Acute sinusitis complications

Complications of acute sinusitis

Treatment of acute sinusitis is successful when both the doctor, confident in his knowledge and skills, and the patient, who punctually follows all instructions, work for the result. However, even under the most favorable circumstances, there is still a small chance for complications.

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If something went wrong

According to rough estimates by doctors, treatment of sinusitis fails in 10–25% of patients. If after a standard course of therapy the pathological process is not stopped, the doctor should carefully examine the medical history and conduct an additional physical examination of the patient.

As a rule, the next round of therapy begins with changing antibiotics to second-line drugs and, perhaps, changing the very approach to treating sinusitis. After all, it can be complicated by additional diseases.

There are several types of complications of sinusitis and other types of sinusitis.

Local complications of sinusitis

The most common local complication is mucocele of the maxillary sinuses. It is an epithelial cyst, which is formed as a result of the accumulation of pus and mucus in the sinus. Mucocele can gradually progress and lead to bone erosion, that is, the destruction of bone tissue due to expansion of the maxillary sinus.

Mucocele of the maxillary, that is, the maxillary sinus, is most often detected accidentally during fluoroscopic diagnosis or monitoring the treatment of sinusitis. In the absence of clinical manifestations or active infectious process, mucocele is not dangerous and does not have any significance. As a rule, surgical treatment is not required, and the cysts themselves can disappear spontaneously, albeit over a long period of time.

Much more dangerous is a mucocele that develops in the frontal or sphenoid sinuses of the nose. This option is also possible for sinusitis combined with frontal sinusitis or sphenoiditis. Frontoethmoidal (cyst in the frontal sinuses) or sphenoethmoidal (cyst in the sphenoid sinuses) mucocele with a fairly high degree of probability can lead to bone erosion. Therefore, these cysts must be completely removed, and surgical treatment in such a situation is inevitable.

Orbital complications

Orbital complications associated with eye diseases occupy the lion's share of pathologies that can result from acute bacterial sinusitis, combined with frontal sinusitis or ethmoiditis. In such cases, the infection is transmitted directly through the thin bone separating the ethmoid and frontal sinuses or through the venous blood flow passing through the ethmoid labyrinth.

The diagnosis of orbital complications is based on a thorough clinical examination of the patient and an ophthalmological assessment of the condition of the visual organ. To confirm the widespread inflammatory process, radiological studies are also carried out. Computed tomography is considered the most sensitive method, although traditional ultrasound also reveals, for example, an anterior abscess in 90% of cases.

There are five different types of orbital complications, including:

  • group 1. Inflammatory edema with normal visual acuity;
  • group 2. Orbital cellulitis (inflammation of the tissue behind the orbital septum) and orbital edema;
  • group 3. Abscess (accumulation of pus) under the periosteum;
  • group 4. Orbital abscess with swelling of the eyelid line and conjunctiva, paralysis of the eye muscles, decreased visual acuity;
  • group 5. Thrombosis of the cavernous sinus - the dura mater of the brain, rapidly progressing bilateral swelling of the eyelids and conjunctiva, loss of visual acuity, possible signs of irritation of the meninges, high temperature.

Intracranial complications of acute sinusitis

Intracranial complications are among the most dangerous pathologies that develop as a result of the direct spread of infection through the frontal sinus or ophthalmic veins. Patients with isolated sinusitis can breathe a sigh of relief: the maxillary sinuses are too far from the cranial bones.

However, we should not forget that in 25% of cases of acute sinusitis, the disease is accompanied by acute frontal sinusitis. And this is where you need to keep your finger on the pulse.

The most common intracranial complication is a subdural abscess, which is a collection of pus in the cranial cavity. Less commonly recorded are cerebral abscesses (accumulation of pus directly in the medulla of the brain), cerebral infarction, which manifests itself as seizures, focal neurological disorders and can lead to coma.

Intracranial complications of sinusitis require an immediate response from doctors, and first aid consists of urgent surgical drainage of both the sinus itself, the source of infection, and the abscess in the intracranial space.

Unfortunately, in the case of any intracranial complications, functional endoscopic surgery alone is no longer sufficient: it could have helped earlier, before the development of an abscess. When it gets that far, the vast majority of patients require neurosurgical intervention.

The American scientist Del Guadio conducted a retrospective study of 23 cases of acute sinusitis (sinusitis, sinusitis, ethmoiditis) with intracranial complications. Drug therapy allowed only three patients to avoid craniotomy, and the combination of endoscopic surgery and intravenous antibiotics allowed only one patient to avoid complex neurosurgical intervention. The remaining 19 patients required both endoscopic surgery and craniotomy.

General complications

Severe uncompensated sinusitis can lead to sepsis (penetration of bacteria that cause the inflammatory process into the blood or tissue) and disruption of the functioning of many organs and systems.

Patients with acute sinusitis treated in a hospital have an increased risk of nosocomial infections, including hospital-acquired pneumonia. However, most often such complications develop in patients with weakened immune systems.

We provided all this information in order not to intimidate people who are already suffering from pain and the inability to breathe normally. We just want every person who notices the symptoms of sinusitis to understand the importance and necessity of immediate treatment of the disease. And then all these terrible complications will certainly pass by.

Source: http://gaimoriti.ru/proyavleniya/oslozhneniya-ostrogo-gajmorita.html

Sinusitis: signs, treatment and complications

Sinusitis is considered a common otolaryngological disease affecting the paranasal sinuses. Pathology occurs due to many reasons and is accompanied by characteristic symptoms, which, if detected, require immediate treatment. Ignoring such a problem is dangerous due to its complications.

