The otolaryngologist spoke about the connection between the common cold and sinus inflammation

A runny nose, especially in the absence of proper treatment, can develop into rhinosinusitis involving the paranasal sinuses — a modern analogue of sinusitis. Anna Nikitina, an otorhinolaryngologist at the Atribeaute clinic, told Izvestia on November 13 about what factors influence the development of this disease and why this condition is dangerous.

"If a person has a pronounced runny nose, the inflammatory process may already be in the sinuses, but this is not always clinically significant, so it is more correct to talk not about sinusitis, but rhinosinusitis involving the paranasal sinuses," the doctor explained.

According to the specialist, rhinosinusitis develops when the outflow of mucus from the nasal cavity is disrupted due to swelling of the mucous membrane. This creates conditions for the growth of bacteria and the development of inflammation. At risk are patients who do not wash their nose with a runny nose, as well as people with anatomical features such as curvature of the septum, polyps or allergic rhinitis.

Nikitina added that in some cases, the inflammation may be associated with a dental infection, the so—called odontogenic sinusitis. It most often develops with caries or pulpitis of the upper teeth.

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"Rhinosinusitis involving the paranasal sinuses is manifested by prolonged nasal congestion, more often on the one hand, which does not go away even after treatment of a runny nose. There is pain and a feeling of pressure in the forehead, cheeks and bridge of the nose, especially when the head is tilted forward. Thick mucous or purulent discharge may be released from the nose, sometimes with an unpleasant odor. A headache often appears, usually in the morning or after sleeping, when a person has been in a horizontal position for a long time," said the otolaryngologist.

To prevent the development of rhinosinusitis, it is important to treat a runny nose in a timely manner, use vasoconstrictor drops for no more than five days, and rinse your nose regularly. During the heating season, it is recommended to maintain air humidity in the range of 45-60% and avoid hypothermia.

If the inflammation has already started, Nikitina added, you should not self-medicate. The diagnosis should be confirmed by an ENT doctor using CT or endoscopy. If necessary, antibiotics and nasal rinsing are prescribed, and in difficult cases, surgical correction.

On April 29, Olga Popova, a pediatric otorhinolaryngologist at the SM Clinic for Children, noted in an interview with Izvestia that sometimes parents consider a runny nose to be a frivolous symptom and expect it to disappear on its own over time. However, prolonged runny nose in children leads primarily to a decrease in their quality of life: sleep disorders, attention disorders, weakness, moodiness, fatigue and headache due to lack of oxygen supply from the inhaled air.

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