Sinusitis without a runny nose - symptoms and treatment

Sinusitis without fever: symptoms and treatment at home

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the maxillary sinuses, which are located in the maxillary bones of the nose on both sides. The lesion process can occur in one part or in both simultaneously. The causes of this disease are bacterial, fungal or viral infections. This pathology can be asymptomatic, and therefore risks being undetected in time. Experts believe that sinusitis without fever is much more dangerous, as it indicates a weakened immune system and can lead to a number of complications. This happens more often in older people, but adults and children are no exception.

Characteristic differences and hidden signs of sinusitis

Often sinusitis occurs without obvious symptoms. But the disease cannot be neglected, because inflammatory processes affect all neighboring organs and tissues. The main danger is pus getting into the brain . This happens at a time when purulent sinusitis progresses and the accumulated pus becomes overfilled, the only way out being the thin walls that separate the maxillary sinuses from the brain.

The advanced type of the disease carries the following complications:

• abscess of the maxillary sinus;
• orbital damage;
• damage to the trigeminal nerve;
• osteomyelitis of the upper jaw.

As these diseases develop, characteristic symptoms appear that can no longer be ignored.

The absence of a runny nose, fever and purulent discharge from the sinuses does not exclude the patient from acute or purulent sinusitis.

You will find all the information about exudative sinusitis here.

Can there be asymptomatic sinusitis without a runny nose and congestion?

It seems that sinusitis does not exist without a runny nose, but this is a misconception. With viral diseases such as influenza or ARVI, inflammatory processes occur without secretions. The mucous membrane swells and does not allow fluid to escape. It begins to accumulate in the sinuses. A person’s condition becomes better after an illness, but the mucus remains, turning into pus .

The infection passes without a runny nose if existing caries dissolves the thin septum of the oral cavity and penetrates inside. Injuries and damage, a curved bridge of the nose, atrophic transformations of the mucous membrane can also provoke the development of hidden sinusitis.

Diagnostics

It doesn’t matter whether the symptoms are vivid or the sinusitis proceeds without a runny nose or nasal congestion: the main thing is to notice the pathological ones in time and give up the thought of self-medication - only an experienced specialist should determine the direction of therapy.

Diagnosis begins with collecting complaints. The patient should be told honestly and in detail about the time of onset of the disease, symptoms, and whether the nose is breathing. Also with sinusitis, headache and body temperature are important. After this, the doctor examines the nasal cavity to assess the condition of the mucous membrane.

The first and main diagnostic method is an x-ray of the forehead and sinuses. The image will show an accumulation of pus - a clear white spot. In a normal state, the sinus is not filled with pus and appears black on an x-ray.

If the treatment does not produce the expected results, the doctor prescribes a puncture of the maxillary sinus. The purpose of this procedure is to determine the causative agent of the disease. After pathogenic microflora is isolated, antibiotic sensitivity tests are carried out on it. Using this method, the optimal pharmacological group of antibacterial drugs and a specific agent are determined.

How to find out without a doctor that it is sinusitis

At home, it is difficult to determine the presence of inflammation. Symptoms of the disease are similar to colds or allergic rhinitis. Therefore, you should be more careful, observing the following signs:

• painful sensations in the area of ​​the nose, eyebrows, cheekbones, and forehead;
• labored breathing;
• prolonged runny nose;
• photophobia;
• swelling of the cheeks or eyelids;
• complete or partial loss of smell;
• high temperature, chills, fever;
• pain when tilting or turning the head;
• loss of appetite;
• timbre of voice, appearance of nasality.

Find out why ear congestion may occur with sinusitis here.

Sinusitis should not be left untreated; this can lead to irreversible consequences. Therefore, it is important to consult an otolaryngologist in a timely manner.

