How to restore the sense of smell after sinusitis?

The maxillary sinuses are located on both sides of the nose in the maxillary bones. When they become inflamed, sinusitis begins. Usually, the pathology occurs simultaneously with inflammation of the frontal sinuses and in ENT practice is one of the most common among the adult population and children. After suffering sinusitis, patients need rehabilitation. It consists in treating the disease, as well as preventing its reappearance.  

The function of the maxillary sinuses

If you look at the figure, we will see that the sinuses in structure resemble a rectangle. The sizes are different, up to 18 cc. The sinus layer consists of ciliated epithelium.

In the human body, the sinuses perform external functions:

• providing the nasal cavity with mucus, which washes away pathogenic microorganisms that have settled on it;
• regulate the pressure that occurs inside the nasal cavity;
• take part in smelling.

In addition, there are internal functions responsible for air exchange and drainage. Due to the influence of negative factors, disturbances in this process may occur, which leads to the development of sinusitis.

Factors affecting the development of the disease:

1. Infections (flu, acute respiratory infections). Usually these are complications after an illness.
2. Reduced immunity.
3. Poor oral hygiene, untreated teeth.
4. Congenital anomalies in the anatomical structure.
5. Cysts, tumors of the sinuses.
6. Adenoids, which are the source of a chronic inflammatory process.

Symptoms

Signs of the development of the disease include the presence of temperature (from 38 and above), weakness, nasal congestion, pain in the forehead, aggravated by tilting. A person experiences discomfort in the infraorbital region. Sometimes there is swelling of the eyelids, their redness, but not in all cases.

Pain is the most formidable and the first sign of pathology. It is usually felt in the nasal region, but can be given to the teeth, eyes. Usually the discomfort intensifies in the evening, after sleep. They don't bother me much during the day. Headache also refers to the spread of the disease in question. The person begins to snore, snore, as nasal breathing is disturbed. The nose lays completely, or alternately each side.

If sinusitis is suspected, attention should be paid to the color of the liquid discharged from the nose. These are yellow discharge with purulent contents. The acute form of the disease is accompanied by fever, and the chronic form is accompanied by a slight increase in temperature.

• In addition to pain, patients with an ENT doctor may experience symptoms:
• bad breath in the mouth;
• lack of appetite;
• drowsiness;
• weakness;
• decreased activity and performance;
• cough that occurs suddenly, paroxysmal in nature.

These symptoms may be characteristic of other diseases. For example, acute rhinitis. A doctor will help to identify sinusitis, as well as to carry out its prevention after a puncture. But if there is discharge from the nose with pus, there is pain when pressing on the cheeks, on the forehead, most likely, you need to urgently go to the doctor.

The chronic form, as with any disease, has less pronounced symptoms. But with a decrease in immunity, stressful situations, it can develop into an acute one, with a sharp increase in temperature and the presence of pain.

IMPORTANT: A hallmark of the pathology under consideration is the loss of smell. Even with a severe runny nose, this does not happen. Therefore, patients are concerned about the question of when the sense of smell will be restored after sinusitis.

With pathology, the nasal mucosa becomes inflamed. This is due to pathogenic microorganisms that settled on it and caused the disease. To eliminate them, strong, antibacterial agents are needed, as well as regular washing of the nasal passages. How long does it take for the nasal mucosa to recover after sinusitis? It is difficult to answer this question unequivocally: it all depends on the age of the person, the level of work of his immune system. In practice, after 10 days in the process of adequate treatment, a significant improvement in the well-being of a person can be observed.

We return the sense of smell

How to restore the sense of smell after sinusitis? There are two types of disorders:

• anosmia - complete loss of function;
• hyposmia is partial.

Prevention of sinusitis after treatment depends on what type of disorder the person had. These disorders cannot be ignored as they impair the quality of life.

If the patient has hyposmia, then recovery from sinusitis can occur within a few weeks. Douching in the nose (warm water) will help with this. This will accelerate the withdrawal of mucus from the cavity, restore the epithelium. The doctor prescribes UHF, UO, magnet. It is necessary to stop smoking, vasoconstrictor drops if they are taken for more than a week. How to quickly recover from sinusitis? In any case, you will have to wait a few weeks.

Restoration of the nasal mucosa is necessary after sinusitis. This operation, carried out in an operative way, allows you to eliminate the pus accumulated in the sinuses. It is prescribed in cases where the patient is not helped by conservative treatment. And a consequence of the operation may be a short-term loss of smell. How to recover from sinusitis in this situation? Several methods:

• washing the nasal passages with saline;
• douching with a self-prepared salt solution, infusion of medicinal herbs;
• use of menthol drops.

If we talk about the terms of rehabilitation after sinusitis to a person who does not feel any odors, then a complete analysis of the medical history is needed here.

Hearing

Restoration of hearing after sinusitis is associated with the occurrence of otitis media, which in most cases accompanies the pathology in question. Doctors comprehensively treat two diseases. Nasal drops are added to the antibiotics prescribed by the ENT doctor.

How to protect yourself from illness

Prevention of sinusitis after a cold, flu is necessary. It consists in simple manipulations that can be done at home, as well as in actions if a person suspects something is wrong with his health. Prevention of sinusitis after a puncture, viruses, colds is similar:

1. Quick referral to an ENT specialist in the event of a severe runny nose and pain.
2. Hygienic procedures of the oral and nasal cavity.
3. Refusal of bad habits, in particular, nicotine.
4. Strengthening the overall immunity of the body.
5. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
6. Useful eating area.
7. Sports.

Rehabilitation for sinusitis consists in adequate treatment of the disease in two ways: conservative and surgical. Doctors resort to the second ENT if they have tried all the methods in the first one. With a conservative scheme, antibacterial agents are used - antibiotics, antifungal drugs, as well as drops with complex components. How to restore the nose after sinusitis? Physiotherapy helps a lot.