Weakness after sinusitis

Posted on by admin

Consequences of advanced sinusitis in adults and children

Patients of an otolaryngologist who have experience in treating sinusitis will never confuse its symptoms with another disease. A painful headache and pain in the nose, forehead and cheekbones, aggravated by tilting the head, chills due to high temperature, cloudy discharge with an unpleasant odor, and the inability to breathe through the nose bring the patient many negative sensations.

Table of contents:

If sinusitis leads to complications, their consequences can make a person disabled and lead to death.

Why shouldn’t you let sinusitis take its course?

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the maxillary sinuses, special air cavities. They are located in close proximity to the eye orbits, the oral cavity and nose, the membranes of the brain, and communicate with the middle ear.

The proximity of the maxillary sinuses and large blood vessels, the infraorbital and maxillary nerves accelerate the development of complications and the spread of infection.

Not knowing whether sinusitis is dangerous, the patient may not treat acute inflammation, thereby starting a chronic process. The disease proceeds in waves, periods of remission alternate with periods of exacerbation, because the source of infection still exists in the sinuses and is activated by any hypothermia or fatigue.

It is difficult to call a system of the human body insured against the consequences of this disease. The meninges, nerves and blood vessels, the genitourinary and respiratory systems, the organs of vision and hearing - all these vital structures can become targets for the inflammatory process during sinusitis, regardless of its form.

Causes of complications

Inflammation of the maxillary sinuses is one of the most common diseases of the respiratory system. In most cases, a course of treatment carried out under the guidance of an ENT doctor is sufficient for a complete recovery. However, the possibility of complications of sinusitis in adults and children still exists.

Reasons for the spread of inflammation:

The difficulty of differentiating sinusitis from other diseases of the respiratory system, in particular from rhinitis. The symptoms of these pathologies are similar, and the treatment regimens for the diseases are radically different from each other.

The diagnosis is made accurately, but the cause of the disease is not determined, so inadequate treatment is used. Sinusitis can be caused by both bacteria and viruses, against which antibiotics are not effective.

The doctor’s prescriptions are not followed, or the drugs are independently replaced with ineffective analogues, the patient is addicted to treatment with traditional recipes.

The course of therapy was not completed, that is, the symptoms disappeared, but the danger of sinusitis did not disappear due to the persistence of the source of infection.

The body is weakened due to immunodeficiency that arose after a long illness, as a result of pregnancy, due to chronic stress or complications of an existing somatic disease.

Incorrect tactics of blowing nasal secretions, which contributes to the transfer of infection to the middle ear.

So that the consequences of sinusitis in adults and children are not taken by surprise, you need to have information about the main symptoms of complications and their diagnosis.

Why is sinusitis dangerous?

It is customary to divide the disease into purulent and catarrhal forms. In the purulent form of sinusitis, the contents of the sinus are filled with bacteria; in the catarrhal form, the discharge is ordinary mucus.

In addition to the formation of pus, polyps can form in the sinuses, and atrophic and hyperplastic processes can occur. All these pathological processes create consequences of varying severity for the body.

The development of inflammation of the middle ear is facilitated by the anatomy of the Eustachian tube. Through a wide and short channel, the infection easily penetrates from the pharynx into the middle ear cavity. Symptoms of otitis media:

  • Ear congestion;
  • Shooting pains;
  • Hearing impairment;
  • Temperature increase.

The diagnosis can be made by an ENT doctor through a visual examination using an otoscope. If left untreated, it can lead to meningoencephalitis.

Meningitis

The greatest danger is inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord. The spread of infection occurs through structures close to the site of inflammation (bone tissue), as well as through the circulatory system (hematogenously).

Symptoms of purulent meningitis:

  • Temperature jumps from 36 to 40 degrees;
  • Unbearable headache leading to nausea and vomiting;
  • Impaired consciousness, delirium, sometimes hallucinations;
  • Visual impairment due to close proximity to the optic nerve.

The dynamics of the deterioration of the disease are so rapid that the patient can fall into a coma almost within a day. Treatment of the pathology is carried out in the infectious diseases department of the hospital, using highly effective antibacterial drugs, corticosteroids, and intravenous infusions of drugs.

If the disease progresses, meningococcemia develops, leading to death in 80% of cases. Its characteristic symptom is red spider veins on the legs and buttocks.

Orbital abscess and conjunctivitis

The eyes are located in close proximity to the maxillary sinuses. The fatty tissue of the orbit is an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria. Knowing how dangerous sinusitis is for the organ of vision, you can avoid serious complications and even loss of vision. The most common consequence of this disease is an abscess of the orbit.

Symptoms of purulent inflammation of the orbit:

  • Swelling of the eyelids;
  • Redness of the skin;
  • Acute conjunctivitis;
  • Soreness in the eye area;
  • With hyperthermia, exophthalmos develops (displacement of the eyeball with protruding eyes);
  • Inactivity of the eyeball, pain with any movement.

To diagnose an abscess, an x-ray of the periorbital region is performed.

Bronchitis and pneumonia

Complications after sinusitis, such as inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, arise due to the spread of infection with inhaled air.

Symptoms of bronchitis and pneumonia:

  • Coughing turning into an intense wet cough;
  • Symptoms of intoxication (fever, weakness);
  • Dyspnea.
To clarify the diagnosis, an X-ray of the lungs, bacterial culture of sputum, and listening to the chest are performed. Therapy for such complications consists of prescribing antibiotics, antispasmodics, expectorants, inhalations and physiotherapy.

Sepsis

There are extremely dangerous conditions that occur during severe inflammation of the maxillary sinuses. Sepsis is what makes bacterial sinusitis dangerous in an advanced form of the inflammatory process.