Diagnostics in the hospital

In modern medicine there are many methods of professional diagnostics. For sinusitis, a blood test, radiography, magnetic resonance or computed tomography are performed, which most informatively and accurately detect the presence of the disease. Another method is diaphanoscopy . This method allows you to view the nasal passages and identify the sources of inflammation. After confirmation of the diagnosis, a mandatory study is carried out - bacterial culture from the throat, as well as an antibiogram. This additional check allows you to identify the causative agent of the infection and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Treatment

In case of sinusitis, it is important to contact a medical facility in time to establish the correct diagnosis. There are three main types of pathogens that can cause sinusitis. These are viruses, bacteria and fungi. Drug treatment is selected individually and depends on the cause, form and stage of development of the disease. Only a qualified otolaryngologist can select the appropriate therapy. In addition to medications against inflammatory processes and swelling, painkillers are prescribed. To avoid complications, you need to start treatment quickly.

How to relieve swelling without vasoconstrictors

First of all, with sinusitis, it is necessary to relieve swelling. There are several ways to solve this problem. Rinsing the sinuses with a saline solution thins the accumulated mucus and removes it out. You can buy it at the pharmacy or make it yourself by adding two teaspoons of sea salt to a liter of boiled water. Inhalation will help relieve swelling . They can be made using a decoction of medicinal herbs or essential oils. Chamomile, sage, calendula are suitable. Glucocorticoid drugs quickly and permanently relieve swelling. Intensive treatment begins to take effect at least on the third day.

Medication

Antibiotics are used in almost all cases in the fight against sinusitis. A course of taking such drugs is carried out until complete recovery. Taking antibiotics too briefly will not completely cure, which threatens relapse. Long-term use leads to addiction and bacteria become immune to the current drug. In such a situation, the doctor may change one antibiotic to another.

Can you have sinusitis without a runny nose?

With sinusitis, swelling of the mucous membrane of the sinuses occurs, and serous or purulent exudate forms in them. And most often, inflammation is accompanied by copious nasal discharge. The composition of the secretion depends on the type of infection.

There are acute and chronic sinusitis. According to the clinical picture, it can be:

• catarrhal;
• purulent;
• chronic with the formation of papillomas, polyps and atrophic changes in the mucosa.

But there is dry sinusitis, which is caused by:

• deformation of the nasal septum;
• postoperative scars;
• changes in the shape of the nose, trauma;
• the appearance of neoplasms in the nasal passages in the form of polyps, cysts and tumors.

From here the nasal canal is blocked, and there is no passage for the outflow of secretions. Sinusitis without snot usually develops when the patient has a cold or flu.

Symptoms of sinusitis without nasal discharge include:

1. The patient feels unwell, weak, accompanied by a body temperature above 37 degrees.
2. A feeling of fullness appears in the area of ​​the affected facial sinus.
3. When you tilt your head down or forward, pain is felt in the area of ​​inflammation.
4. Redness is visible in the upper part of the cheeks near the eye sockets.
5. The mucous membrane of the eyes becomes inflamed, swelling of the face is noticeable.
6. The pain radiates to the upper jaw.
7. An unreasonable cough occurs.
8. The timbre of the voice changes, it becomes nasal.

It is necessary to treat the patient more quickly when there are no symptoms of a runny nose due to sinusitis. The disease, especially in childhood, progresses, causing general intoxication of the body. When inflammation is detected late, it passes into the atrophic stage, during which destruction of the bone walls of the sinus occurs, irreversible processes in the mucous membrane.

Symptoms of the disease without a runny nose

When the nose is stuffy with sinusitis, it is easier to diagnose, but in the absence of a runny nose, other additional symptoms may indicate the disease:

1. A slight increase in body temperature, and this occurs during the first few days, the readings reach 37-38 degrees.
2. There is slight nasal congestion, but it does not go away for a long time.
3. From time to time there is pain in the head and jaw, which intensifies when communicating and chewing food.
4. There is a feeling of squeezing in the bridge of the nose.
5. Puffiness or swelling of the face, especially in the cheek area.
6. Unpleasant sensations in the paranasal sinuses, especially when a person is in a horizontal position for some time, that is, sleeping or resting.
7. Feeling of bad breath, nasal voice.
8. Labored breathing.

