sinuses, which are called:

"lattice labyrinth";
wedge-shaped;
maxillary;
frontal.

The main difference between sinusitis and rhinitis is that in the first case, one specific or several sinuses are affected by the disease, while in the second case, it is the mucous membrane that is inflamed. If the process attacks both the sinuses and the surface, then such a disease will be called rhinosinusitis.

If there are no complications, then during rhinitis there is usually no increase in temperature, while with sinusitis it will have quite high values.

How to define rhinitis?

Rhinitis is caused by an infectious lesion or harmful environmental factors. In the first case, the disease is provoked by bacteriophages and pathological bacteria. In the second case, the disease may be the result of a person being in a cold, polluted atmosphere for a long time, in which the patient is constantly located. In most cases, rhinitis accompanies influenza, diphtheria, disorders of the vegetative-vascular system, measles, allergic manifestations, scarlet fever and other diseases.

In medicine, rhinitis is divided into several groups, which are classified depending on the etiology of the disease:

Acute form, which is caused by viral or bacterial infections.

If a person is diagnosed, then he has a catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membrane, which can manifest itself in the nasal conchas. Such a process will be observed from two sides, while there is a strong tearing, a person begins to sneeze a lot and his general well-being worsens. After a short time, if you do not pay attention to the disease in time, the discharge increases its amount, moreover, it already appears from the nose. In the future, instead of a clear liquid, they acquire purulent inclusions.

Chronic form, which may occur due to the constant stay of the patient in an aggressive environment, as well as in violation of the blood circulation or due to difficult working conditions.

Chronic rhinitis is characterized by the following manifestations:

stuffy nose, which significantly reduces the sense of smell;
purulent discharge begins to flow from the nose;
if there is an atrophic form, then dry crusts will form in the nose.

Vasomotor form, which occurs as a result of a violation of neuroreflex reactions that cause a response to external stimuli from the environment.

The vasomotor form is fraught with the fact that it does not have pronounced symptoms.

From time to time, the nose can be stuffy, especially in the morning, mucous discharge appears. A person begins to sneeze often, his eyes are constantly watery.

The allergic form occurs due to the excessive sensitivity of the mucosa to irritants.

If it does, then, in addition to these symptoms, an additional sensation of itching appears, and the discharge itself is seasonal.

Symptoms of sinusitis

Sinusitis can be a separate disease or be a symptom of an illness that affects the airways. In most cases, sinusitis is untreated rhinitis. Depending on which sinus is infected, the disease can be of the following type:

Sinusitis. In this case, the inflammatory process affects the maxillary accessory sinus.
Frontit. This form is characterized by inflammation in the frontal accessory sinus.
Etmoiditis. A patient with this disease will have problems with the ethmoid sinus.
Sphenoiditis. The process affects the sphenoid sinus.

Of all the forms, frontal sinusitis has the most difficult course of the disease, since it affects all the sinuses. The situation is further complicated by the fact that if it is not cured in time, it will quickly take on a chronic form.

Regardless of the type, sinusitis always has the following symptoms:

Discomfort in the nasal passages, which is accompanied by pain in the adjacent areas. The pain may intensify from time to time, and then move to the under-eye zone and bridge of the nose. Such sensations always manifest themselves in the evening and almost never in the morning.
It becomes difficult for a person to breathe, as he has. In most cases, both sides of the aisles are affected.
There may be discharge of a mucous or purulent nature. But here it is immediately worth noting that due to the closed passages, the contents may not come out, so this symptom is not observed in all cases.
If it does, then the body temperature can rise to no less than 38 degrees. But as for a chronic disease, this indicator can remain normal.
Sinusitis leads to intoxication of the body, and this, in turn, is reflected in the rapid fatigue of a person. Weakness, insomnia appear, appetite decreases and the head constantly hurts.

The sooner the patient pays attention to his condition and go to see a doctor for an examination, the lower the risk of sinusitis developing into a chronic form. Otherwise, the resulting complications may have a difficult treatment, which is not always successful.

How to determine: rhinitis and sinusitis?

Upon examination, the doctor conducts a conversation about the presence of a history of similar diseases in the patient, if necessary, prescribes an analysis of the collection of biomaterial from the mucosa.