For the development of blood poisoning, it is necessary that, in addition to prolonged infection, the patient’s immunity is sharply reduced. In this case, pathogenic microorganisms spread throughout the body through the bloodstream.

  • A sharp and strong increase in temperature for a long time;
  • Dehydration;
  • Impaired consciousness;
  • Weakness;
  • Chills;
  • A sharp drop in blood pressure, a decrease in temperature, and absence of reflexes - with the development of shock.

If resuscitation is delayed, sepsis is fatal.

Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve

Between the wall of the maxillary sinus and the second branch of the trigeminal nerve there is a thin mucous membrane through which infection easily penetrates.

Symptoms of trigeminal neuritis:

  • Pain in the temple, back of the head, orbit;
  • lacrimation;
  • Redness of the skin of the cheeks and conjunctiva of the eyes;
  • Runny nose;
  • Irradiation of pain into the arm, chest.

In the area of ​​innervation of the affected nerve, skin sensitivity increases.

Angina

Purulent discharge, flowing down the wall of the pharynx from the anastomosis of the maxillary sinuses, easily reaches the adenoids. Pathogenic bacteria multiply, the infection spreads to the tonsils and causes acute tonsillitis.

Sore throat takes a severe course; the lack of nasal breathing due to chronic nasal congestion creates excessive stress on the tonsils, which further aggravates the patient’s condition.

Osteoperiostitis

If the treatment of sinusitis is not carried out effectively, and the purulent process in the maxillary cavities lasts long enough, inflammation of the bone tissue begins.

  • Swelling of the cheeks;
  • Swelling of the lower eyelids;
  • Pain in the gums of the upper jaw;
  • Purulent inflammation of the gums.

Inflammation of the bones of the facial part of the skull in children occurs in the form of osteomyelitis of the upper jaw.

Treatment of all complications without exception is carried out under the guidance of a doctor and with strict adherence to his recommendations. Knowing how dangerous acute sinusitis is and how to treat it, you can avoid dangerous consequences for life and health.

The reason for the transition from acute to chronic form is the lack of proper and complete treatment of sinusitis. Often, even after seeing a doctor, patients ignore important parts of treatment - rinsing, taking antibiotics.

What operations are there for sinusitis?

Antibiotics as a treatment for sinusitis

How to avoid a puncture if you are very scared?

Technique for performing acupressure massage for sinusitis

How to treat sinusitis for pregnant women?

Traditional recipes for the treatment of sinusitis

How is sinusitis pierced, and what is the danger?

Drops and sprays effective for sinusitis and runny nose

Source: http://gaimoritus.ru/lechenie/oslozhneniya-gajmorita.html

Complications and consequences of sinusitis

Complications after sinusitis can be quite serious, since the source of inflammation is located next to vital organs. You can avoid undesirable consequences by promptly recognizing the symptoms of the disease and immediately contacting a doctor.

Why is it dangerous?

The inflammatory process, localized in the maxillary sinuses, can occur in adults and children, since in most cases the cause of its development is an infectious lesion of the nasal cavity and sinuses due to previous respiratory viral diseases. Less commonly, the disease is preceded by a bacterial infection. As a rule, bacterial sinusitis develops with exacerbation of chronic ENT pathologies - adenoid growths, sore throat, runny nose. Sinusitis promotes inflammation of the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinuses, which, if the immune system reacts inadequately or in the absence of timely treatment, leads to the development of a purulent process.

The most common symptoms accompanying the disease include:

  • pain in the head area;
  • difficulty breathing through the nose;
  • temperature increase;
  • general malaise.

Normally occurring sinusitis does not pose a serious danger. However, when the symptomatic manifestations of the disease are characterized by complete obstruction of the sinus anastomosis, the presence of purulent exudate in the sinuses, and the transition of the inflammatory process to the bone and periosteum, the consequences of sinusitis can be very disappointing.

The main danger of the disease, when its course is advanced, is the possible spread of infection to neighboring vital organs.

Causes of complications

Modern medicine today is quite well developed, so the development of complications in adults and children is becoming less and less common. Until the age of 7, due to the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the respiratory organs, sinusitis is quite rare. Older children are susceptible to the disease, just like adults.

The human immune system can cope with sinusitis of a viral nature, but in the absence of adequate support, in the form of drug treatment, the body’s defenses lose ground, thereby provoking the development of a purulent process.

Factors predisposing to the development of complications:

  • disturbances of immunological reactivity;
  • incorrect treatment, or lack of treatment at all;
  • sinusitis caused by severe flu;
  • abnormalities in the development of the paranasal sinuses;
  • frequent and strong blowing of the nose, which causes the spread of pathogenic bacteria into the middle ear or Eustachian tube.

Almost all complications are caused by infectious damage to neighboring organs and tissues. With the exception of a chronic inflammatory process in the sinuses, which recurs after each respiratory illness, due to hypothermia and exposure to other unfavorable factors. Chronic sinusitis is more dangerous for the development of complications than the acute stage of the disease.

Chronization of the process

Chronicity of the inflammatory process is one of the complications of the standard course of sinusitis. The transition of the disease to a chronic form threatens the development of unpleasant and serious consequences. This phenomenon, unfortunately, happens quite often, since it is quite difficult to recognize the disease at the initial stage of development. It is not always possible to distinguish sinusitis from a common cold or a prolonged runny nose.

The pathological process is characterized by the following clinical picture:

  • concerned about severe nasal congestion and thick nasal secretion;
  • general malaise and weakness appear;
  • there is a prolonged increase in body temperature;
  • periodically there are pain sensations in the frontal part of the head;
  • there is a specific smell in the nasal cavity.

