When we get a cold, there is usually difficulty in breathing and swelling which is a serious disease of the nasopharynx. A cyst in the sinuses is one of the frequent causes of such conditions.
What is a cyst in the sinuses?
Contents
The nasopharynx is covered with a mucous membrane form the inside which protects the respiratory system from becoming dry, from dust as well as hypothermia. It has glands that produce mucus. A cyst is normally formed if mucus accumulates inside the gland, hence forming a bubble like fluid.
The cyst is found in the sinuses and is not dangerous. It can not become a malignant formation and cause a serious disease. However, with time, the cysts can block breathing. If it increases in size, it may deform the skull and promote permanent bronchitis and pneumonia.
In most occasions, the cyst is found in the frontal sinuses, which is the region above the nose and eyebrows. In rare cases, it may be found under the wings of the nose, above the upper jaw or under the nose. Several cysts can be formed at the same time. When they are formed above the upper jaw it may be due to conditions related to the teeth and gums. The sinuses and mouth are next to each other and for this reason, they can easily be affected by infections and inflammation.
Such types of tumours always remain benign, but they only disappear after serious medical attention.
Signs and symptoms
The insidiousness of the sinus cyst is that the onset of the disease is similar to the usual ARD. For this reason, treatment may not be started immediately. This can thus cause serious consequences such as nasal cartilage warping and severe ping inflammation, especially if the cyst ruptures.
The following symptoms should cause anxiety:
- It is impossibility to remove the nasal congestion with conventional drugs.
- Prolonged headache
- Pain in the nose, wings of the nose or over the throat, which becomes stronger when you tilt or turn the head.
- A feeling of a foreign body in the nasal passages.
- A light touch in the site where the cyst has been formed causes intense pain.
Once the disease begins, there is normally poor vision and pain in the eyes. Moreover, if the cyst becomes infected for instance from a tooth ache, the symptoms experienced will be similar to those of sinusitis. They include increase in temperature, plying secretions and swelling.
What are the causes of the disease?
Unfortunately, the decisive factor in the development of cysts is heredity. If your parents or older relatives have had such a problem, you need to watch out.
In addition, you need to be careful if:
- You often have colds
- You are constantly in contact with allergens
- You have a problem with your teeth or gums
- You have an altered shape of the facial bones due to a congenital or acquired injury
Even if there is no one in your family history who has had the disease, there are other factors which increase the risk of cyst formation. Therefore in case of a serious attack, ensure that you go for tests and do not make a diagnosis on your own.
Who should you contact if there is a suspicion of a cyst?
If there is suspicion of cysts in the sinuses, you should immediately consult with a otolaryngologist or therapist. After a visual examination, you will undergo a more accurate examination such as X-ray, MRI, CT or endoscopy. Apart from external examination, the latter will immediately take the tissue for further analysis.
Moreover, in some cases you may require check-up from a dentist. This is because the cause of the disease may be tooth decay or periodontitis which when ignored, will continue to cause the cysts.
Treatment and prevention
If you are at risk, you can delay the onset of the disease in very simple ways:
- Treat all diseases related to the nasopharynx on time whether it is a cold or pain in the teeth.
- Strengthen the immune system by eating a healthy diet, breathing fresh air and having healthy sleep.
- Avoid harmful substances such as tobacco, solvents, household chemicals and paints.
- If you have allergies that are unavoidable, you should regularly take antihistamines.
It is only a specialist who can decide on the best method of treatment. You may be given prescribed drugs that will relive inflammation, swelling and fight the infection. The cyst may also be removed if it causes pain and discomfort.
You should not self medicate as it can increase the size of the cyst. You should also not consume traditional remedies.
After undergoing treatment successfully, you should visit an otolaryngologist regularly because the disease may relapse. However, adopting the right lifestyle and having timely treatment of ARD and tooth decay reduces the chances of getting cysts.
0 Comments