Sometimes it happens not just a runny nose, but a more serious inflammatory disease associated with the nose. Most often this happens in dank autumn weather. And then, returning from the otolaryngologist, I have to think: "What is the difference?" Sinusitis and sinusitis, rhinitis, sphenoiditis and ethmoiditis, frontal sinusitis are often difficult to pronounce these names. However, there are differences between them, and if one of these diseases touched the person himself or someone close to him, it would be useful to figure it out.
What are sinuses?
Before figuring out what is the difference between sinusitis and sinusitis, a little theoretical knowledge is needed. As a matter of fact, sine is not only a mathematical term. The sinuses in medicine are also called the sinuses. These are three paired and one unpaired air cavities located in the skull and directly connected with the main nasal cavity. They begin to form even in utero, and their development continues throughout childhood, as the skull grows. You can understand what sinusitis and sinusitis are, what is the difference between them, and whether it exists at all, if you have an idea why the sinuses are needed , where they are located, what they are called and why they sometimes become inflamed. It is in these sinuses that inflammatory processes occur with the so-called sinusitis.
Types and purpose of the sinuses
So, the anatomy of the human skull is such that the nasal cavity is connected with narrow passages with its sinuses. Two frontal sinuses are located above the eyebrows. A pair of maxillary - maxillary - sinuses is localized in the area of the wings of the nose. On both sides of the nose there are ethmoid sinuses. In the depths of the skull is the only sphenoid sinus.
What is the purpose of these air cavities is not completely clear. But there is an opinion that in this way nature took care of reducing the mass of the human skull. It is also possible that the sinuses to some extent play the role of buffers for injuries. There are also more obvious functions: in these cavities the inhaled air is effectively warmed and moistened, with their help a unique voice timbre is created.
The inflammatory process, called sinusitis, is able to concentrate in any of the existing sinuses - that is the difference. Sinusitis and sinusitis are only the most famous terms, in fact there are more.
What are sinusitis?
Sinusitis - one of the most common inflammation of the sinuses of the nose - this is nothing more than a private form of sinusitis. Therefore, strictly speaking, such a statement of the question - how is sinusitis different from sinusitis, what is the difference between them - is incorrect. With sinusitis, one or both maxillary sinuses is inflamed. In second place in the ranking of the frequency of lesions is the ethmoid labyrinth, and its inflammation is called ethmoiditis. Inflammations of the frontal and sphenoid sinuses are referred to as frontitis and sphenoiditis, respectively.
But all this is sinusitis, and by the hearing of people who do not have a medical education, most often diseases such as sinusitis and sinusitis. The specialist will always explain if the patient asks what the difference is: sinusitis and sinusitis are essentially the same disease, only the first term is a broader, more collective one. The diagnosis of sinusitis means that sinusitis is localized in the maxillary sinuses.
The main causes of sinus inflammation
As mentioned above, sinusitis is an inflammatory process. By the way, various deformations and anomalies in the structure of the nose can contribute to it: curvature of the nasal septum, too narrow sinuses, the presence of polyps. Most often, viral diseases lead to sinusitis. Less commonly, bacteria cause sinusitis. Against the background of a weakened immune system, sinusitis can be triggered by a fungal infection. It is also worth mentioning that sinusitis can be allergic in nature and develop against the background of hay fever.
Whatever the initial reason, as a result, the mucous membrane of the sinuses becomes inflamed and swells, they cease to be cleaned and ventilated normally, the secret stagnates. So any sinusitis and sinusitis develops. What is the difference - this is in the dislocation of the inflammatory process in a particular cavity.
Disease risk factors
In addition to the above, there are additional reasons that, with prolonged exposure, can lead to sinusitis. In case of serious and chronic problems with the teeth, the accompanying infections and bacteria may very well trigger the occurrence of sinusitis. In addition, if a person’s lifestyle or work is associated with constant changes in atmospheric pressure - frequent hops, for example - then narrowing of the sinuses can lead to their blockage, and, as a result, provoke sinusitis. Chronic inhalation of air contaminated with cigarette smoke or industrial substances can cause damage to the ciliated epithelium, which is responsible for the evacuation of mucus from the sinuses. The result is its stagnation, the consequence is sinusitis and sinusitis, the differences between which we have already found out.
Symptoms of Sinus
Symptoms of sinusitis, including sinusitis, include a number of common symptoms. Sinusitis is necessarily accompanied by a headache. Almost always, the patient is worried about nasal congestion and a runny nose, which can be of varying intensity. In this case, itching in the nose and sneezing are possible, the voice becomes nasal, and the smell is almost gone. May cause halitosis. With the course of the disease, the general condition of a person worsens: the temperature rises, chills, the patient experiences weakness, and appetite disappears. Many symptoms, as can be seen, resemble SARS, and some are specific.
It is clear that depending on which of the sinuses was affected by the inflammatory process, the symptoms may vary. You have to imagine what the difference is. Sinusitis and sinusitis, as already mentioned, are necessarily accompanied by pain, but they can be localized in different ways. And when the patient complains that the head hurts, the doctor will ask you what the nature of this pain is, and where, in fact, it is concentrated.
With inflammation of the frontal sinuses - frontal sinusitis - strong, bursting pain will be in the forehead and eyes, with possible swelling of the upper eyelid. This is a very dangerous type of sinusitis, since in the absence of appropriate treatment, inflammation can spread to the brain.
If the maxillary sinus, maxillary sinuses are inflamed, then we are talking about sinusitis. The pain in this case can resemble a toothache - the upper jaw will hurt, and the pain will intensify when you press on the cheeks.
With infections in the sinuses of the ethmoidal labyrinth, the pain spreads to the nose bridge, nose wings, eyes. This is ethmoiditis, and since the ethmoid sinuses are located deep enough, serious complications can occur.
Sphenoiditis - inflammation of the sphenoid sinus - is rare, but is sometimes a complication of ethmoiditis. At the same time, the neck, the back of the head, and the upper part of the head hurt. Inflammation can spread to the optic nerves, and this is very dangerous.
Sinusitis treatment
Having found out what is the difference between these terms - sinusitis and sinusitis - the difference, it would be nice to know all about the treatment of different types of sinusitis. No need to rush to drink antibiotics. They will help only in the case of bacterial sinusitis, and it is much less common than viral. And against viruses, antibiotics are powerless.
Thus, the first step is to relieve pain, reduce swelling of the mucous membranes and ensure the removal of excess mucus and pus from the sinuses. As for medicines, antibiotics, antihistamines and decongestants should be prescribed by a doctor. In advanced cases, even surgical intervention may be required.
Non-drug treatment at home is possible only with such sinusitis that is not accompanied by an acute course of infection. Rinsing and irrigation of the nasal cavity, heavy drinking, steam inhalation - these are the measures that can alleviate the condition of the patient.
Sinusitis Prevention
Everything is simple: to avoid complications in the form of sinusitis, you need to thoroughly treat any types of rhinitis, treat teeth in time, if necessary, correct anatomical disorders in the nasal cavity, and also work to strengthen the immune system.