Patients suffering from a chronic form of sinusitis are usually bothered by one-sided nasal congestion, due to the localization of the inflammatory process.

Complications

Often the consequence of sinusitis is the spread of infection to the larynx, nasopharynx, bronchi or lungs. This phenomenon is especially often observed during a relapse of a chronic inflammatory process provoked by colds.

ENT organs

Most often, complications from the ENT organs are manifested by the following diseases:

  1. An infectious-inflammatory process that has spread to other paranasal sinuses (frontal, ethmoidal labyrinth, sphenoid);
  2. Inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsil;
  3. Bronchitis, pneumonia;
  4. Angina;
  5. Otitis;

The otolaryngologist, after treatment of sinusitis, usually prescribes a second appointment in order to promptly detect symptoms and the first signs of other ENT pathologies.

Vision

Complications from the organs of vision can be of varying severity - from mild swelling of the retina to purulent processes in the soft tissues of the orbit. Most often, this kind of consequences occurs in young children, since their body’s protective barriers do not work at full capacity. With purulent sinusitis, the outflow of inflammatory exudate is significantly impaired, which can cause inflammation to spread to the orbit.

Symptoms of this process manifest themselves as follows:

  • pain appears when pressing on the eye socket;
  • there is swelling and redness of the eyelids;
  • Visual function may be impaired.

In the absence of purulent discharge, the temperature may not rise, and the general condition will remain unchanged.

Sinusitis can cause more serious diseases, the consequences of which are dangerous to human life. Among them, the most common are:

Meningitis

Very often, due to the lack of timely treatment, sinusitis becomes chronic. The symptomatic picture of the chronic process is poorly expressed, and therefore the disease often remains without proper attention. A hidden infection in the sinuses can lead to inflammation of the brain - meningitis. Meningitis is accompanied by: headache, photophobia, fever. Although meningitis is treatable, local delivery of drugs is extremely difficult, and identifying the nature of meningitis can take a long time. Therefore, it is very important not to delay going to the doctor at the first suspicion of meningitis. Modern medicine very successfully treats all types of meningitis only if it is diagnosed in a timely manner;

Osteomyelitis

An inflammatory process localized in the bone. This phenomenon occurs when inflammation passes from the mucous membrane directly into the bone tissue. A very serious pathological condition that threatens a number of serious complications. In the normal course, the disease can be treated with antibacterial agents; in severe cases, surgical intervention may be prescribed;

Sepsis

This is a blood infection caused by the penetration of putrefactive bacteria into it. The main danger of this condition is due to the close localization of the source of inflammation to the brain. However, it is worth noting that this kind of complication with sinusitis is extremely rare.

With timely diagnosis and proper treatment, complications of sinusitis are not observed. Therefore, the disease should not be ignored; at the first alarming symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Source: http://nasmorklechit.ru/gajmority/oslozhneniya.html

Complications and consequences of sinusitis

In the absence of adequate treatment or its premature cessation, sinusitis most often becomes chronic. Due to swelling, a large amount of mucus and pus accumulates in the cavity of the maxillary sinuses, which are the optimal environment for the development of pyogenic bacteria. And their presence, in turn, provokes the formation of new secretions. As a result, a vicious circle arises that seriously complicates treatment.

The focus of inflammation in sinusitis is located in close proximity to other ENT organs, eyes and brain, as well as adjacent nerves and vessels. Therefore, the infection can easily spread to other organs and tissues and lead to severe complications.

Complications after sinusitis are divided into four main groups:

1. Complications on the eyes and vision.

2. Complications on the ENT organs and respiratory system.

3. Complications on the brain.

4. Complications on distant organ systems and tissues.

Complications of the eyes (osteoperiostitis)

In the chronic form of sinusitis, pus and mucus remain in the sinuses for a long time and can penetrate through the adjacent partitions of bone tissue, as a result of which the inflammation spreads to other organs. This is precisely the mechanism by which an orbital abscess occurs.

The anatomical structure of the orbit is such that the eyeball is surrounded by deposits consisting of fatty tissue, which are an ideal environment for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.

Symptoms of orbital abscess:

  • swelling of the eyelids;
  • redness of the skin around the eyes;
  • acute conjunctivitis;
  • pain in the eye area;
  • exophthalmos (displacement and protrusion of the eyeball).

In addition, the mobility of the eyeball sharply decreases; any movement causes pain to the patient.

If left untreated, an orbital abscess can lead to complete loss of vision. Diagnosis is carried out by performing radiography.

Complications on the ENT organs and respiratory system

Complications affecting the ENT organs and respiratory system include the following diseases:

  • progression of acute sinusitis into a chronic form;
  • acute and chronic inflammation of the tonsils;
  • bronchitis and pneumonia;
  • transition of unilateral sinusitis to another sinus;
  • inflammation of the Eustachian tube and middle ear (otitis, eustachitis);
  • adenoiditis and polyps.

Transition of sinusitis to the chronic stage

If, after treatment of an acute form of sinusitis, the main symptoms do not disappear, we can confidently say that sinusitis has entered the chronic stage.

This can happen for several reasons, such as ignoring the doctor’s recommendations, untimely treatment or its premature termination, weakened immunity, the presence of other concomitant diseases of the ENT organs, as well as the presence of diseases of the cardiovascular system or respiratory tract in the patient, causing shortness of breath and hypoxia.

Due to constant swelling of the sinus mucosa, the patient is forced to breathe through the mouth. Breathing through the mouth is harmful because the air entering the body through the mouth does not undergo the necessary filtration, which is why pathogenic microbes enter the body.