With sinusitis without snot, breathing is difficult, there is nasal congestion, swelling of the face is observed.
To these signs, you can add general symptoms of intoxication, when your health noticeably worsens, loss of appetite, fear of light, general malaise appears, apathy and increased fatigue are observed.

Symptoms of sinusitis without snot clearly indicate the presence of this disease, however, only a qualified doctor can accurately establish the diagnosis. It is not recommended to take any measures on your own to treat the disease until a diagnosis has been made and you have no idea what is happening in the body.

Is there sinusitis without a runny nose: treatment methods

There are several ways to treat sinusitis without snot:

1. The surgical method involves removing mucus by puncture. After the operation, a drain is inserted for a week so that the secretion flows out continuously. In this case, the patient must constantly rinse the sinus with physiological solutions.
2. To eliminate swelling and suppress bacterial growth, a course of systemic antibiotics is taken. Viral flora is combated with the help of drugs containing interferon. Vasoconstrictors rarely help; they are only needed to relieve nasal congestion.
3. Physiotherapy includes rinsing, inhalation, massage, and acupuncture. To introduce antibiotics into the sinuses, electrophoresis or phonophoresis is used.
4. Among the folk remedies, the use of aloe and Kalanchoe juice for instillation into each nostril is effective. Inhalations with the addition of propolis tincture help cope with pathogenic viruses and bacteria. A decoction of lavender, coltsfoot, and St. John's wort has a bactericidal effect. You need to breathe the vapors of the plant collection every day.

Features of the treatment of sinusitis without a runny nose

Can you have sinusitis without a runny nose? This question is asked by many who feel pressure and pain in the bridge of the nose. Of course, the classic course of the disease is accompanied by copious nasal discharge, sometimes with pus, but it may not always reach the nasopharynx.

Viruses and pathogenic microorganisms attack the nasal mucosa, causing acute inflammation in the maxillary sinuses. Unlike a runny nose or rhinitis, sinusitis does not occur in the nasal mucosa, but higher up - in the maxillary sinuses, the passages from which, due to swelling, can be completely blocked, and the outflow of mucus does not occur.

Especially at the initial stage of sinusitis without a runny nose, the symptoms of the disease practically do not appear. But pathological pus gradually fills the entire sinus, and soon the first symptoms of an unpleasant disease will appear.

What contributes to the development of the disease

If there is pain in the facial area on the sides of the nose, a headache, a disturbance in general health, but there is no discharge from the nose, it can be assumed that fluid accumulates in the maxillary sinus and there is no adequate outflow. Factors that can lead to sinusitis without a runny nose:

• untimely treatment of infections (ARVI, influenza, bacterial inflammation);
• complication from unhealthy teeth in the upper jaw;
• injury or deviated nasal septum;
• hypertrophic changes in the lining of the nasal cavity.

Only a specialist can determine the real cause of the pathology. Do not draw your own conclusions, do not take medications uncontrollably, get examined by a doctor.

Causes of the disease

Doctors include:

• various infections, for example, ARVI, rubella, measles, which were not completely treated or were carried on the legs;
• dental diseases, for example, advanced caries, periodontitis, when the inflammatory process passes from the teeth to the maxillary sinus;
• injuries when the outflow of secretions and pus from the sinuses is disrupted as a result of deformation or damage to the nasal septum;
• atrophy of the mucous membrane with frequent and prolonged colds, when the structure of the ciliated epithelium is disrupted, the mucous membrane loses its functions and becomes thinner, after which it is no longer able to remove all microorganisms with mucus.

For sinusitis without a runny nose, the symptoms are as follows:

• pressing sensations in the bridge of the nose and forehead, aggravated by sharp tilts of the head forward;
• fast fatiguability;
• pain in the nasal passages;
• sleep disorders;
• lethargy and weakness;
• slight fever and chills;
• headache;
• swelling of the cheeks.

How to recognize the disease?

Symptoms of sinusitis without a runny nose manifest differently in adults and children, so they should be considered separately.

