Should sinusitis use hot compress or cold compress?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Generally speaking, neither cold nor hot compresses are necessary for sinusitis, because sinusitis is mainly an acute or chronic bacterial infection of the sinuses. Common symptoms include nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, and reduced sense of smell. Some people may also experience headaches and dizziness. The main treatment is still medication, and it is also possible to consider rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution, regular follow-ups, and if the inflammation is severe, sinus opening surgery may need to be considered, which currently mainly involves endoscopic sinus surgery. Overall, neither hot nor cold compresses have a therapeutic effect on sinusitis, so they are not recommended.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can sinusitis cause a fever?

Sinusitis may cause fever, but this is mainly seen in acute sinusitis or during the acute flare-ups of chronic sinusitis, which relatively tends to provoke a fever. If it is just a mild case of sinusitis or plain chronic sinusitis, most patients do not experience significant fever changes, but they might have symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, headaches, dizziness, and a decrease in the sense of smell. When experiencing a fever, it is important to visit an otolaryngology department as soon as possible where you might consider undergoing a routine blood test to check the extent of the inflammatory response. Most patients will need to consider antibiotic treatment for the infection. If the body temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, there may be a need to consider antipyretic medications. If the fever is below 38.5 degrees, physical cooling measures are generally recommended, but it is necessary to regularly reassess and monitor the temperature, selecting targeted treatments based on the fluctuations of the condition. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can sinusitis cause headaches?

Sinusitis, now commonly referred to as sinusitis, is primarily caused by purulent secretions from bacterial infections that irritate structures, leading to symptoms such as toxic headaches and dizziness. During sinusitis, blockage of the sinus openings can cause negative pressure within the sinus cavity, which may also lead to pressurized headaches. Additionally, if sinusitis is accompanied by hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates or a deviated nasal septum, it can stimulate a nerve reflex causing neuralgic headaches. Therefore, it is certain that clinical sinusitis or paranasal sinusitis can cause headaches.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How to check for sinusitis?

The examination for sinusitis is mainly divided into three major categories. The first category is visual inspection. The second is endoscopic examination, and the third is radiologic examination. Visual inspection mainly involves directly observing with the naked eye the mucosa inside the nasal cavity, the inferior turbinate, and assessing the presence of thick nasal mucus. For some patients, a basic diagnosis can be made through visual inspection alone. However, for other patients whose conditions are not very clear, it becomes necessary to use endoscopic examinations, such as nasal endoscopy or fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy, to visually inspect the interior of the nasal cavity and the nasopharynx for any abnormalities. If the inflammation is severe and conservative medical treatment is ineffective, it may also be necessary to consider a CT scan of the sinuses to make a clearer and more accurate diagnosis.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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How to treat sinusitis?

In clinical practice, the treatment for sinusitis depends on the patient's symptoms, whether it is acute or chronic sinusitis, and whether there are any complications associated with acute sinusitis. Generally, for sinusitis, the main treatment involves the local use of nasal corticosteroids sprays such as mometasone furoate. Additionally, oral anti-inflammatory drugs are used, mainly macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin and clarithromycin. Some Chinese patent medicines that open orifices aromatically can also be used, such as Bi Tong Jing Granules and Dan Xiang Bi Yan Tablets, to provide auxiliary treatment. Of course, a CT scan of the sinuses can also be performed to assess the extent of the lesion and determine if the problem can be resolved through surgery. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of recurrent sinusitis

The symptoms of recurrent sinusitis are essentially the same as those of sinusitis itself. Symptoms can be divided into local symptoms, which are those of the nasal cavity, as well as some systemic symptoms, because the recurrence of sinusitis often follows a cold that leads to an acute recurrence. The nasal symptoms mainly include nasal discharge, primarily consisting of yellow pus-like mucus. There may also be nasal congestion or a sensation of the nose being blocked, as well as headaches. The location and severity of the headache depend on which sinus is more severely inflamed, which also affects where the headache is felt. Additionally, there may be a disturbance in the sense of smell, which refers to a reduced sensitivity to smells, or a reduced ability to smell or weak sense of smell. Systemic symptoms mainly include lethargy, feelings of headache and weakness, lack of concentration, and a general lack of energy. Overall, the symptoms of recurrent sinusitis are similar to those of initial sinusitis, with most being the same.