In addition, unhumidified air dries the mucous membrane and damages it, creating an optimal environment for bacteria.

Thus, the infection enters the nasopharynx, bronchi and lungs in two ways: from the outside and from the source of inflammation in the sinuses, which greatly increases the risk of developing diseases.

Adenoiditis and tonsillitis

With a constant inflammatory process, the walls of the nasal passages thicken (this is called hypertrophy), first due to mucus accumulating on them, later benign tumor-like bodies - polyps - can appear on them, which further complicates the passage of the nasal passages.

In the pharynx, the tonsils, consisting of lymphoid tissue, take the blow, the main function of which is to delay infection entering the body through the oral cavity.

Due to the complex branched structure of the tonsils, infection that comes with pus can linger in the tonsils, which leads to acute inflammation - sore throat, characterized by high fever, severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing and other unpleasant symptoms.

With a prolonged inflammatory process, tonsillitis develops. This disease is accompanied by suppuration and a strong increase in size of the tonsils. In severe cases, the only treatment option is surgical removal of the tonsils.

Bronchitis and pneumonia

Almost always, due to poor airway patency due to inflammation, sinusitis is accompanied by a symptom such as drainage of mucus and purulent discharge along the back wall of the nasopharynx. This contributes to the downward spread of infection, as a result of which pathogenic bacteria can penetrate the bronchi and lungs.

As a result, bronchitis or pneumonia may develop. If the inflammatory process affects the pleura, pleurisy or pleuropneumonia develops. Respiratory diseases are very difficult to tolerate. They are accompanied by general intoxication of the body and high fever; in addition, they are difficult to treat, especially when complicated by sinusitis.

Otitis and eustachitis

The Eustachian (auditory) tube is a canal located deep in the temporal bone and connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx. If there is an inflammatory process in the nasopharynx, through it the infection can easily enter the middle ear.

This is facilitated by the process of blowing the nose, in which mucus and pus under pressure enter the auditory tube. The result is inflammation of the middle ear - otitis media.

Otitis may be accompanied by ear congestion, acute pain and purulent discharge. The case when, as a result of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the middle ear, the function of the auditory tube is disrupted is called eustachitis.

Complications on the brain and spinal cord

If the patient’s immunity is severely weakened, then the purulent form of sinusitis can cause inflammation of the soft membranes of the brain and spinal cord - meningitis.

There are two ways through which the infection is transmitted from the sinuses to other organs: contact (through bone tissue) and non-contact (through infected blood).

Meningitis is a very dangerous disease with a high mortality rate. Its diagnosis requires serious laboratory tests (for example, analysis of cerebrospinal fluid).

However, meningitis progresses so quickly that there is no time to wait for test results - the patient’s condition can become critical within a day. Therefore, at the first signs of meningitis, the patient is urgently hospitalized.

  • temperature jumps from 36 to 39–40 °C;
  • severe headache to the point of nausea and vomiting;
  • delirium, hallucinations, clouding of consciousness;
  • disturbances or partial loss of vision.

The extreme form of meningitis is meningococcemia, which is fatal in 80% of cases. The disease manifests itself in a rash of pigments on the legs and buttocks, resembling stars in shape, which gradually rise to the body.

If meningitis is suspected, the patient is treated in hospital with antibiotics and corticosteroids. The patient is constantly on a drip.

Damage to internal organs

Being a constant source of infection, inflamed maxillary sinuses can cause complications in distant organs and tissues. The infection, spreading through the blood and lymph, can cause damage to the joints, heart muscle, and kidneys.

Against the background of general intoxication, the body cannot effectively fight the infection, so there is a gradual destruction of articular cartilage, kidney damage (glomerulonephritis), and the heart valves also suffer.

Blood poisoning (sepsis)

The most severe complication of sinusitis is sepsis. If there is a constant source of infection in the body, sepsis can occur due to a sharp decrease in immunity. As a result of infection entering the blood, the inflammatory process spreads to all organs and tissues. The patient's condition is rapidly deteriorating.

Symptoms of blood poisoning are:

  • a sharp increase in temperature (the temperature remains very high and cannot be brought down for a long time);
  • dehydration;
  • delirium, impaired consciousness;
  • severe chills;
  • weakness;
  • shock, loss of reflexes;
  • a drop in temperature and blood pressure below acceptable standards.

Treatment of sepsis is carried out urgently, but even this often leads to death.

People often neglect the treatment of sinusitis, because in the early stages it can easily be confused with ordinary rhinitis or ARVI. The process of treating sinusitis requires a long time and strict adherence to the doctor’s instructions, so many patients rush to complete treatment before the time prescribed by the specialist.

Harmless at first glance, sinusitis can become a transition stage for the development of much more serious diseases, many of which are fatal.

To avoid serious consequences, at the first symptoms of sinusitis you should consult a doctor.

Source: http://moylor.ru/nos/gaimorit/oslozhneniya/

JMedic.ru

Sinusitis is a very unpleasant disease, the symptoms of which in themselves worsen a person’s quality of life. The disease requires long and, to be honest, expensive treatment. And such sometimes necessary procedures as puncture and “cuckoo” literally plunge some into horror. Therefore, people often neglect to see a doctor and prefer to treat inflammation of the maxillary sinuses on their own. But inappropriate medications and questionably effective traditional medicine often lead to sinusitis taking an advanced form, complications and other negative consequences may arise both for the respiratory system and for the entire body as a whole.

Treating complications caused by an inflammatory process in the maxillary sinuses will require even more time, effort and money than fighting the disease itself.

Why does sinusitis cause complications?