Clinical picture in adults

Sinusitis without snot can be detected in an adult by the following signs:

• a feeling of pressure in the bridge of the nose, which intensifies when the head is tilted forward;
• pain in the nose, tending to spread throughout the face;
• in later stages, acute sinusitis without nasal congestion is accompanied by an increase in temperature to subfebrile levels;
• paroxysmal cephalgia (headache);
• swelling of the face, which is especially clearly visible on the sides of the nose.

One of the most common signs of sinusitis without nasal discharge is that pain in the head and nose appears in the morning and daytime, when a person is in one position for a long time. In the evening, as well as at night, this symptom disappears, but the next morning it appears again. It cannot be ignored, since sinusitis is a very insidious and dangerous disease.

Clinical manifestations in children

Symptoms of the development of sinusitis without a runny nose in children can manifest themselves through the occurrence of:

• difficult nasal breathing, but without pronounced nasal congestion;
• pain in the nose or head, especially at night;
• hearing problems;
• pain in the ear from a blocked sinus;
• fatigue, loss of strength;
• irritability, sleep disturbances;
• bad breath;
• increase in body temperature.

As you can see, the symptoms of sinusitis are extensive, moreover, it can be confused with various respiratory pathologies, so it is better not to self-medicate.

Treatment of sinusitis without a runny nose

In the classic course of the disease, acute viral sinusitis is accompanied by rhinitis, that is, white or clear discharge. But with a severe bacterial infection and inflammatory process, the passages from the sinuses become blocked, and treatment should be carried out with the help of antibiotics:

• Amoxiclav;
• Augmentin;
• Sumomed;
• Rovamycin;
• Erythromycin;
• Cefaclor;
• Cephalexin;
• Azithromycin.

To relieve swelling and restore sinus patency, vasoconstrictor drops or convenient sprays are prescribed, as well as frequent rinses with saline solutions. After mucus circulation is restored, rinsing and disinfection of the affected cavity are prescribed to dilute the pus. First, the nose is washed with sea salt, then the drug Rinofluimucil is used, then again a solution of sea salt and finally an antiseptic, for example, Isofra, Miramistin, Polydexa and others.

Sinusitis without runny nose and nasal congestion is also treated with antihistamines: Claritin, Erius, as well as anti-inflammatory Nise and Nurofen, which also have an analgesic effect.

Physiotherapeutic procedures also help treat chronic sinusitis without rhinitis. These include Sollux, blue lamp, UHF in the nose, as well as dynamic currents.

In advanced, complex cases, when the outflow of fluid from the nasal sinuses has not been restored and complications have arisen, it is necessary to make a puncture in the sinus area, where drainage is then installed. The sinuses are washed with antiseptic solutions for 4-5 days, after which the runny nose or sinusitis should definitely go away.

Treatment of sinusitis without a runny nose

To develop the correct treatment regimen, you need to make an accurate diagnosis. To collect data, you will need to donate blood from a finger/vein, have an endoscopy or an X-ray of the face. A nasal swab is used to determine the composition of the microflora that caused this condition. The combination of symptoms will allow you to accurately determine the cause of the disease and select medications.

Treatment of sinusitis without a runny nose:

• the use of local or systemic antimicrobial drugs;
• use of vasoconstrictors;
• use of glucocorticosteroid drugs;
• rinsing the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.

Regular rinsing of the nose with the Aqualor product provides significant assistance in alleviating the patient's condition. Natural sea water washes out a large number of microbes from the nasal cavity, thins mucus, which facilitates its evacuation from the sinuses, and moisturizes the mucous membrane. Aqualor can be used in the treatment of sinusitis in children from six months of age.

Folk remedies for the treatment of sinusitis without congestion and runny nose

1. The nose is washed with a solution of water and propolis for 5-8 days in a row, 3 times.
2. Instillation of juice from aloe and Kalanchoe plants into the nose.
3. Infusion of wild rosemary herb. It is infused for 10 days in sunflower oil in a dark place.
4. Clay compress. The clay is stirred in hot water until it forms a thick dough. The warm mixture is spread on gauze or a bandage and applied to the sinuses. Keep the compress for 40-50 minutes, after lubricating the area with oil.
5. An infusion of plantain leaves, lemon balm and lemon grass is an effective folk remedy, dripped 3-4 times daily.