Causes of sinusitis

The main causes of sinusitis are considered to be viral and bacterial infections.

Sinusitis often occurs as a result of complications of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the nasal cavity (influenza, acute respiratory infections, rhinorrhea, acute respiratory viral infections).

Sinusitis is caused by pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, pneumococcal streptococcus, Haemophilus influenzae) and viral infection. The fungus also provokes the disease, especially after improper use of antibacterial therapy. Trauma to parts of the face is also a cause of sinusitis.

In addition, the following factors lead to the development of the pathological condition:

  • Polyps, adenoids
  • Allergic reactions
  • Use of certain medications
  • Deficiency of minerals and vitamins in the body
  • Congenital or acquired deformation of the labyrinths and sinuses of the nose
  • Polluted or cold air
  • Weakened immune system
  • Smoking
  • Hypothermia

The risk group includes people with diabetes, cystic fibrosis, hypothyroidism, and diseases of the dental system.

Depending on the location where the inflammatory process occurs, sinusitis is divided into the following types:

  • Frontitis - affects the frontal sinus.
  • Sinusitis is a pathology of the paranasal sinus of the upper jaw.
  • Ethmoiditis - the cells of the ethmoid bone become inflamed.
  • Rhinitis is a disease of the nasal cavity.
  • Sphenoiditis is a lesion of the sphenoid sinus.

Symptoms of the disease

Stuffy and purulent nasal discharge, headache, fever and fatigue are signs of sinusitis.

The main symptoms of sinusitis are:

  • nasal congestion
  • green or yellow mucus in the sinuses
  • thick mucous discharge, often purulent-serous in nature
  • difficulty breathing through the nose
  • pain in the forehead, nose, eyes
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • decreased performance
  • temperature increase

Sometimes the following symptoms may occur with sinusitis:

  • soreness and sore throat
  • general fatigue
  • bad odor from the mouth or nose
  • toothache
  • tumor processes of the respiratory organs

The sense of smell may also be impaired, and coughing is possible, especially at night. Also, sinusitis is often accompanied by sleep disturbances, fatigue, decreased appetite, swelling of the eyelids or cheeks, and lacrimation.

If such symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor who will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Complications of sinusitis

Improper treatment of sinusitis can provoke the development of very dangerous complications.

The danger of sinusitis is the development of serious and severe complications that can even lead to death. Such complications are pathological conditions of the brain:

  • Brain abscess (subdural or epidural)
  • Meningitis

If sinusitis is not treated in a timely manner, diseases of the upper and lower respiratory system occur:

Sinusitis affects the skeletal system, ears and eyes, nervous and circulatory systems, so complications also include:

  • Osteomyelitis
  • Otitis
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Optic neuritis
  • Sinus thrombophlebitis
  • Thrombosis of blood vessels of the head
  • Periostitis of the orbit
  • Orbital phlegmon

In order to prevent these complications, it is important to undergo sinusitis treatment on time.

Drug treatment of the disease

Drug treatment for sinusitis is prescribed by a doctor depending on the severity of the disease.

Treatment of sinusitis is aimed at destroying the viruses and bacteria that provoke the disease and relieving the symptoms of the pathology. In addition, the need for the correct treatment method will help to avoid complications and prevent the disease from becoming chronic.

It is important to note that it is not recommended to self-medicate sinusitis, since the required treatment tactics can be determined by a specialist, taking into account the degree of the disease, etiology and individual characteristics of the patient.

First of all, etiotropic treatment is prescribed to eliminate the specific pathogen causing the disease:

  • If sinusitis is caused by a virus, then an antiviral drug is prescribed, for example, Arbidol, Neovir, Isoprinosine.
  • Diseases of fungal etiology are treated with antimycotics. Miconazole is effective.
  • For sinusitis that occurs as a result of allergies, antihistamines are prescribed - Suprastin, Tavegil.

To suppress the growth and reproduction of bacteria that lead to this disease, antibiotics of the following groups are prescribed:

  • Penicillin series - Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Augmentin, Ampiox.
  • Macrolide group – Roxithromycin.
  • Cephalosporins – Cefuroxime, Kefzol, Ceftibuten, Cephalexin.
  • Fluoroquinolone group – Levoflox, Sparfloxacin, Moxifloxacin.
  • Topical antibiotics may also be used. These include Fuzofungin, Bioparox.

More information about sinusitis can be found in the video:

Complex therapy for sinusitis includes the use of the following medications:

  • Nasal drops with a vasoconstrictor effect - Naphthyzin, Farmazolin, Sanorin, Noxprey.
  • Corticosteroid nasal sprays: Fluticasone, Triamcinolone, Beclomethasone.
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, Erespal, Collargol, Protargol.
  • Sulfonamides can be used, such as Sulfadimethoxine, Biseptol.
  • For sinusitis, which is accompanied by hyperthermia, antipyretics are used.

Moderate and mild sinusitis can be treated at home, following the recommendations and instructions of the otolaryngologist. But if the disease is severe, treatment in a medical facility will be required.

The treatment of sinusitis also includes physiotherapeutic procedures: UHF, ultraphonophoresis, Sollux, microwave, warming.

Breathing exercises and facial massage help. They are used to treat chronic sinusitis. These methods promote improved blood circulation and outflow of secretions. If drug treatment is ineffective, then a specialist may suggest a surgical method for eliminating sinusitis (frontotomy, maxillary sinusitis, sphenoidotomy, ethmoidotomy).

Folk remedies for sinusitis

The most effective folk recipes for sinusitis

Traditional recipes against the disease are considered auxiliary therapy. But they must be agreed with the doctor.