Most often, sinusitis in adults and children is of an infectious nature. It is provoked by viruses, fungi and bacteria. As soon as the first symptoms of the disease appear, the source of infection is localized in the maxillary sinuses themselves. As the disease progresses, if left untreated, the infection spreads to other tissues and organs. This can happen if:

  1. The person did not recognize sinusitis. Its symptoms are sometimes very similar to those of ordinary rhinitis. But the treatment should be fundamentally different. Inflammation of the maxillary sinuses is diagnosed in an advanced stage, when negative consequences for the body have already occurred.
  2. The diagnosis of “sinusitis” has already been made, but the cause of its occurrence has been established incorrectly. Treatment may be inadequate (for example, inflammation of the maxillary sinuses of viral etiology is treated with antibiotics).
  3. The patient neglects the prescriptions made by the attending physician.
  4. The patient does not complete the course of treatment. Symptoms of sinusitis may fade, but the source of infection has not yet been extinguished.
  5. The patient is in a state of immunodeficiency; even with proper treatment, his body is not able to cope with the disease.

What can inflammation of the maxillary sinuses lead to?

All complications and consequences of an advanced inflammatory process in the maxillary sinuses can be divided into three groups:

  1. Acute sinusitis will become chronic.
  2. Complications from the respiratory system will arise.
  3. Complications will arise from other organs and systems of the body.

The consequences from each of these groups need to be considered in more detail.

Chronication of the inflammatory process in the maxillary sinuses

Pathological process in the maxillary sinus

The symptoms of acute sinusitis are vivid. As a rule, it is accompanied by an increase in temperature. If it is not treated or treated incorrectly, after a week or two, changing symptoms may indicate a chronic inflammatory process. Nasal congestion increases, the sense of smell is lost, and vision may decrease. Headaches of varying intensity are felt almost all the time. Due to impaired respiratory function and severe hypoxia, consequences for the cardiovascular and nervous systems may occur. If inflammation of the maxillary sinuses has become chronic, its treatment will be adjusted by a doctor.

Respiratory effects

It is known that the nose performs a protective function. If a person breathes through it, the inhaled air will be partially cleared of dust, harmful impurities and pathogens. It is known that if a person is healthy, his nasal secretions have bactericidal properties. In addition, the air is humidified and warmed.

If inflammation in the maxillary sinuses is not treated or is done incorrectly, and symptoms such as nasal congestion and excessive discharge from it are not eliminated, negative consequences for the respiratory system can occur both due to infection and due to disruption of the functions performed by the nose. The larynx, bronchi and lungs become open to infection from the outside. Therefore, sinusitis, if its treatment is not undertaken, gives such complications to the respiratory system as:

In this case, it will be necessary to treat both the sinusitis itself and the disease as a consequence.

Complications in the form of inflammation spreading to other paranasal sinuses and the middle ear are also common.

All four paired sinuses are located in close proximity to each other, they are connected to each other. If the infection is localized in one of them, there is a risk of it spreading to others. First of all, inflammation can affect the ethmoid labyrinth and frontal sinuses; sinusitis will be complemented by ethmoiditis and frontal sinuses, respectively. If all the sinuses become inflamed at the same time, the doctor will diagnose “pansinusitis,” and its symptoms are an almost complete absence of nasal breathing, intense headaches, high fever and other signs of intoxication of the body. Treatment of acute pansinusitis will most likely have to be done in a hospital.

You can suspect that sinusitis has caused complications in the middle ear if the patient discovers symptoms such as:

  • ear congestion;
  • shooting or aching pain in or around the ear that becomes more intense at night;
  • discharge from the ear canal.

Otitis media occurs when an infection from the nasopharynx spreads to the Eustachian tube and middle ear.

Consequences of inflammation of the maxillary sinuses from other organs and systems of the body

Complications of sinusitis are especially dangerous if the infection spreads beyond the respiratory system. Through the bloodstream, it can affect almost all organs and systems of the human body. In adults and children, the most dangerous consequences of untreated inflammation of the maxillary sinuses are:

1. Meningitis

The main reason for its appearance is purulent meningitis. Due to the anatomical proximity of the maxillary sinuses, middle ear and meninges, infection from the former can affect the latter. You should sound the alarm and call an ambulance immediately if a patient with sinusitis develops the following symptoms:

  • intense headache;
  • very high temperature that does not go down;
  • pale skin;
  • headache, dizziness;
  • disturbance of consciousness up to its loss;
  • specific neurological signs (photophobia, sound fear, etc.);
  • vomit;
  • convulsions.

Meningitis can only be treated in a hospital setting. The treatment is very difficult, it must be undertaken immediately, because with this disease, minutes and hours count. The risk of death in adults and children is very high. The disease often ends in disability.

2. Encephalitis

Inflammation of the brain will be a consequence of sinusitis if the infection has spread not only to its membranes, but also to the substance itself.

3. Myocarditis, nephritis, inflammation of other internal organs

With advanced sinusitis, pathogenic microorganisms with lymph and blood can enter the heart, liver, kidneys, intestines, muscles and joints. Eliminating secondary foci of infection is extremely difficult and not always possible. If the prognosis for acute sinusitis in adults and children is usually favorable, recovery occurs in 2-3 weeks, the same cannot be said about secondary infections. The mortality rate from such complications is quite high.

4. Sepsis

Perhaps the worst thing that can happen if inflammation of the maxillary sinuses is not treated in time is blood poisoning. It occurs when several organs or all of them become secondarily infected.

The patient's condition worsens and the following appear:

  • fever accompanied by chills;
  • signs of dehydration;
  • general weakness;
  • disturbance of consciousness;
  • signs of hypotension.