After it has been determined whether sinusitis can occur without a runny nose, it is important not to start the disease, the chronic form of which can only be cured by surgery. But an integrated approach in the form of using folk remedies and medications helps to achieve excellent results.

Treatment of sinusitis

Treatment of this disease can be conservative and surgical.

Conservative treatment

As a rule, if the causes of the disease are not caused by injuries or congenital curvature of the nasal septum, sinusitis is treated with medication. The choice of drugs depends on the reasons for which the disease occurred, as well as on its stage and form. In total, there are 6 groups of medications (including homeopathic ones) that can be prescribed for the treatment of sinusitis.

Antibiotics. Used if the cause of sinusitis is bacteria. You should be aware that interrupting the course of antibiotics or using them for too long reduces the effectiveness of treatment. In the first case, there is a high risk of relapse; in the second, the bacteria adapt to the medicine and it stops working (in this case, doctors prescribe another antibiotic).

Vasoconstrictor drugs. Prescribed to reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa. They also help restore sinus drainage.

Hyposensitizing drugs. They are used if sinusitis appears as a result of allergic reactions.

Mucolytic agents. They are used to liquefy mucous secretions, which facilitates their removal.

Corticosteroids. When treating sinusitis, they are usually used in combination with antibiotics. These are strong anti-inflammatory drugs. Thanks to their effects, swelling of the mucous membrane is reduced and drainage of the nasal sinuses is improved. However, this group of drugs has many contraindications: pregnancy, old age, severe forms of diabetes, peptic ulcers, etc.

Homeopathic medicines. These drugs do not cause addiction or side effects

With proper and timely treatment, the effect of them can occur very quickly, but it is very important that the drug is prescribed by a qualified homeopathic doctor.

Surgery

Despite the fact that not everyone needs surgery to treat sinusitis, there are a number of indications when it is necessary.

These indications include:

1. Blockage of the sinus duct into the nasal cavity. In this case, pus accumulates and begins to put pressure on the walls of the cavity. If it is not evacuated, it may spread to neighboring areas, the palate, orbits, and meninges.
2. Chronic stage of the disease, frequent exacerbations, long course.
3. Abnormal formations in the sinus cavity. They can be either congenital or acquired. Congenital are various bony protrusions and ridges, tumors and cysts. Acquired ones are polyps, adhesions, tumors and cysts. One way or another, all this interferes with normal ventilation and the outflow of mucus from the sinuses.

There are 4 types of operations performed to eliminate these problems:

• puncture or puncture of the sinus;
• Luke-Caldwell operation;
• intranasal antrotomy;
• endoscopic operations.

After the operation, mandatory rehabilitation takes place, which includes regular visits to the doctor, the use of hardware physiotherapy methods, the use of medications, and rinsing the nose. All this is done strictly as prescribed by the attending physician.

Folk remedies

Additional ways to treat sinusitis without a runny nose include folk remedies: wild rosemary, clay compresses, infusion of plantain leaves, lemon balm and lemon grass.

To treat with wild rosemary, take 10 g of herb per half a glass of vegetable oil. The mixture must be mixed thoroughly and allowed to brew for 10 days (the mixture must be stored in a dark place and shaken vigorously every day). When treating, instill three drops into each nasal passage.

A clay compress is one of the simplest methods of treatment. The clay is mixed with hot water to the consistency of thick sour cream. The resulting mixture is wrapped in a bandage or gauze and then applied to the skin in the projection of the maxillary sinuses (on both sides of the nose). The compress lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Infusion of plantain leaves, lemon balm and lemon grass. Take 10 g of each herb per glass of water. The resulting mixture is infused for a day, then filtered. Instill the resulting liquid into the nose, three drops into each nasal passage three times a day.

There are many other folk methods of dealing with sinusitis that occurs without a runny nose, however, it should be remembered that before using any recipe, you should consult a specialist.