Nasal drops are excellent for treating symptoms of pathology. At home you can prepare the following products for the procedure:

  • Kalanchoe juice. To do this, the leaves of the plant must lie in a cool place for seven days, since, in this way, useful substances accumulate in them. After this, squeeze out the juice, which is diluted with alcohol in a ratio of 20:1. It is recommended to instill this remedy into the nasal passages three times a day.
  • Oil-onion drops. To prepare, take fifty grams of oil (vegetable), which is heated in a water bath. Add grated onion to it and squeeze. These drops are instilled into the nose three times a day, five drops each. It is advisable not to blow your nose after the procedure for up to ten minutes to increase the effectiveness of the therapy.
  • Radish juice. This remedy is used several times a day, two drops.
  • A remedy made from onion, aloe, and cyclamen is an effective auxiliary method in the treatment of sinusitis. You need to take a teaspoon of the juice of these plants, mix and add Vishnevsky ointment (a teaspoon). This medicine is used to lubricate the sinuses.
  • For chronic sinusitis, inhalation is made from decoctions of oak bark, chamomile and sage, using one plant or a collection of them.
  • To improve sinus drainage, you can try internal use of clover decoction.

Rinsing the nasal passages

Nasal rinsing for sinusitis is one of the best methods for treating the disease.

For sinusitis, nasal rinsing is often prescribed, since the procedure helps cleanse the nasal passages of mucus, pathogenic microorganisms, and allergens.

To do this, you will need a product based on purified sea water purchased at the pharmacy. It can also be prepared at home. For the solution, take two glasses of water (warm) and a teaspoon of sea salt. Regular boiled salt is also suitable for cooking.

Other medications are also used for nasal rinsing:

They make weak solutions. Rinse the nasal passages up to four times a day. An infusion of St. John's wort is also used for the procedure.

It is advisable to carry out rinsing in a hospital setting, since an incorrect procedure can only aggravate the problem. The procedure is performed at home, but all basic rules of the procedure are followed.

Inhalation with a nebulizer

The inhalation method is considered the safest, because the procedure can be carried out even at home

For inhalation for sinusitis, a special device called a nebulizer is used. There are several types of such devices on the pharmaceutical market.

Liquid intended for inhalation is poured into the nebulizer reservoir. The device is turned on and the steam is inhaled using a special mask for minutes. This procedure can be repeated up to several times a day. It is important to remember that after inhalation it is not recommended to go outside or breathe cold air, since the effectiveness of therapy in this case is reduced.

Decoctions of the following medicinal plants are considered effective for sinusitis:

You can also do inhalations with propolis tincture, soda solution, potato broth, honey.

Aroma oils are also used for inhalation procedures using a nebulizer. The following oils are effective for sinusitis:

It is important to know that the procedure is not allowed to be done if the sinuses are completely blocked. First, you need to apply nasal drops to clear the passage to the sinuses.

Disease during pregnancy

Treatment of sinusitis during pregnancy should be under the supervision of a doctor!

The development of sinusitis during pregnancy is influenced by factors such as hormonal changes in the female body. For pregnant women, sinusitis is dangerous due to a decrease in the supply of oxygen to the blood due to difficulty in nasal breathing. This affects the development of the fetus and reduces the woman's quality of life.

It should also be remembered that not all drugs that are intended to treat sinusitis can be used by pregnant women. In the first trimester, it is generally not advisable to use medications, since during this period the formation of the fetus occurs. That is why only a specialist can prescribe remedies in this case. To relieve the inflammatory process, decongestant medications are used.

Vasoconstrictor drugs are not prescribed - they can contribute to the narrowing of blood vessels in the placenta and uterus.

Among antibiotics, Azithromycin and Amoxicillin are prescribed to pregnant women with caution if sinusitis is caused by bacteria. The duration of antibacterial therapy and dosage of drugs is determined by the doctor.

In severe cases, it is possible to insert a rubber catheter into the sinuses, as well as remove purulent accumulations from the sinuses using a method popularly called “cuckoo”. Safe treatment methods during pregnancy are inhalation procedures and nasal rinsing.

Prevention measures

To prevent the occurrence of sinusitis, there are the following preventive actions:

  1. regularly ventilate the room
  2. strengthen the immune system by stabbing the body
  3. maintain proper drinking regime
  4. avoid hypothermia of the body
  5. Avoid breathing cold or polluted air
  6. systematically carry out measures to humidify the air
  7. eat foods containing minerals and vitamins

By following these preventive measures, the likelihood of developing the disease can be reduced several times.

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Comments (4)

Elena

03/22/2017 at 09:34 | #

A friend has this sinusitis several times a season! She had already tried a lot of things and was very upset. Then she went to an immunologist for advice and was prescribed a course of Esberitox to boost her weakened immune system. I also drank it with her, it won’t be superfluous, since it’s a vegetable. As a result, over the past season, she and I never got sick.

Stanislav

04/13/2017 at 16:13 | #

Helen, dear, immunity is such a thing, it cannot be strengthened or strengthened. It is the same for everyone, another thing is how it works in the body, your immunity. and your girlfriend. Here is a placebo - yes, this is your case with Esberitox. Thank you.

Daria

06/21/2017 at 08:58 | #

I am quite satisfied with domestic drugs. Morenasal with chamomile spray, perfectly relieves inflammation and effectively fights the runny nose, I haven’t seen a better product, honestly.

Elena

09/01/2017 at 02:57 | #

I constantly have sinusitis as soon as winter begins, and since childhood. The worst thing is that sinusitis often develops into sinusitis, and this is even worse. I have been drinking Sinupret since childhood. He helps me a lot.