The condition will worsen if resuscitation measures are not taken. The probability of death with sepsis is more than 50%.

Both doctors and the media urge not to underestimate the seriousness of sinusitis itself and its possible consequences. It is necessary to take care of your own health and, at the first suspicion of inflammation of the maxillary sinuses, consult a doctor for adequate medical care.

Live healthy with Elena Malysheva

A prolonged runny nose led to sinusitis. An extremely unpleasant disease. I had to wash my nose every day and take an antibiotic. Cinnabsin tablets helped a lot. They cleared up nasal congestion in a few days, and also relieved inflammation. Now I treat my child’s runny nose with these tablets, I hope it doesn’t turn into sinusitis.

Source: http://jmedic.ru/o-gajmorite/gajmorit-oslozhneniya-i-posledstviya.html

Why you can’t start sinusitis: a little about the consequences

Sinusitis is primarily a purulent process, if we consider it from the point of view of complications, with all the “ensuing” consequences. Unlike viral infections, pus tends to spread and destroy the very structure of the tissue. Advanced sinusitis is fraught not only with inflammation of neighboring organs and tissues (this goes without saying), but also with the melting of the skull bones themselves, with the formation of purulent sequestration, damage to the eye sockets and brain.

The situation is aggravated by the calm attitude of patients and some doctors towards this disease. Patients get used to decreased vitality, constant fatigue, and headaches. Doctors, in turn, make everyone’s favorite “vegetative-vascular dystonia”, “chronic fatigue” and other pseudo-diagnoses.

Anatomical features of the course of sinusitis

Structure of the disease area

Sinusitis often begins with viral infections, but then, in almost 100% of cases, bacteria penetrate the sinus. Viruses prepare an ideal “platform” for the life of pathogenic bacterial flora, since local immunity in the sinuses is quite weak, this is due to the anatomically simple structure of the sinuses. Having taken root, the infection circulates in the body for years, and sometimes throughout life, becoming more active during periods of immunodeficiency, trauma and shock.

The process is further aggravated by frequent blockage of the openings through which the sinuses communicate with the nasal cavity. In this case, pus accumulates, and the symptoms of sinusitis increase, including severe pain and intoxication. With weakened local immunity, the process easily invades one sinus after another, forming purulent polysinusitis, i.e. a condition in which all air sinuses are affected simultaneously.

Complications of acute sinusitis

Acute untreated sinusitis rapidly turns into a chronic form of the disease. Sinusitis with annual (at least 3 times) episodes is considered chronic. The patient may suffer from nasal congestion and headaches all year round. The child exhibits signs of hypoxia, fatigue, school performance decreases, and intelligence decreases.

Quite often, sinusitis progresses uncontrollably during adolescence. A gloomy appearance and vague complaints about decreased vitality are often attributed to the characteristics of age.

The process gradually spreads to all air sinuses, i.e. polysinusitis is formed.

After some time, more severe purulent complications in the form of meningitis may develop.

The acute form of sinusitis in combination with immunodeficiency can lead to serious and sometimes fatal consequences in the absence of adequate and timely treatment.

Complications of acute sinusitis in the photo

Complications of chronic sinusitis

The constant circulation of infection in the body leads to its spread and the following complications: inflammatory processes form in the tonsils, pharynx, trachea and bronchi.

Respiratory complications of chronic sinusitis

Constant, protracted respiratory diseases cause the development of HIV-unassociated immunodeficiency, with all the accompanying troubles: constant viral diseases, progression of all inflammatory processes, fungal infections of the skin and genital organs.

AIDS in patients leads to frequent pneumonia, including atypical pneumonia. In this condition, the patient becomes a target for severe pathologies, which often ends in death.

Complications from other organs and systems

Kidney damage. Chronic sinusitis is one of the main causes of glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis in children. The infection constantly spreads both from the maxillary sinus and from secondary purulent foci (tonsils, bronchi, mucous membranes). With immunodeficiency, bacteria spread unhindered throughout the body simply through the bloodstream, and enter the kidneys, heart, and joints.

Infectious myocarditis and heart valve insufficiency. The flora affects both the membranes of the heart and the valve apparatus, creating all the conditions for acquired heart failure, as well as valve failure, even in children. If sinusitis has developed since childhood, this can cause stenosis of the mitral valve (most often, although insufficiency of other valves is also possible) in a schoolchild or student.

Infectious polyarthritis. The synovial membranes are affected, then autoimmune damage to the joints begins, which leads to arthritis, then to arthrosis and dysfunction of the limbs.

In the case of damage to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, sinusitis forms a vicious circle - the insufficiency of these systems creates the conditions for the development of sinusitis, which, in turn, leads to disruption of the heart and respiratory system.

The very process of breathing through the oral cavity is fraught with a number of diseases - the mucous membrane dries out and becomes inflamed, becoming easy prey for pathogenic microorganisms that easily enter the respiratory tract. A permanent bacterial infection causes the patient's mouth to smell bad.

The likelihood of pneumonia against the background of chronic sinusitis increases significantly, since pathogenic flora penetrates both during inhalation, bypassing dry mucous membranes, and directly from bacterial colonies in the maxillary sinuses.

Tonsillitis and adenoids against the background of chronic sinusitis

The nasopharynx, including the palatine tonsils, is the first to be affected. The dry mucous membrane becomes inflamed and infection settles on it, forming suppuration. In parallel, mucosal hypertrophy causes polyposis. Polyps, in turn, further complicate nasal breathing.

A situation is developing when nasal breathing disappears even during the period of remission, not to mention exacerbation of sinusitis.