Features of the treatment of sinusitis without a runny nose in children

Most often, this disease occurs in teenagers who are prone to allergic edema and suffer from frequent colds. First of all, they need to relieve swelling and open the passages into the sinuses as much as possible. This is done by vasoconstrictor drops and antiallergic sprays.

Antibiotics for severe sinusitis are included in therapy in the form of tablets or suspensions. Antihistamines, tablets or drops are also prescribed for 7-10 days. They effectively pump out pus with a vacuum sinus catheter and at the same time cure the underlying disease - flu, allergies or colds, so that they do not cause even greater complications.

Diagnosis and treatment of sinusitis without a runny nose

It is almost impossible to determine inflammation of the maxillary sinuses on your own. It is necessary to contact an experienced otolaryngologist who is able to recognize the pathological process by certain signs. The doctor should examine the nasal cavity and mucous membranes in order to identify the disease at an early stage.

Diagnostic testing for this inflammation includes procedures such as x-rays, computed tomography and diaphanoscopy. But the procedures are not always carried out, and in cases where the clinical picture is not clear and the symptoms of the disease are not enough.

According to the erroneous opinion, many patients consider sinusitis not dangerous and do not pay due attention to its treatment. If you do not start treatment in time, you can wait for serious consequences to develop with the infection spreading to the brain. This process can provoke sepsis or meningitis. Treatment of severe forms of the disease can be done using surgery or conservative therapy.

Surgery is performed extremely rarely. It is used only after conservative procedures have not given a positive result. The surgeon intervenes when the pathology rapidly progresses or polyps or other formations are found in the paranasal sinuses.

Conservative treatment methods include:

• drugs that reduce fever;
• for severe pain in the head or ears, use painkillers;
• during intoxication, antimicrobial medicinal compounds are prescribed;
• During allergies, antihistamine tablets or ointments are recommended.

The causes of the disease may be hidden in a deviated septum or a strong focus of caries. In this case, these factors must be dealt with in order to recover.

It is necessary to use medications that should improve the outflow of fluids from the maxillary sinuses. In addition, you should address the elimination of edema and improve the general well-being of the patient. In rare cases, folk remedies can also help, but they are not allowed to be used without the doctor’s permission. Since it is necessary to treat sinusitis comprehensively, the use of medicinal herbs alone cannot give the desired effect.

It is important not only to promptly eliminate all the symptoms of this inflammation, but also to carry out preventive measures and strengthen the immune system

Prevention of sinusitis without a runny nose

For colds, it is important to properly and completely cure a runny nose, even if it manifests itself in the form of an allergy. It is especially important to be able to treat acute and sluggish chronic rhinitis, all congenital nasal defects and deviated septum, as well as inflamed adenoids.

To prevent snot from getting into the maxillary sinuses and accumulating there without drainage, you should blow your nose correctly, closing one nostril. To ensure that the medicinal drops reach the nasal passages as intended, it is better to tilt your head back a little when using them.

The cause of chronic inflammation can only be determined by a medical specialist who will prescribe adequate treatment that will not cause harm. It is necessary to constantly eat right, take immunomodulators and multivitamins as needed, and strengthen the body. Allergy sufferers should avoid contact with allergens and take antihistamines during exacerbations.

Prevention of sinusitis

To date, there are no methods that would guarantee complete protection against this disease. And this is an additional reason to carry out regular preventive measures aimed at reducing the risk of sinusitis.

1. One of the most important methods of prevention is to avoid the occurrence of acute respiratory viral infections and seasonal allergic reactions. To do this, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, engage in physical exercise, condition the body, observe the rules of personal hygiene, and ensure sufficient humidity in the room. To combat seasonal allergies, you need to take antihistamines and try to avoid contact with irritants (if you have allergies).
2. If a deviated nasal septum is detected (or occurs as a result of injury), this problem should be corrected in a timely manner.
3. You should constantly monitor your oral health and visit the dentist regularly.

What not to do

Thermal procedures, for example, rolling a hot egg or vodka lotions, which only increase swelling, blocking the outflow of pus and mucus, can harm a person with sinusitis without rhinitis. Baths and saunas are also contraindicated while sinusitis is being treated.