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How to treat acute sinusitis and what is chronic sinusitis

Acute sinusitis is an inflammatory process that affects one or more paranasal sinuses at once. The disease can manifest itself in childhood and adulthood, during pregnancy and feeding. In this case, the cause of development can be anything.

Causes of acute sinusitis

Nowadays, everyone has begun to diagnose acute and chronic sinusitis. There are several reasons for this. There are factors that lead to this disease. This includes.

  • Weakened immune function.
  • Work in industrial plants or with chemicals.
  • The presence of a deviated nasal septum, congenital or acquired.
  • Formation of polyps or enlargement of adenoids.
  • Trauma to the nasal cavity.
  • Presence of carious formations.
  • Past viral infections.
  • Penetration of bacteria.
  • Presence of allergic rhinitis.
  • Having bad habits.

Fifty percent of acute sinusitis cases are thought to be caused by bacteria. Much less commonly, the disease can occur as a result of a fungal infection.

The primary inflammatory process develops quite quickly. To stop the process, it is necessary to eliminate the cause as soon as possible.

Types of Acute Sinusitis

The paranasal sinuses are located in the cranial bones of any person. Only in children under three years of age are they not yet fully developed. Therefore, it is generally accepted that sinusitis cannot manifest itself in childhood.

As a result, acute sinusitis is usually divided into several types.

  1. Sinusitis. The disease affects the maxillary sinuses. They are located in the skeletal system of the upper jaw and connect to the nasal cavity. This type of disease is considered the most common, since they are closest to the respiratory tract. This is why pain occurs in the jaw and cheekbones. Sinusitis can lead to complications such as otitis media or inflammation of the trigeminal nerve.
  2. Frontit. The paranasal sinuses are located in the frontal region above the eye sockets. With frontal sinusitis, a painful sensation occurs, which radiates to the occipital region and the visual organ. Frontitis can lead to complications in the form of conjunctivitis, inflammation of the outer membrane of the optic organ, meningitis and inflammation of the meninges.
  3. Ethmoiditis. The infection affects the sinuses, which are located in the ethmoid bone. Ethmoiditis is always accompanied by other inflammatory processes in the form of sinusitis or sinusitis. When the posterior wall of the skeletal system is affected, ethmoiditis is accompanied by sphenoiditis.
  4. Sphenoiditis. The infection affects the sphenoid sinus. It is located at the back of the nasal cavity.

Symptoms of acute sinusitis

The signs of acute sinusitis appear quite clearly, especially when the disease appears for the first time. Acute sinusitis is characterized by the following problems.

  1. Copious discharge. In the first days, they may have a transparent or whitish color and a liquid consistency. After a few days, the mucus becomes thick and yellowish in color.
  2. Congestion of the nasal passages.
  3. Raising body temperature to several degrees.
  4. Severe pain that radiates to the head or eye area. The sensations intensify when the head is tilted forward.
  5. Severe intoxication of the body, which manifests itself in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
  6. General weakness and malaise, which affects the patient’s performance.
  7. The occurrence of a febrile state.
  8. Increased drowsiness, lethargy and irritability.
  9. Lack of appetite.
  10. Impaired olfactory function.

With chronic sinusitis, the symptoms are a little blurred. The disease does not affect the patient's performance. Temperatures remain normal and do not rise above 37.5 degrees. But there is severe congestion in the nasal passages, which does not allow the patient to breathe fully. Often, vasoconstrictor drops do not help in solving the problem.

There is also a moderate pain in the head. There may be no discharge due to the formation of a plug in the sinuses. The patient develops a cough with sputum production. This process occurs due to the flow of mucus along the back wall. It appears in the morning after sleep.

The duration of acute sinusitis can be one month. With the development of a chronic form, the disease will manifest itself up to four times a year.

When diagnosing acute sinusitis, it is customary to distinguish three degrees of severity.

  1. Light flow. Diagnosed in childhood. The patient experiences general weakness and a slight increase in temperature. The discharge has a thick consistency and a yellowish color. Upon examination, a thickening of the mucous membrane of up to six millimeters is detected.
  2. Middle current. Characterized by intense pain in the head. When palpated, the skin in the area of ​​the inflamed sinus hurts. Temperatures rise to 38 degrees. In this case, the mucous membrane thickens up to eight millimeters.
  3. Heavy current. It is characterized by a strong pain in the head, lack of breathing through the nose, and a rise in body temperature to 40 degrees. Severe weakness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting may occur.

Diagnosis of acute sinusitis

If a patient develops acute sinusitis, treatment should be started immediately. First you should consult a doctor. He will conduct an examination, listen to the patient’s complaints and palpate the paranasal sinuses. After this, he will order an examination to make an accurate diagnosis. It includes.

  • X-ray examination.
  • Rhinoscopy.
  • Endoscopic examination.
  • Therapeutic and diagnostic puncture.
  • Taking blood for a general analysis.
  • Taking a mask from the sinus to determine the pathogen.

It is also worth carrying out a differential diagnosis and distinguishing the disease from allergic rhinitis and viral infection.

After determining the severity of the disease and its type, therapeutic therapy is prescribed.

Treatment process for acute sinusitis

Many people wonder how to treat acute sinusitis. There are several methods to eliminate the disease. The main one is drug therapy. Treatment for acute sinusitis includes:

  1. Taking antibiotics orally. Amoxicillin, Amoxiclav, Azithromycin, Sumame are prescribed.
  2. The use of vasoconstrictor drops. These include Nazivin, Otrivin, Snoop.
  3. Rinse the nasal passages. You can use Furacilin solution, saline solution or Dolphin.
  4. Use of local antibacterial agents. Isofra or Polydexa are often prescribed.
  5. Taking mucolytic drugs. They are able to liquefy and remove phlegm. These include Mukaltin, Ambrobene, ACC.
  6. The use of plant-based immunostimulating agents in the form of Sinupret.