For more complex forms of diseases, the following types of examinations are used:

Radiography. This helps to identify the specific location of the concentration of inflammation and at what stage it is. This allows you to develop a treatment regimen.
Endoscopy, which makes photo and video recording. This method allows you to determine whether there is damage in the nasal passages caused by mechanical means. The doctor is able to determine structural changes, and whether there are congenital pathologies in the partitions.
Computed tomography. The technique allows the doctor to track the path along which all accumulations are removed from the sinus. CT also helps to see the condition of the affected areas.

Treatment of diseases

Each disease has its own nuances in treatment, it all depends on the form and causes that caused such an ailment:

For acute and chronic rhinitis, the following measures are used:

eliminate the causes that provoke a runny nose;
a course of medications is prescribed, including sprays, inhalers, nasal drops;
physiotherapeutic measures;
surgery may be used if necessary.

Sinusitis involves complex treatment.

Both conservative techniques and, as an extreme method, surgery are used here. Drugs prescribed by a doctor should have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

To achieve the desired effect, the patient should strictly follow all the recommendations of the doctor, otherwise the drugs may be addictive and will not have the desired effect.

How is rhinitis different from sinusitis? There are several differences. The main difference lies in the pathology of these conditions.. Rhinitis is not a disease in itself, but is a general term for symptoms associated with the nose, eyes, and throat. Symptoms are sometimes associated with seasonal allergies or the common cold. Sinusitis, or sinusitis, is a condition that causes pain and pressure in the sinuses and is usually caused by a bacterial infection. It is possible to have both ailments at the same time, since these two diseases have similar symptoms. For example, rhinitis includes symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, and a scratchy throat. The same symptoms may be present in sinusitis.

General information and differences

Respiratory infections such as SARS can cause rhinitis symptoms and lead to a secondary infection such as bronchitis or sinusitis. The effects of prolonged hypothermia can lead to extreme nasal congestion and swelling of the nasal passages. Within a few days or weeks, swollen nasal passages, if they are not freed from mucus for a long time, can become a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic microflora. Mucus can become a prime breeding ground for bacteria and can subsequently cause sinusitis. Although sinusitis and the resulting sinusitis are most often caused by a bacterial infection, it can also occur without infection.

Allergic sinusitis causes swelling and inflammation, predominantly in the maxillary sinus cavity. This leads to pressure and pain in their area, which can be acute or chronic. Those suffering from this disease may be disturbed by high eye pressure or in the area below the eye sockets. Pressure and pain may also be felt around the eye sockets and at the bridge of the nose.

The main difference between rhinitis and sinusitis is that rhinitis will not cause pain and pressure in the sinus cavity.

People with this ailment need to remove the swelling in the nasal passages to ensure proper drainage of mucus and pus. This can be done with decongestants and other methods. Steam therapy can also be effective for patients with sinusitis. In some severe cases of chronic sinusitis, surgery may be required.

The requirement for surgery is one of the main differences between rhinitis and sinusitis.

The surgical process is performed on an outpatient basis with a procedure known as sinoscopy.. This is a nasal sinus endoscopy procedure that helps clear blocked maxillary and frontal sinuses of the paranasal passages, allowing free breathing. This minimally invasive procedure leaves intact the bones surrounding the tissues of the sinuses.

The need for surgery is the main differentiating factor between rhinitis and sinusitis. Since the symptoms of rhinitis never require the use of endoscopic surgery, except in cases where the cause of the disease is sinusitis. Symptoms of rhinitis usually disappear on their own, without permanent or long-term complications.

What is sinusitis

The sinuses are the paranasal sinuses located on the front of the human skull and are bony "pockets" around the nose filled with air.. They are located near the nose under the skin and have a total of four groups and eight sinuses, two for each:

maxillary (or maxillary) sinuses;
frontal sinus;
cells of the ethmoid bone;
sphenoid sinus.

The maxillary sinuses are located on both sides of the nasal cavity, in a circle above the upper jaw. The frontal sinus is located in the frontal bone, the ethmoid bone is located on both sides of the bridge of the nose, it has a structure resembling a labyrinth, and consists of many small sinuses filled with air. The sphenoid bone is located in the back of the nasal cavity.