It is forbidden to abuse drops with a vasoconstrictor effect. They are addictive and further increase swelling, drying out the already irritated mucous membrane. Harmful, heavy and fatty foods weaken the immune system and prevent the body from recovering on its own, which should be avoided if the first signs of sinusitis without snot appear.

Can there be sinusitis without a runny nose, pus and congestion?

Due to the anatomical and physiological structure with

The nasal mucosa is exposed to adverse external factors.

A large number of microorganisms that enter the mucous membrane are eliminated by the human immune system, while other, resistant bacteria cause various diseases.

One of these diseases is sinusitis, which can develop in many forms, without a runny nose, congestion and with no discharge from the nasal cavity, which makes it very difficult to independently determine the presence of pathology in the body.

You can find out what “dry sinusitis” is, the reasons for its occurrence and what symptoms it is accompanied by by reading this article.

Distinctive features of a runny nose (rhinitis) from sinusitis

1. Rhinitis is accompanied by an inflammatory process in the nasal cavity, the pathology covers the entire area of ​​the respiratory tract. The disease affects the nasopharynx, paranasal sinuses, and nasal passages. The main symptoms of a runny nose are nasal congestion and discharge of varying consistency.
2. Sinusitis is characterized by inflammation exclusively of the maxillary sinus (maxillary). This disease does not spread to the entire nasal cavity, since the passage connecting the paranasal sinus and the rest of the nose is clogged, as a result of which sinusitis can occur without a runny nose or nasal congestion. The early stages of the disease are practically asymptomatic.

What is the difference between sinusitis and a runny nose?

Another name for a runny nose is rhinitis. This is a condition that is characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane. What does this mean? The disease with rhinitis completely covers the entire space of the upper respiratory tract: the nasopharynx, nasal passages, and equally all the paranasal sinuses.

When you have a runny nose, people complain of a stuffy nose and discharge, which can be of different consistency. How to distinguish sinusitis? It happens that with sinusitis there is no runny nose. How does the disease progress? During sinusitis without a runny nose, the entire opening that connects the sinus to the rest of the nose becomes completely blocked. The disease does not spread, remains and matures almost asymptomatically, especially at the initial stage.

Causes of sinusitis without a runny nose

When a patient exhibits the main symptoms of the pathology, but there is no runny nose or discharge, the causes may be:

• infectious diseases

The manifestation of sinusitis without a runny nose can

indicate improper treatment or “undertreatment” of viral infectious diseases: rubella, measles, influenza. The underlying disease is accompanied by inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane.

The patient's nose becomes blocked, and the passages to the maxillary sinuses are narrowed as much as possible. The outflow of secretions may be disrupted, and fluid accumulates in the sinuses.

At this moment, the manifestations of the underlying disease decrease, which allows the patient to feel better, but after a certain time the main symptoms of sinusitis begin to appear

• dental diseases of the oral cavity

Inflammation can cause

spread of bacteria and microorganisms from the affected tooth to the maxillary sinuses. Diseases such as periodontitis, pulpitis, osteomyelitis, and advanced caries can cause this pathology.

There is also a risk of developing the disease if implants were installed poorly, if multiple dental surgeries were performed, if filling material got into the sinus, if a traumatic tooth extraction occurred, etc.

• atrophy of the nasal mucosa

This pathology can be characterized by gradual death

nerve endings in the mucosa. The latter does not perform its functions; purulent crusts form in the nasal cavity, which has an extremely unpleasant odor.

A person may partially or completely lose the ability to smell and smell. The mucous membrane is completely degraded, which creates ideal conditions for dust particles and pathogenic microbes to enter the body.

The onset of this condition is possible with regular and prolonged infectious diseases.

• mechanical damage

Deformation, mechanical or traumatic damage to the nasal septum can disrupt the natural outflow of secretions and clog the maxillary sinuses.

This process leads to the occurrence of sinusitis, which will occur without a runny nose, congestion or discharge.