If such treatment does not bring the desired effect, the patient undergoes surgery. Also prescribed for severe disease. The procedure involves piercing the paranasal sinuses. After this, using a special apparatus, the purulent contents are suctioned.

Homeopathic medicines are prescribed to strengthen immune function. For acute sinusitis, the following medications are often prescribed.

  • Belladona. A drug that helps to sweat during fever. When the temperature rises, the virus quickly dies.
  • Silicea, Mercurius Solubilis. Prescribed for the chronic form of the disease.
  • Mercury sulfide. The drug is recommended for use in cases of severe pain in the nasal passages.

This drug Sinuforte has proven itself to be excellent. It has a plant base, and therefore is prescribed for children over five years of age. Available in spray form. The duration of the treatment course is from ten to fourteen days.

Possible complications after acute sinusitis

Very often, people over fifty years of age, children under two years of age, women during pregnancy and patients whose immune function is severely weakened suffer from complications of sinusitis. The following adverse effects are observed in many situations.

  1. Otitis. The nasal cavity is located next to the ear canal and is connected by the maxillary sinus. When sinusitis develops, the infection enters the middle ear. As a result, the patient's temperature may rise again. There is a strong pain in the ear and shooting pain. In this case, there is tinnitus and deterioration of auditory perception.
  2. Conjunctivitis. Develops with frontal sinusitis. The patient experiences severe pain in the forehead and eye sockets. At the same time, yellowish mucus comes out of the eyes, and photophobia occurs. If the pathology is not noticed in time, then inflammation of the soft tissues in the visual organ and thrombosis of the ophthalmic veins develop.
  3. Neuritis of the ternary nerve. This type of complication is considered quite dangerous and is accompanied by severe pain. This process is difficult to treat. The inflammatory process moves along the nerve endings, which has a bad effect on the patient’s quality of life.
  4. Osteoperiostitis. The infection spreads into deep tissues, resulting in damage to the bone structures of the skull. This complication requires urgent hospitalization.
  5. Meningitis. The brain connects to the sinuses. With the development of the inflammatory process, the infection can easily penetrate the meninges. If immune function is severely weakened, the disease can lead to death.
  6. Sepsis. The infection enters the blood and spreads throughout the body. This process can lead to diseases of the heart, blood vessels, joints, kidneys and digestive system. Complications can occur only in the complete absence of medical care and treatment.

Acute sinusitis must be treated. It’s not worth carrying it on your feet, so you need to take sick leave. In order for the disease to be successful and not cause complications, you need to follow several important recommendations.

  • Maintain bed rest for three to five days.
  • Compliance with drinking regime. At the same time, children need to drink at least one liter of liquid, and adults at least two liters.
  • Elimination of polyps and enlarged tonsils.
  • Quitting bad habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol.
  • Strengthening immune function. After recovery, you need to go in for sports, eat right and strengthen your body.
  • Ventilate the room, humidify the air.

During sleep, you need to take a semi-lying position so that the patient can breathe while sleeping. This will ensure the outflow of mucus and will not clog the nasal passages.

When the first signs appear, you should immediately contact a specialist. If acute or chronic sinusitis occurs, surgery may be performed. The treatment process is prescribed on an individual basis.

The content of all content presented on the site is for educational and informational purposes only, aimed at giving visitors to the resource a clearer understanding of the prevention, symptoms and methods of treating colds. Be sure to consult your doctor.

Source: http://przab.ru/bolezni/sinusit/ostrye.html

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an infectious and inflammatory process affecting the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses. May be viral, bacterial, fungal or allergic in nature. General symptoms that characterize the course of sinusitis include increased body temperature, pain in the projection of the paranasal sinuses, difficulty in nasal breathing, and serous-purulent discharge from the nose. Sinusitis is recognized on the basis of radiography, ultrasound, CT and MRI of the paranasal sinuses, and diagnostic puncture. For sinusitis, antibiotic therapy, physiotherapy, therapeutic lavage, puncture and drainage, traditional and endoscopic operations on the paranasal sinuses are carried out.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammatory process in one or more paranasal sinuses. Sinusitis is diagnosed in 0.02% of the adult population; In children, upper respiratory tract infections are complicated by the development of sinusitis in 0.5% of cases. In otolaryngology, sinusitis includes inflammation of the maxillary sinus - sinusitis, frontal sinus - frontal sinusitis, sphenoid sinus - sphenoiditis, ethmoid labyrinth - ethmoiditis. According to the current, acute and chronic sinusitis are distinguished. There is fever, headache, congestion and purulent discharge from the nose, swelling of the face in the area of ​​the inflamed sinus. If left untreated, serious complications develop: inflammation of the optic nerve and membranes of the eye, osteomyelitis, brain abscess, meningitis.

Causes of sinusitis development

The nasal cavity communicates with seven paranasal sinuses: two frontal, two maxillary, two ethmoid and one sphenoid. The sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity by narrow passages. Through these passages, constant drainage (cleaning) of the sinuses is carried out. If the sinuses for some reason stop clearing, secretions stagnate in them and favorable conditions are created for the development of sinusitis.

The openings of the nasal sinuses can be blocked due to various deformations of the intranasal structures (hypertrophic rhinitis, curvature of the nasal septum, abnormalities in the structure of the ethmoid labyrinth and nasal concha). Viral infection is another risk factor for sinusitis. As a result of inflammation, the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity swells. The mucous glands begin to produce large amounts of secretion. The openings of the paranasal sinuses narrow further due to swelling of the mucous membrane and become clogged with thick pathological secretions.

