Acute frontal sinusitis causes excess production of mucus or inflammation of the frontal sinuses. Generally, the frontal sinuses are a pair of miniature, air-filled cavities positioned behind the eyes in the brow area.
What are the causes?
The usual cause is the buildup of mucus due to the sinus inflammation. Furthermore, various factors can affect the mucus produced and the ability to drain the mucus.
The usual causes include the following:
- Viruses – the common cold virus is the usual cause of acute frontal sinusitis.
- Bacteria
- Nasal polyps
- Deviated nasal septum
Use anover-the-counter pain medication to manage the symptoms by acute frontal sinusitis.
What are the signs?
Facial pain bordering the eyes or forehead is the main sign of acute frontal sinusitis. Other signs might vary depending on the type of infection or inflammation such as:
- Inability to smell
- Nasal drainage
- Sensation of pressure behind the eyes
- Sore throat
- Cough that is worse during the night
- Mild or high fever
- Malaise
- Tiredness
- Unpleasant or sour breath
Management of acute frontal sinusitis
Generally, the treatment is based on whether the condition is triggered by bacteria, polyps or another factor.
Since most cases of acute frontal sinusitis are due to a viral infection, the doctor might suggest a nasal spray or decongestant to lessen the inflammation, promote drainage of mucus and alleviate the pressure in the frontal sinuses.
In addition, an over-the-counter pain medication is given to manage the symptoms caused by acute frontal sinusitis. There are cases where antihistamines are also given for their drying effects but overusing them can result to discomfort.
In case the symptoms do not improve within 7-10 days, the cause might be bacterial. The doctor prescribes antibiotics to manage the infection.
Consequently, if a deviated septum is responsible for the acute frontal sinusitis, surgery might be necessary.
FACT CHECK
https://www.healthline.com/health/frontal-sinusitis
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/862292-overview
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acute-sinusitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351671