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The nose nose is an delicate structure with many things that can go wrong.
There are 14 different types of noses and although they look different on the outside, they all function the same on the inside.
According to a Health24 review the nose's main function is to humidify, warm and filter air before it reaches the lungs.
Sinusitis is the inflammation of the tissue lining the sinuses. Understanding how the nose works is important in treating sinusitis. Here are some tips from the above article on when to contact your doctor. Get treatment if:
- Cold symptoms last longer than 10 to 14 days or worsen over time.
- You have a severe headache that is not relieved by acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen or a decongestant.
- There is increased facial swelling or changes in vision.
- Nasal discharge changes from clear to yellow or green after five to seven days of a cold, and other symptoms (such as sinus pain or fever) are worsening. If nasal discharge is coloured from the beginning, call your doctor if it lasts longer than seven to 10 days.
- Facial pain, especially in one sinus area or along the ridge between the nose and lower eyelid, persists after two to four days of home treatment. If you also have a fever and coloured nasal discharge, call your doctor after one to two days.
- Sinusitis symptoms persist after a full course of antibiotics.
Below is a video of what it looks like inside the nose. In this clip Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr Thomas Lamperti uses technology to explain the anatomy of the nose.