Impaired ventilation, stagnation of secretions and oxygen deficiency in the tissues of the sinuses become the impetus for the intensive development of opportunistic flora. A viral infection is accompanied by a bacterial one. The severity of sinusitis depends on the virulence of the microbes that cause inflammation. The widespread use of antibiotics leads to the fact that the bacterial flora that causes the development of sinusitis is often characterized by increased resistance (resistance) to most antibiotics.

In recent years, sinusitis is increasingly caused by fungi. The reason for this trend also lies in the unjustified use of antibiotic therapy, which negatively affects the state of the immune system, disrupts the normal composition of the microflora and creates favorable conditions for the development of mycotic infections. Sinusitis at the initial stage is not necessarily caused by microbes. Swelling of the mucous membrane, leading to the closure of the anastomosis of the paranasal sinuses, can be caused by inhalation of cold air and a number of chemicals.

However, the most common cause of sinusitis is immunodeficiency conditions and allergic reactions. Allergies cause vasomotor rhinitis, one of the manifestations of which is swelling of the nasal mucosa. The process is repeated several times. As a result, chronic sinusitis develops in approximately 80% of patients with vasomotor rhinitis.

Classification of sinusitis

Depending on the location of the process, the following types of sinusitis are distinguished:

  • Sinusitis. The inflammatory process affects the maxillary (maxillary) sinus.
  • Ethmoiditis. Inflammation develops in the ethmoid labyrinth.
  • Frontit. The pathological process covers the frontal sinus.
  • Sphenoiditis. Inflammation occurs in the sphenoid sinus.

The first place in prevalence is occupied by sinusitis, the second by ethmoiditis, the third by frontal sinusitis and the fourth by sphenoiditis. One- or two-sided damage is possible. The process may involve one or more sinuses. If the inflammation covers all the paranasal sinuses, the disease is called pansinusitis.

All sinusitis can occur acutely, subacutely or chronically. Acute sinusitis is usually provoked by a runny nose, flu, scarlet fever, measles and other infectious diseases. The disease lasts 2-4 weeks. Subacute sinusitis most often results from improper or insufficient treatment of acute sinusitis. Symptoms of the disease in subacute sinusitis last from 4 to 12 weeks. Chronic sinusitis becomes the outcome of repeated acute sinusitis of infectious etiology or develops as a complication of allergic rhinitis. The criterion for chronicity of the process is the presence of sinusitis symptoms for 12 weeks or more.

Depending on the nature of the inflammation, there are three forms of sinusitis:

  • edematous-catarrhal. Only the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses is affected. The process is accompanied by the release of serous discharge;
  • purulent. Inflammation spreads to the deep layers of tissue of the paranasal sinuses. The discharge becomes purulent;
  • mixed. There are signs of edematous-catarrhal and purulent sinusitis.

Symptoms of sinusitis

Clinical manifestations of sinusitis are described in detail in the article “Sinusitis”.

Symptoms of ethmoiditis

As a rule, the inflammatory process in the anterior sections of the ethmoid labyrinth develops simultaneously with frontal sinusitis or sinusitis. Inflammation of the posterior sections of the ethmoidal labyrinth is often accompanied by sphenoiditis.

A patient with ethmoiditis complains of headaches, pressing pain in the bridge of the nose and root of the nose. In children, pain is often accompanied by conjunctival hyperemia and swelling of the internal parts of the lower and upper eyelids. Some patients experience neurological pain.

Body temperature usually rises. The discharge in the first days of the disease is serous, then becomes purulent. The sense of smell is sharply reduced, nasal breathing is difficult. With severe sinusitis, inflammation can spread to the orbit, causing protrusion of the eyeball and severe swelling of the eyelids.
Symptoms of sinusitis

Frontal sinusitis, as a rule, is more severe than other sinusitis. Characterized by hyperthermia, difficulty in nasal breathing, and discharge from half of the nose on the affected side. Patients are concerned about intense pain in the forehead area, more pronounced in the morning. Some patients develop a decreased sense of smell and photophobia, and pain in the eyes.

The intensity of headaches decreases after emptying the affected sinus and increases when the outflow of contents becomes difficult. In some cases (usually with influenza frontal sinusitis), a change in skin color in the forehead, swelling of the eyebrow area and the upper eyelid on the affected side are detected.

Chronic sinusitis is often accompanied by hypertrophy of the mucous membrane of the middle nasal meatus. Polyps may appear. Sometimes inflammation spreads to bone structures, leading to their necrosis and the formation of fistulas.

Symptoms of sphenoiditis

Sphenoiditis rarely occurs in isolation. Usually develops simultaneously with inflammation of the ethmoid sinus. Patients complain of headaches in the orbit, the area of ​​the crown and back of the head, or the depth of the head. In chronic sphenoiditis, inflammation sometimes spreads to the optic chiasm, leading to progressive loss of vision. Often chronic sphenoiditis is accompanied by mild clinical symptoms.

Complications of sinusitis

With sinusitis, the pathological process may involve the orbit and intracranial structures. Inflammation spreading deeper can lead to bone damage and the development of osteomyelitis. The most common complication of sinusitis is meningitis. The disease most often occurs with inflammation of the ethmoid labyrinth and sphenoid sinus. With frontal sinusitis, an epidural abscess or subdural (less commonly) brain abscess may develop.

Timely diagnosis of complications with sinusitis is sometimes difficult due to mild clinical symptoms. Advanced intracranial complications of sinusitis have an unfavorable prognosis and can cause death.