Tonsils, after being contaminated with bacteria, turn into an independent source of infection. Overgrown connective tissue forms adenoids, which ENT doctors like to remove. Unfortunately, even removal does not completely solve the issue, since the absence of barrier lymph nodes (which were the tonsils) increases the likelihood of the penetration of new portions of pathogenic bacteria.

Purulent tonsillitis is a fairly aggressive process, accompanied by high fever and is a source of infection spreading to the joints, heart valves, kidneys, etc.

Bronchitis, pneumonia and otitis in chronic sinusitis

The constant penetration of pathogens into the bronchi and further into the alveoli and lung parenchyma leads to the formation of chronic bronchitis and prolonged pneumonia. These conditions themselves pose a danger to the lives of both adults and children; in addition, they cause severe disorders of the immune status. Constant sources of pathogens (foreign proteins) lead to the development of persistent allergic reactions, and in the long term – bronchial asthma.

The occurrence of otitis media against the background of chronic sinusitis is facilitated by the anatomical connection between the pharynx and the temporal bone. The infection travels through the pharynx through the eustachian tube into the ear, causing otitis media. The process occurs at elevated pressure – i.e. at the moment of blowing your nose. The main symptom of the disease is pain that gets worse at night. The pus gradually melts the eardrum and pours out through the external auditory canal. This situation is fraught with the development of hearing loss and its own purulent complications of otitis media.

Damage to the meninges (meningitis), video

Purulent otitis, spreading, causes meningitis and meningoencephalitis. The latter condition is the “crown” of complications of sinusitis, and quite often ends in the death of the patient. The process manifests itself as severe headaches, combined with a sharp increase in body temperature. Unfortunately, pain with sinusitis is not a unique symptom, so it is not so easy to suspect meningitis based on this symptom alone.

After some time, against the background of incessant pain, neurological symptoms appear, including fainting. At this point, it is no longer difficult to determine the clinical picture of meningitis, but the process is already moving to the next stage - the brain is involved, and meningoencephalitis develops.

Secondary damage to internal organs

Through the bloodstream, the infection enters various organs and tissues: kidneys, heart, joints, lymph nodes. Connective tissue formations are destroyed - heart valves, synovial bursae, ligaments, and renal failure develops.

In severe cases, sepsis develops against the background of total immunodeficiency. The process involves many communicating purulent foci, creeping into the entire body. Sepsis is usually fatal.

In order to avoid complications of sinusitis, it is necessary to seriously treat the disease from the first days of its onset, and strictly follow the recommendations of the otolaryngologist. Complex therapy includes systemic and local antibiotics, vasoconstrictor drugs, inhalations, physiotherapy and much more.

During the period of remission, you should monitor your health, give up smoking and other bad habits, and take preventive courses of immunocorrectors and vitamin therapy.

A patient with a chronic form of sinusitis must carry out all hygiene procedures prescribed by the doctor and, at the first signs of exacerbation, contact an ENT specialist.

  • Author: Anastasia
  • Print
  1. 5
  2. 4
  3. 3
  4. 2
  5. 1

All materials on the SOVDOK.RU website are written specifically for this web resource and are the intellectual property of the site administrator. Publishing site materials on your page is possible only if you provide a full active link to the source.

The material is published for informational purposes only and under no circumstances can it be considered a substitute for medical consultation with a specialist in a medical institution. The site administration is not responsible for the results of using the posted information. For questions of diagnosis and treatment, as well as prescribing medications and determining their dosage regimen, we recommend that you consult a doctor.

Source: http://sovdok.ru/?p=7019

Possible consequences of sinusitis in adults

  • Features of sinusitis
  • Causes of the disease
  • Symptoms of the disease
  • What are the types of sinusitis?
  • Chronic inflammation
  • Complications of sinusitis
    • Complications in the respiratory system
    • Complications in the organs of vision
    • Damage to other organs

The consequences of sinusitis in adults can be very dangerous. In the initial stages, sinusitis is treated with preventive measures, but the advanced form is more difficult to treat. The consequences of sinusitis are determined by the fact that the respiratory process occurs through the nasal canal, and the nose itself, through its nerve processes, is closely connected with reflexes in the cerebral cortex. All this indicates what complications of sinusitis are possible if it is not treated promptly and effectively.

Features of sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammatory process in the paranasal sinuses. Almost always, the disease develops against the background of recurrent runny nose and colds in the absence of treatment. The inflammatory reaction begins as a result of the accumulation of mucus in the sinuses, where a purulent mass gradually appears. This transition from mucous composition to purulent content characterizes the development of the acute phase into the chronic phase; Moreover, such a transition is accompanied by damage to bone tissue and layers located under the mucous membrane.

Causes of the disease

In order for the mucus and the microorganisms in it to begin the inflammatory process, exposure to provoking factors is necessary. The following causes of sinusitis are identified:

  • sinus injuries;
  • infection with viruses or bacteria;
  • recurrence of runny nose;
  • advanced viral cold;
  • long stay in a dry, heated room;
  • draft;
  • exposure to aggressive chemical components on the mucous membrane;
  • advanced dental diseases and poor oral hygiene;
  • consequences of influenza;
  • hypothermia of the body;
  • secretory pathology of mucosal glands;
  • decreased immunity;
  • the presence of polyps and adenoids;
  • allergic susceptibility;
  • genetic defects of the nasopharynx.

