Fungal sinusitis is a dangerous disease that is difficult to treat, like any similar ailment. The main danger is that it can go into a chronic form, in this case, remain in the patient’s body for the rest of his life. Its main causative agent is pathogenic fungi that can cause a lot of problems to the patient. In this article, we will talk about the causes of this disease, its symptoms and treatment.
About the disease
Fungal sinusitis is accompanied by inflammatory processes that develop in the maxillary sinuses. The acute stage of the disease develops very rapidly. In the absence of the necessary and effective therapy, the disease passes into the chronic stage.
Mostly the disease develops in two forms. It can be mycetoma or true fungal sinusitis. In this case, without exception, the symptoms of the disease are provoked by increased activity of the pathogenic flora. The epicenter of the development of the disease is in the maxillary sinuses. The fungus grows rapidly, spontaneously affects the mucous membrane of the nose, changing its usual composition, multiply unsystematically.
The second form is an allergy to the fungus. In this case, this is not a disease, but a response of the human immune system to the detection of a pathogenic fungus in the surrounding atmosphere. This type also requires timely therapy, but most doctors still focus on the development of mycetoma.
Stages of the disease
There are two stages of fungal sinusitis, on which the clinical outcome, the healing process, and the treatment time directly depend.
Stage can be non-invasive. In this situation, the disease lends itself to successful treatment, the disease proceeds without complications. In most cases, the functions of the immune system are not impaired; sinusitis is amenable to effective drug therapy.
With an invasive stage, which is much less common, the risk of irreversible effects on the immune system is high, and it is also dangerous with all sorts of complications.
You need to be aware that this is a serious diagnosis. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a specialist for appropriate help, undergo all the necessary diagnostics to determine if there is a fungal infection in the body, what is its origin.
Causes
This type of sinusitis can appear at any age. The main reason for its occurrence is the ingress of various kinds of harmful fungi into the maxillary sinuses. It can be Aspergillus, Candida, Mycorrhiza.
The main danger lies in the fact that at first a dangerous and pathogenic infection does not manifest itself. When the patient has no provocative factors, it may even persist in the nasal mucosa, remaining for a long time in the so-called sleeping stage.
Disease background
There are several provoking factors that can contribute to the active development of this disease. As a rule, an attack begins when one or several of the following conditions occur:
- penetration into the nasal passages of foreign bodies, which lead to infection of the mucous membrane;
- seasonal weakening of the immune system due to colds, vitamin deficiency, viral disease;
- a long course of taking antibiotics, which can significantly reduce the body's immune response;
- injuries to the nasal septum or the nose itself;
- chronic diseases of the endocrine system or hormonal disorders;
- hypothermia over a long time;
- regular clinical episodes of rhinitis of various varieties, including allergic.
These pathogenic factors are the impetus for the appearance of the first relapse, in most cases it turns out to be a complete surprise to the patient. It is important to quickly start effective therapy. Knowing what are the symptoms of fungal sinusitis, you can start treatment on time. Let's consider them in detail.
Symptoms
Symptoms of this disease can occur with different intensities. It all depends on the condition of the patient. You need to understand that this type of sinusitis does not require urgent hospitalization. But it is important to monitor your condition, pay attention to all significant changes in well-being.
The main symptom of fungal sinusitis is the allocation of a characteristic brown color from the nasal sinuses. In addition, in the maxillary sinuses themselves, characteristic painful sensations appear. It is important to remember that mucus of a different color will indicate a different type of sinusitis. White mucus is a Candida fungus, and yellow is a mold fungus. The remaining symptoms directly depend on the neglect of the disease and the form of the disease itself.
Signs of the disease depending on its form
If the patient has mycetoma, then it is characterized by the following symptoms:
- violation of nasal breathing;
- swelling of the nasal mucosa;
- systemic migraine attacks;
- painful condition of the upper jaw, which is accompanied by numbness of the teeth;
- discharge from the nose is accompanied by an unpleasant odor and bloody impurities.
In an adult, the symptoms of allergic fungal sinusitis are as follows:
- polyps in the nasal passages;
- rare but severe headaches;
- mucous discharge from the nose;
- lack of sense of smell;
- feeling of fullness in the sinus.
All complaints that concern you should be told in detail to the doctor so that he has the opportunity to compile a complete picture of the disease. In this case, after a comprehensive examination, it will be possible to establish exactly how to treat fungal sinusitis in adults. Symptoms will tell you exactly what form of the disease the patient suffers from. The diagnosis must be made on time so that the disease does not spill over into a chronic form, reminding oneself of painful and unpleasant attacks until the end of life.
Diagnostics
In the accurate diagnosis, full-fledged clinical studies, which the doctor must conduct, will help. If you suspect yourself of this disease, then immediately consult an otolaryngologist. The doctor will collect data for an exhaustive history. The following clinical examination methods are required for a definitive diagnosis: CT, X-ray of the nasal sinuses, mycological examination in the laboratory, ultrasound of the nasal sinuses.
When the disease is precisely established, the doctor can decide on the treatment of fungal sinusitis in an adult. Mostly conservative therapy is used. Its ultimate goal is the destruction of pathogenic flora. It is also necessary to clean the maxillary sinuses from the remnants of mucus and strengthen the weakened immunity of the patient.
For this, various medicines of various pharmacological groups are prescribed. In this case, it is important to categorically exclude self-medication.
Therapy
Treatment of fungal sinusitis has some features that you need to know about. At the initial stage, topical antifungal drugs are prescribed. These are drops, ointments, sprays, gels. Thus, it is possible to efficiently and quickly destroy the pathogenic flora. Among the most common medications of this type, Ketoconazole, Amphotericin, Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Nystatin, and Terbinafine should be noted.
To activate the body's immune response, immunostimulants are used, which should be taken orally. With their help, it is possible to significantly strengthen the organic resource. These are medicines "Anaferon", "Imunorix", "Imudon", "Immunal", "Echinacea", "Arbidol".
To reduce the intensity of the symptoms themselves and eliminate increased swelling of the nasal mucosa, topical glucocorticosteroids will be required. High efficiency demonstrate "Nazonex", "Avamis", "Flixonase."
Antihistamines play an important role in alleviating the general well-being of the patient, helping to relieve nasal congestion. With this disease, Supradin, Loratadin, Zirtek, L-Cet, Suprastin, Cetrin, and Desloratadine have proven themselves well.
Generic herbal preparations do not interfere. It can be tincture of Aralia, wild rose, leuzea or ginseng. In the scheme of complex therapy, vitamins must be present. For example, the multivitamin complexes "Complivit", "Duovit", "Pikovit", "Alphabet".
These are the most effective ways to treat fungal sinusitis.
Antibiotics are contraindicated
It is worth remembering that with this disease, taking antibiotics externally and internally is not just not recommended, but strictly prohibited. Because of these drugs, the clinical picture can only worsen significantly.
Finally, to summarize, it should be noted that the patient must first understand how serious and dangerous the disease is. His treatment is always lengthy, but often unsuccessful. For example, it is not possible to prevent the transition of sinusitis into a chronic form. Therefore, therapy should be started as soon as possible. In this case, be patient, follow all medical recommendations. Exclude self-medication and believe in a future recovery. Only in this case, success awaits you.