Diagnosis of sinusitis

The diagnosis of sinusitis is made on the basis of a characteristic clinical picture, an objective examination and additional research data. In the diagnostic process, radiography of the paranasal sinuses in two projections, ultrasound, nuclear magnetic resonance and CT scan of the paranasal sinuses are used. According to indications, a CT or MRI of the brain is performed to exclude complications.

Treatment of sinusitis

Therapy for acute sinusitis is aimed at relieving pain, eliminating the cause of the inflammatory process and restoring drainage of the sinuses. To normalize the outflow, otolaryngologists use vasoconstrictor drugs (naphazoline, oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, etc.), which eliminate swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and sinus cavity.

The sinus evacuation method finds practical application for sinusitis. The procedure is carried out as follows: two catheters are inserted into different nasal passages. The antiseptic is fed into one catheter and aspirated through the other. Together with the antiseptic, pus and mucus are removed from the nasal cavity and sinus cavity.

For bacterial sinusitis, antibiotics are used. To free the sinus from pus, it is opened (sinusrotomy, etc.). For viral sinusitis, antibiotic therapy is not indicated, since antibiotics in this case are ineffective, can aggravate the disorder of the immune status, disrupt the normal composition of the microflora in the ENT organs and cause the process to become chronic.

Patients with acute sinusitis are prescribed antihistamines and absorbable drugs (to prevent the formation of adhesions in the inflamed sinuses). Antiallergic therapy is indicated for patients with sinusitis of allergic etiology. Treatment of exacerbation of chronic sinusitis is carried out according to principles similar to the treatment of acute inflammation. Physiotherapeutic procedures (diadynamic currents, UHF, etc.) are used during the treatment process.

If conservative treatment for chronic sinusitis is ineffective, surgical treatment is recommended. Surgeries performed on patients with chronic sinusitis are aimed at eliminating obstacles to normal drainage of the paranasal sinuses. Nasal polyps are removed with a laser, deviated nasal septum is corrected, etc. Surgeries on the sinuses are performed both using traditional methods and using endoscopic equipment.

Sinusitis - treatment in Moscow

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How to prevent complications of sinusitis

With sinusitis, the paranasal sinuses become inflamed. Although this disease is quite rare in both children and adults, as it manifests itself it can bring a lot of discomfort.

Sinusitis is scary not only with a high probability of relapse, but also with possible complications. These are the ones you should beware of and immediately consult a doctor at the first symptoms of the disease. Timely medical care is a guarantee of successful treatment of sinusitis complications.

Symptoms

The manifestations of this disease vary depending on the form of the disease - acute or chronic. Thus, acute sinusitis is characterized by prolonged rhinitis (runny nose), which does not go away for more than 7 days. The patient has a stuffy nose, and there is a feeling of excess pressure in the nasal passages. In most cases, clear secretion or purulent fluid is abundantly released from the nasal cavity.

Often mucus from the paranasal sinuses enters the oropharynx. The result is discomfort in the throat and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Possible expectoration of pus. Severe headaches occur regularly, general weakness and fatigue are noted even after minor physical exertion.

When the body is intoxicated by waste products of bacteria, the body temperature often rises to 39 degrees (low-grade fever). In addition, the acute form of sinusitis is often accompanied by lacrimation and increased sensitivity to bright light. Irritability, apathy appear, night sleep is disturbed, and appetite disappears. In many patients, the acuity of smell is noticeably reduced; after a night's sleep, the cheeks and wings of the nose may swell.

As for chronic sinusitis, in this case the symptoms will be less pronounced and slightly blurred. For this reason, it is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis; the doctor has to resort to hardware diagnostic methods.

Signs of chronic sinusitis:

  • nasal congestion;
  • violation of nasal breathing;
  • regular discharge from the nostrils;
  • sore throat and attacks of dry cough;
  • headache;
  • the appearance of bad breath.

Young children can also get sinusitis. As with the chronic form of the disease, the manifestations of the disease are mild. In children, sinusitis develops against the background of an incompletely cured cold, sore throat, flu or any other infectious disease. In some young patients, sinusitis is accompanied by otitis media.

Due to the vagueness of the clinical picture, when making a diagnosis in children, doctors focus on three key symptoms:

  • discharge of clear or purulent mucus from the nose;
  • bad breath;
  • general weakness of the body and fatigue.

Types and forms of sinusitis

Unlike ordinary rhinitis, as sinusitis develops, the inflammatory process affects the entire nasal mucosa. Pathogenic changes occur in one of the paranasal sinuses. Depending on the specific location of inflammation, the following types of sinusitis are distinguished:

  1. Sinusitis occurs most often and involves damage to the maxillary sinuses. At the initial stage of the disease, the mucous membrane thickens, swelling quickly develops, which blocks the evacuation of mucus from the nasal cavity. It stagnates within the sinus and serves as an excellent breeding ground for pathogens.
  2. Ethmoiditis is characterized by inflammation of the cells of the ethmoid labyrinth. Typically, this disease is a complication of influenza, acute rhinitis (runny nose) and other infectious diseases. The risk of ethmoiditis increases significantly if a person has too narrow passages of the ethmoid sinuses or a deviated nasal septum. This can provoke stagnation of mucus with all the ensuing consequences.
  3. The most severe and dangerous type of sinusitis is considered to be frontal sinusitis, in which the inflammatory process is localized within one or two frontal sinuses. As the disease develops, the patient experiences pain in the frontal region and above the eyebrows. They may intensify when tilting the head. As with other types of sinusitis, with frontal sinusitis the temperature rises, purulent foci appear and other characteristic symptoms appear.
  4. If pathological processes are concentrated in the sphenoid sinus, we are talking about sphenoiditis. In this case, you should pay attention to intense headaches, which even strong analgesics cannot cope with (unpleasant sensations are localized in the occipital or temporal region). Often the pain covers the parietal part and eye sockets.

