Most often, sinusitis develops against a background of colds. The main reason for this is viruses. Sinusitis can manifest itself periodically, also acquire a chronic form. In more detail you can see in the picture how sinusitis looks.
General description of the disease
The sinuses of the nose are the cavities of the cranial bone, which are filled with air, they are covered by the mucous membrane. The cells that are there form a thin secret film in which, for example, unwanted pathogens are also captured during the ingress of dust or dirt particles.
On the surface of the cells of the mucous membrane there are small mobile hairs that continuously transport the secretion film towards the nasal cavity, from there to the throat, thus, the inhaled dust and dirt are removed from the sinuses of the nose, and then are swallowed along with a thin, invisible and imperceptible secret.
With inflammation of the mucous membrane, for example, during a cold, this process can stop, as a result of which the membrane begins to produce much more secretions than usual. This, in turn, can provoke the fact that the small connecting channels between the nose and paranasal sinuses begin to swell and clog.
Sinuses will no longer be properly ventilated, and the secret can move more slowly. Thus, an ideal nutrient medium is formed for pathogens that provoke the development of sinusitis. What sinusitis looks like - in the picture you can see.
Causes of sinusitis
The most common cause of sinusitis is a common cold. This disease almost always develops against a background of weakened immunity in combination with existing infections, viruses and bacteria in the body. More often than not, bacteria provoke this ailment. Bacterial sinusitis is often caused by pneumococci, staphylococci and streptococci. Less often provocateurs are fungi.
Experts say that the mucous membrane of the sinuses of the nose actually in fact almost always fights dangerous microbes. This is especially true when it becomes inflamed. However, a person does not notice this. Sinusitis will develop or not, depends on the strength of the protective functions of the body and the properties of the main pathogen.
The development of sinusitis can also contribute to an allergic rhinitis, which can be acute or chronic. It can be clearly seen above in the picture what sinusitis looks like.
There is also dental sinusitis, which develops due to existing problems with the teeth, for example, an infection in the root of the tooth, root granulomas or a cyst of the jaw cavity after tooth extraction. In this case, microbes from the upper jaw fall into neighboring sinuses, which leads to the development of sinusitis.
In some people, the so-called ventilation of the sinuses is permanently impaired, because of which the outflow of secretion is constantly impaired. This can occur as a result of benign proliferation of the mucosa, which is called "nasal polyps." This also occurs due to large nasal concha, violation of the structure of the nasal septum, as well as existing tumors. Such anatomical features sometimes contribute to the development of sinusitis or prevent its elimination.
Symptoms of sinusitis
You can visually examine in the picture how sinusitis looks. But at the same time, the typical symptoms of the disease are:
- aching headaches;
- outflow of secretion into the throat;
- purulent secretion;
- violation of smell;
- nasal congestion;
- toothache in the upper jaw;
- sometimes soreness when feeling the nose.
The most common symptom is headaches and pains in the face, and the localization depends on which sinuses become inflamed. If inflammation is observed in the frontal sinuses, then the pain focuses mainly on the forehead and eyes. The maxillary sinuses (actually sinusitis) provoke pain on the cheekbones and upper jaw. If the sinuses are deep in the nose, then headaches may appear.
In parallel with this, a person feels strong pressure on his forehead and cheekbones. Typically, these symptoms are worse with bending, coughing, sneezing, or bumping. Affected areas on the face above the corresponding sinuses may swell. Complaints are often limited to only one symptom. At the same time, many patients notice that a secret is constantly in the throat. In parallel with this, the patient begins to discern odors poorly.
In young children, quite often the infection spreads to the ears, causing inflammation.
Signs of chronic sinusitis are more pronounced than symptoms of acute inflammation. At the same time, patients may feel weakened, feel strong pressure on the affected sinuses, constantly suffer from headaches, breathe badly through the nose and not perceive any odors at all. Some at the same time feel a constant swelling of the mucous membrane in the throat.
The photo will show in more detail what sinusitis looks like in an X-ray image.
The duration of the disease
In most cases, with the right treatment, sinusitis can be cured in 2 weeks. If the duration of treatment is at least 6 weeks, then in 90% of cases all patients are cured. However, it is worth paying attention to the fact that up to 10% of the world's population suffer precisely from chronic sinusitis. This form of the disease can last for years and throughout life, while delivering severe discomfort to a person. What sinusitis looks like on an x-ray, is seen above.
Establishing diagnosis
The diagnosis of sinusitis can be made by both the therapist and the otolaryngologist. First of all, specialists take into account typical symptoms. Also, the doctor can examine the oral cavity and throat for existing purulent accumulations on the posterior pharyngeal walls. This may indicate acute sinusitis. All this will be clearly visible in the X-ray, where both the sinusitis and the doctor and the patient will see.
And after a blood test, additional information may be provided. Thanks to this, it becomes clear in what form the disease develops.
To recognize the chronic form, the doctor examines the sinuses with a special optical instrument with a speculum and a thin endoscope. Thus, all mucous membranes can be easily seen. With inflammation, they redden and swell. In addition, the doctor can see the accumulated, possibly purulent, secret. Thanks to such studies, nasal polyps, tumors of the mucous membrane, and curvature of the nasal septum are often found. In some cases, for example, with human immunodeficiency, the doctor takes a smear of nasal secretion to identify pathogens and the appointment of appropriate antibiotics. It can be seen above in the photo what sinusitis looks like in adults in an X-ray image.
Treatment methods
If sinusitis causes severe and persistent pain, or if it manifests itself not the first time, then this is an occasion to consult a doctor as soon as possible. You can be treated for this disease at home. For this, it is necessary to periodically do a nose wash with physiological and saline solutions. Such formulations, as a rule, cleanse the mucous membrane and contribute to the outflow of secretion. Nevertheless, it is worth paying attention to the fact that such solutions can irritate the mucous membrane, which interferes with the treatment of many patients.
Home treatment
Another way of home therapy is the inhalation of vapors. To carry out this procedure, you need hot water. However, when inhaling the vapors, one must be very careful not to scald the mucous membranes. It is recommended to add chamomile, essential oils or sea salt to the water.
Herbal remedies can also help in the fight against sinusitis. For example, gentian root or eucalyptus is ideal for the treatment of acute sinusitis. However, sometimes these herbs can cause stomach problems. Therefore, before treatment, it is necessary to consult a specialist in order to avoid side effects, especially this applies to cases when sinusitis in a child is observed. What the x-ray looks like in the picture can be seen at the pediatrician after examination.
Pharmacy products
You can also buy in the pharmacy special drops or spray for the nose, which contain the active substance xylometazoline or oxymetazoline. The most acceptable for the nasal mucosa is drugs without benzalkonium chloride. It is important to note that they are used for treatment for a maximum of one week, otherwise addiction or even addiction can occur.
As soon as the effect of the drug decreases, the nasal mucosa begins to swell even more, which forces the patient to reapply the drug. In parallel with this, the mucous membrane may dry out. For this reason, the patient must consult with his doctor in order to select and use a specific drug.
Other medicines that are prescribed only by a specialist can also be used.
Operation
If treatment with drugs and folk remedies did not give any result, then surgical intervention is required, after the doctor examines what sinusitis looks like on an x-ray, a photo of the example was given above.
If necessary, during the operation, septoplasty is performed, which straightens or widens the nasal passage, and also removes nasal polyps. These actions, as a rule, are carried out using special tools that penetrate the nasal cavity. External sections are quite rare in practice today.