Treatment of sinusitis without runny nose and snot

The main task in the treatment of sinusitis is to restore the passage for the outflow of mucus between the sinus and nose, as well as the removal of pus. As a rule, drug therapy is used in combination with alternative medicine.

Reference. Surgery for sinusitis is always prescribed only as a last resort. Doctors try not to resort to it, since during a puncture you can accidentally introduce another infection.

Which doctor treats sinusitis without a runny nose?

ENT specialists deal with pathologies of the mucous membranes of the nose and sinuses. At the first suspicion of an illness, you should immediately contact him, because he knows for sure whether sinusitis can occur without a runny nose, and how the disease manifests itself.

At first, the doctor prescribes antibiotics that have a wide range of actions. These include Amoxicillin, Augmentin, Cefotaxime, Cefazolin, Roxithromycin. As soon as the results of the bacterial test are ready, therapy can be adjusted and narrow action antibiotics can be prescribed.

Local antibacterial agents show good effectiveness without undue influence on other human organs. These drugs include Isofra and Bioparox.

Depending on whether the nose is breathing during sinusitis in adults and children, vasoconstrictor drops based on xylometazoline and naphazoline are prescribed. They clear the maxillary sinuses and reduce the risk of re-blocking the channel for the outflow of fluid.

Attention! Drops for vasoconstriction should not be used for more than 5 days. Otherwise, there is a high risk of medicinal rhinitis due to the habituation of the mucous membrane.

For allergic rhinitis, antihistamines are used: Zodak, Fenistil, Loratadine. Painkillers such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen are needed to relieve pain.

Symptoms accompanying sinusitis without runny nose and congestion

“Dry sinusitis” is characterized by the following symptoms:

1. An increase in body temperature that lasts for several days. The patient may feel chills. In some cases, the temperature may remain at normal levels; this may be due to a weak immune system, taking antibiotics or antipyretics.
2. Pressure in the bridge of the nose. The sensation intensifies when the head is tilted forward.
3. Pain in the nasal area. Gradually their localization expands and pain is felt in other areas of the face. Chewing, talking, changing head position increase the pain syndrome. Discomfort is especially pronounced in the morning; as a rule, by the evening all manifestations subside.
4. Edema. Swelling is typical in the cheeks, eyelids and other parts of the face.
5. Decreased performance, concentration, appetite, general malaise, fatigue, insomnia.

This is what the symptoms of sinusitis look like without a runny nose

The occurrence of sinusitis without a runny nose, discharge and congestion from the nasal passages in children is characterized by the following symptoms:

• discomfort in the nasal cavity, which intensifies in the evening;
• pain in the gums or ears;
• bad breath;
• loss of hearing acuity;
• constant fatigue.

Knowing the symptoms and possible causes of this pathology, you can independently suspect the disease in yourself or your child. At the first doubt, it is recommended to consult a specialist to make an accurate diagnosis. Proper and timely treatment and adherence to recommendations are the key to success!

Can sinusitis occur without a runny nose and nasal congestion?

Purulent discharge and nasal congestion are some of the most striking symptoms of sinusitis. However, it is not at all uncommon for sinusitis to occur without a runny nose. The reason for this is difficulty in the outflow of mucus into the nasal cavity, which can occur due to the structural features of the nose, the formation of polyps or adenoids, or due to severe swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasal passages, as a result of which the outflow of mucus is simply impossible, since there is no lumen.

In this case, the symptoms of sinusitis without a runny nose will be:

• a feeling of fullness and pain in the area of ​​the bridge of the nose (especially when tilting the head);
• unpleasant sensations in the central part of the face while chewing (sometimes while talking);
• photophobia;
• Ear ache.

Not all of these symptoms can be described by children, so parents should pay attention to the following complaints from their child:

• general condition: lethargy, feeling tired;
• restless sleep;
• painful sensations in the ears, congestion;
• labored breathing.
• cough without other signs of a cold.

When such signals from the body occur, it is necessary to immediately contact a specialist, because the disease develops quickly in children and treatment must be carried out in a timely manner.