In addition to the location of the inflammatory process, sinusitis is classified according to the characteristic features of its course. There are acute and chronic forms of sinusitis. Acute sinusitis lasts no more than 8 weeks.

As for the chronic, it is characterized by a cyclical process. In other words, pathological changes with varying intensity are constantly present, periodically intensifying and fading.

Complications of sinusitis

So, why is sinusitis dangerous? All infectious complications can be divided into intracranial and orbital. As a rule, they appear in advanced cases when the patient has ignored the problem for a long time or refused treatment. With orbital complications, the inflammatory process affects the cells of the ethmoid labyrinth, as well as the frontal sinuses. Infection through the blood (or fiber) can enter the soft tissues of the orbit, causing an abscess or phlegmon to develop.

The above complications, in addition to the main symptoms of sinusitis, are supplemented by pain in the orbit, impaired mobility of the eyeball, a noticeable decrease in visual acuity, and exophthalmos (displacement of the eyeball forward). Body temperature, as a rule, remains at the level of degrees. All signs of intoxication of the body are present (fatigue, general weakness, chills). Rehabilitation for orbital complications is carried out in the hospital with the direct participation of an ophthalmologist. If a retrobulbar abscess has formed (a purulent focus within the orbital cell), there is no way to do without surgical intervention.

Intracranial complications appear against the background of both acute and chronic forms of sinusitis, with suppuration of the nasal septum. The mechanism of their occurrence is quite simple. Pathogenic microflora from the sinus moves into the skull through the blood or fiber and forms a purulent accumulation there. Inflammation can be either diffuse or local. The most common intracranial complications are:

  • purulent meningitis;
  • arachnoiditis (inflammation of the arachnoid membrane of the spinal cord or brain);
  • brain abscesses.

Without exception, all intracranial complications manifest themselves clearly and intensely. This applies to both local and general symptoms. The patient complains of severe headaches, his body temperature rises, and chills appear. Often, these symptoms are supplemented by nausea and vomiting, convulsions, and increased muscle tone in the back of the head (rigidity).

As for neurological manifestations, their nature entirely depends on the severity of the complication and its location. The consequences of sinusitis should only be treated in a hospital under the supervision of doctors. As a rule, a surgical method is used; it is aimed at draining (cleaning) the infectious focus.

In combination with surgical intervention, powerful antibacterial therapy is prescribed. Unfortunately, often even such radical methods do not help save patients’ lives.

Drug treatment

Sinusitis, the complications of which are quite varied, is not difficult to treat. It's harder to deal with its consequences. To completely protect yourself from possible complications, it is necessary to promptly begin to eliminate any type of sinusitis. At first, you can get by with drug therapy. It is prescribed for:

  • acute phase of chronic sinusitis;
  • severe course of the disease;
  • suspected meningitis or phlegmon;
  • sinusitis complicated by other diseases.

The primary goal of treatment is to eliminate intense pain and improve the patient’s condition. For this purpose, painkillers are prescribed. In combination with them, drugs for constricting blood vessels are used - "Oxymetazoline", "Sanorin", "Nazol" and others (they are used carefully so as not to overdry the mucous membrane).

When sinusitis is caused by pathogenic bacteria, a wide range of antibacterial agents may be prescribed. The acute form of sinusitis is treated with Cefuroxime or Amoxicillin.

If the patient is intolerant to the components of these drugs, others are prescribed - Levofloxacin, Azithromycin and Moxifloxacin. In especially advanced and severe cases, three-stage antibacterial therapy is used.

At the initial stage of treatment, inhalations based on the drug “Fusafyungin” are used. Such procedures complement the use of antibiotics. Chronic sinusitis is treated with the same drugs with a slightly lower dosage, but longer. If the disease is of allergic origin, antihistamines are prescribed instead of antibiotics.

Alternative therapy and prevention

If we talk about non-drug treatment, then in this case the following methods of influence come to the rescue:

  1. Therapeutic and diagnostic puncture using a special probe. It allows you to determine the nature of the inflammatory process and drain the sinus. The wall of the sinus is punctured, pus is pumped out from its cavity, and then antiseptic and antibacterial solutions are introduced. For frontal sinusitis, this procedure is performed daily.
  1. Use of a sinus catheter to rinse the nasal cavity and affected sinuses. A catheter is inserted into both nostrils, then the nasal cavity is washed and disinfected.

What you need to know about preventing sinusitis? First of all, pay attention to timely and effective treatment of seasonal colds, rhinitis, flu and some other infectious diseases. This is very important, because they are the ones who activate the inflammatory process in the paranasal sinuses. Always discuss treatment tactics with your doctor.

One should not lose sight of the anatomical defects of the nasal cavity. If the nasal septum is deviated, anomalies in the development of the nasal passages and sinuses are diagnosed, you should not hesitate. The sooner they are eliminated, the less likely the occurrence of sinusitis and its complications.

Try not to get too cold and minimize your time spent outdoors in winter. Always dress for the season and wear a hat (this will protect you from frontal flu). Anyone who is prone to allergies should avoid contact with allergens (dust, animal dander, plant pollen, etc.).

Sinusitis develops rapidly in a weak body, whose defenses are reduced. Therefore, practice hardening - one of the most effective ways to increase immunity. Always listen to yourself and at the first symptoms of an illness, immediately seek professional help. Be healthy!

Author: Max Galinkovsky

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