Symptoms of the disease

The main symptoms of sinusitis in adults:

  • a feeling of increasing pressure in the bridge of the nose, increasing when the head is tilted;
  • nasal congestion;
  • mucous discharge from the nose (initially transparent, then purulent);
  • insomnia;
  • fatigue;
  • temperature increase;
  • chills;
  • weakness;
  • paroxysmal cough;
  • pain in the nasal region, radiating to the eyes, gums, and frontal region;
  • headache;
  • loss of appetite;
  • the appearance of prolonged rhinitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis.

What are the types of sinusitis?

Taking into account the etiology and pathogenesis of development, the disease is usually divided into several varieties: acute, catarrhal, odontogenic, bilateral, allergic, polypous, purulent and chronic sinusitis. All types differ in the severity of development and possible consequences. For example, the polyposis type is practically not amenable to drug treatment and forces the use of surgical intervention. Chronic and purulent forms cause serious consequences. Acute, catarrhal, allergic varieties cause residual effects leading to a chronic form.

Chronic inflammation

Complications begin with the chronicization of the inflammatory process, i.e., with the transition to the chronic stage of the disease. The disease develops in the absence or ineffectiveness of treatment. The acute phase subsides, pain syndromes disappear. But sinusitis is not defeated, and the inflammatory process continues in a sluggish mode. However, the process begins to cover bone tissue and the base of the mucosa. In addition, new exposure to factors leads to exacerbation.

The chronic phase can be characterized by the erasure of obvious signs, but nasal congestion, a slight nasal tone in the voice, and periodic headaches of moderate intensity remain. A person is forced to mainly breathe through the mouth, which causes the penetration of a new infection and the expansion of affected areas. Thus, the first consequences of sinusitis arise: swelling of the nasal sinuses, constant inflammation of the mucous membrane, difficulty breathing through the nose, chronic runny nose, accumulation of purulent mass in the maxillary cavities.

Complications of sinusitis

Based on the distribution of the consequences of sinusitis, complications can be divided into two groups: damage to the respiratory and ENT systems, damage to other systems and internal organs.

Complications in the respiratory system

The organs directly connected to the canals of the nasal cavity are the first to suffer from the processes of sinusitis. Inflammation develops throughout the nasal cavity, pharynx, trachea, bronchi and ears.

Initially, all neighboring nasal sinuses are affected; inflammation can develop in the frontal, ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses, causing various types of sinusitis, both acute and chronic.

There are cases when inflammation covered all the sinuses (pansinusitis). Constant inflammation in the paranasal sinuses leads to hypertrophy (thickening) of the mucosa and the subsequent formation of polyps, which makes nasal breathing difficult.

In the pharyngeal area, inflammation of an infectious nature spreads to the tonsils, causing tonsillitis and tonsillitis. Frequent damage to the tonsils gives impetus to the growth of adenoids. The next movement of the infection is penetration into the respiratory system (trachea, bronchi, lungs). As a result of pathogenic effects, bronchitis and pneumonia can develop, and if the pleura is also affected, pleuropneumonia. If measures are not taken, bronchitis can develop into bronchial asthma.

Infection from the sinusitis zone through the Eustachian tube has the ability to penetrate into the middle ear. In this case, inflammation covers the hearing aid, otitis media arises, the first sign of which is a feeling of ear fullness. At the next stage, pain occurs and purulent discharge appears.

Complications in the organs of vision

The effect of sinusitis on the organs of vision can be significant. The simplest consequence is swelling of the tissue as a natural reaction to the inflammatory process in a nearby organ. Complications can result in serious damage: purulent inflammation in the tissues of the orbit and venous thrombosis. The impact is significantly enhanced if sinusitis is caused by a fungal pathogen.

The main symptoms indicating the spread of inflammation to the visual organ are redness and swelling of the eyelids, painful sensation when pressing on the eye socket, blurred vision, and pain in the eye. The temperature rises only if the inflamed area suppurates.

Damage to other organs

Sinusitis can give rise to an inflammatory process in bone tissue (osteoperiostitis). Symptoms of this disease include frequent conjunctivitis, as well as swelling of the lower eyelids and cheeks. A fairly common complication of the disease is trigeminal neuritis (swelling and inflammation of the nerve processes, the base of which is located in the cerebellar zone). The danger of complications lies in the difficulty of treatment and the course with severe pain.

A purulent mass in the paranasal sinuses is a chronic source of infection, transmitted by blood and lymph to different parts of the body. When the immune system is weakened, the heart muscle, kidneys and various joints can be affected. Heart failure can develop against the background of damage to the heart valves, renal pathology - in the form of glomerulonephritis.

Sinusitis with its purulent manifestation develops near the brain, which causes the most terrible consequence of the disease, namely meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain). Bacteria from the nasal cavity penetrate the lining of the brain and cause inflammation. Symptoms include severe headache, vomiting, high fever, photophobia, loss of consciousness, hallucinations and seizures.

Another terrible complication is sinusitis. We are talking about sepsis (blood poisoning). Such a process can develop with the active production of toxins when rotting bacteria enter. The complication of blood sepsis occurs extremely rarely and is rather an exception.

  • Angina
  • Sinusitis
  • Cough
  • Laryngitis
  • Runny nose
  • Otitis
  • Sinusitis
  • Pharyngitis
  • ethnoscience
  • Other

Treatment of wet cough in children with effective folk remedies

Cough in children in the evening: causes

How can granulosa pharyngitis be treated in adults and children?

What to do if you have a wheezing cough?

There is foul-smelling pus coming from the gums, or rather through the canals from the roots.

The article is very professional, gives information about a variety of things.

Please help me figure it out. My husband has tinnitus.

Antibiotics do not need to be taken too often, Nozzle patch.

Source: http://lor03.ru/gaymorit/posledstviya-gajmorita-u-vzroslyx.html