The paranasal sinuses have small openings leading to the nose.. They are involved in the flow of moist and warm inhaled air to the paranasal sinuses, playing an important role, as they balance the weight of the head inside the skull, reducing it.

What is sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the largest paranasal sinus.. Medical experts usually divide sinusitis into the following categories:

Acute: three weeks or less.
Chronic: 3 weeks to eight weeks, but may persist for months to years.
Recurrent: attacks that recur once a year.

According to WHO, every year more people suffer from this disease due to air pollution..

The structure of the nasal and paranasal sinuses

The structure of the nose and paranasal sinuses are interconnected. Mutual influence on each other often leads to a vicious circle, when a runny nose complicates the development of sinusitis, and sinusitis gives a side symptom in the form of a runny nose. However, there is also a difference between them.

From an anatomical point of view, rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nasal cavity, which is located behind the nostrils in the place where air enters during the breathing process.. Sinusitis is an inflammation inside the hollow paranasal sinuses located on the facial cranial bones near the nose. These are a total of 4 pairs of hollow sinuses located symmetrically on both sides of the face - the maxillary, frontal, ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses. Each of them has openings leading to the nasal cavity. They are interconnected through the mouths that lead to the sinuses, have a similar mucous secretion and microflora. Thus, the mucous membrane is interconnected at the sinuses and paranasal sinuses, being one.

When it comes to congestion, sneezing, mucus discharge from the nose, decreased sense of smell - this is a consequence of acute rhinitis. In the long course of acute rhinitis, if the wrong treatment is carried out, the inflammation of the nose can spread through the channels that connect the sinuses and get into the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses. Inflammation of these sinuses is called sinusitis. From the Greek "sinus" - sinus and the suffix "it" meaning the process of inflammation.

Acute and chronic types of rhinitis and sinusitis

Chronic inflammation resulting from prolonged rhinitis is called acute sinusitis.. Its main symptoms are:

nasal congestion;
purulent discharge from the nose;
headache.

In cases where acute rhinitis and acute sinusitis are recurrent and recur repeatedly, it can form chronic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis. Symptoms of chronic rhinitis are also persistent nasal congestion or one of the nostrils.

And with chronic sinusitis, there are frequent whitish liquid snot, after which yellow purulent discharge begins to stand out and the sense of smell decreases.

Thus, rhinitis and sinusitis are closely related as diseases. However, their clinical manifestations vary, as do the results of examinations.

What can sinusitis cause?

Acute sinusitis can cause frequent headaches, especially when tilting the head, chills, fever, purulent discharge from the nose. Symptoms also include a debilitating runny nose, body aches, discomfort, lack of energy, loss of appetite, and more. In children suffering from acute sinusitis, it may be accompanied by high fever and convulsions, vomiting and diarrhea, and other symptoms may occur. Without seeking medical attention, this ailment often turns into chronic sinusitis.

Acute sinusitis can also lead to complications such as otitis media, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and can sometimes even lead to rare forms of eye infections. Migraine caused by sinusitis is localized in the inflamed area and is different from the type of sinusitis. Sinusitis, depending on its location, can have the following names:

sinusitis;
frontitis;
ethmoiditis;
sphenoiditis.

Most patients with chronic sinusitis complain of purulent discharge from the nose, headache, memory loss and other inconveniences that prevent them from fully living and functioning in society. In this case, pus that fills the sinuses can cause infection of surrounding tissues and lead to consequences such as blindness, meningitis, brain abscess and other serious diseases that require the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Such serious consequences from complications are extremely rare.

Due to the fact that purulent discharge from the nose enters the pharynx, as well as the need for prolonged breathing through the mouth due to constant nasal congestion, sinusitis is often accompanied by symptoms of chronic pharyngitis - such as phlegm, foreign body sensation or sore throat. If there is an impact of the affected paranasal cavity on the Eustachian tube, then tinnitus may also appear, deafness and other symptoms may develop. Children's school performance can be seriously affected due to chronic sinusitis, leading to falling behind. Chronic sinusitis can also be a source of infection of other organs that are in close proximity to the source of inflammation.