Quite often, the nasal mucosa can become inflamed in case of exposure to various viruses, bacteria, fungi, allergies. Doctors distinguish several types of inflammation. Among the common signs you need to highlight pain, fever, breathing problems, as well as the appearance of discharge from the nose.
When the first signs appear, it is important to diagnose and treat to prevent the development of complications.
Types of pathological condition
Symptoms and treatment of sinus inflammation can be different, it all depends on the particular course of the pathological process. It is important to correctly determine the type of disease and conduct treatment.
The sinuses of a healthy person are normally filled with air, which moves freely through the anastomosis. In a sick person, various fluids accumulate in them, in particular, such as mucus and pus, which leads to inflammation. This can be promoted by neoplasms appearing in the nasal passage. Modern medicine distinguishes between such types of pathology as:
- sinusitis;
- ethmoiditis;
- sphenoiditis;
- sinusitis;
- frontal sinusitis.
If all the sinuses are inflamed at the same time, then this is pansinusitis. In this case, the symptoms of each of the diseases are different, which makes diagnosis difficult. Distinguish between acute and chronic course of the disease. The latter mainly manifests itself when the treatment of a cold was carried out poorly, as a result of which the inflammatory process begins in the patient's nose.
Therefore, it is very important to know the symptoms of inflammation of the nasal sinuses, so that when the very first signs appear, consult a doctor immediately. You can not self-medicate.
Disease in children
Inflammation of the nasal sinuses in a child (a photo of a child suffering from an ailment can be seen below) is quite common. Some difficulties in the diagnosis are that the manifestations of the pathology are quite extensive. It is very difficult to diagnose newborns and infants.
Older children with sinus inflammation complain of mucopurulent discharge from the nose, nasal congestion, shortness of breath, and a feeling of fullness in the eye area. With an acute course of the disease, an increase in temperature is also noted. In babies, inflammation is characterized by a longer course. It is manifested by shortness of breath, fetid breath, cough, nasal congestion.
In infants, the disease is accompanied by general symptoms, such as moodiness, lack of appetite, weight loss, tearfulness, poor sleep. Often there is also swelling of the eyelids. This is due to the fact that in babies the ethmoid sinus is located near the eye sockets, and the wall between them is still not formed enough.
Treatment is selected separately for each baby, depending on his age, form of the disease and severity. Often it includes taking antibiotics for 2-3 weeks, as well as drugs whose action is aimed at narrowing the sinus mucosa. Also required are antihistamines, antipyretic, painkillers, moisturizers.
If conservative treatment does not provide any improvement and bone destruction begins, surgery may be required. The danger of acute inflammation is that in the absence of therapy, complications can occur. Therefore, with this diagnosis, the child is often hospitalized.
Fungal disease
It occurs quite often. In this case, only one sinus can be affected or both at once. The most common fungal inflammation occurs in people who often take antibiotics and undergo local steroid therapy.
Fungal infections can occur in people with HIV, as well as in people with diabetes. The cause of its occurrence is often fungi belonging to the genus Mukor, Candida. Symptoms are similar to bacterial infections.
The course of the disease may vary somewhat. It can be mild and gradual or swift and heavy. Treatment is carried out surgically, which involves the removal of fungal masses and polyps from the nasal passages. Additionally, antifungal medications are required.
Chronic form of the disease
Chronic inflammation of the sinuses is characterized by a prolonged course. Symptoms may persist for 2-3 months, even with all the required treatment measures. This form of the disease occurs in children and adults. Often, the maxillary sinuses are affected, and inflammation of the frontal sinuses is somewhat less common.
Among the signs of chronic inflammation, it should be noted the presence of discharge from the nose, having a watery, mucous or mixed character. Also, symptoms are difficulty breathing due to nasal congestion, pain, cough, sore throat, provoked by the flow of mucus in the back of the throat.
Perhaps the appearance of a headache, localized mainly in the eyes, forehead and nose. Often the patient is disturbed or the sense of smell is lost. Chronic inflammation can lead to the proliferation of polyps of the mucosa and fill them throughout the nasal cavity. It is mainly observed in people with immunity problems, or in those who suffer from diseases of the oral cavity and teeth.
Acute inflammation can pass into the chronic stage if treatment is not started in a timely manner or is carried out incorrectly or incompletely. Pathogens also play an important role, as well as the anatomical features of the location of the mouth of the nasal passages. For diagnosis, a patient is examined and examined using specialized techniques.
Often there is a need for a puncture of the affected sinus. Treatment of chronic inflammation involves the removal of a pathologically altered mucosa and the expansion of the mouth. Of the medications prescribed antibiotics, glucocorticosteroids, which reduce the mucous membrane and remove mucus from the nose.
Causes of occurrence
Deformation of the intranasal structure can provoke inflammation, namely:
- hypertrophic rhinitis;
- structural anomalies;
- curvature of the nasal septum.
The most common factor provoking the inflammatory process is viruses. As a result, the mucous membranes produce an excessive amount of mucus. It is dangerous if a bacterial infection joins a viral disease.
In addition, inflammation of the amniotic sinuses can be triggered by a fungus. It can be caused by the constant use of antibiotics, which adversely affect the immune system, disrupt the microflora and lead to the occurrence of infectious mycosis.
Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses may not always be triggered by microbes. Quite often, cold air and certain chemicals can become causes. The cause of the development of the inflammatory process may be an allergic reaction. It leads to vasomotor rhinitis and severe swelling of the mucosa.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of sinus inflammation and treatment of the disease are interconnected, it all depends on the particular course of the pathological process. With sinusitis, the patient develops abundant and thick discharge from the nose, having a yellow or green color. A persistent headache is also observed. In the inflamed area, pain is noted, there is a feeling of pressure from the inside, especially with palpation and tilting the head.
A cough may also occur due to the constant drainage of mucus along the back of the throat and its irritation. Gradually, the symptoms increase, the temperature rises and overall health worsens.
With sinusitis, inflammation of the maxillary sinuses occurs. There is both a main symptomatology and additional symptoms, namely:
- nasal congestion on both sides;
- nasal voice;
- loss of smell;
- pain in the upper jaw;
- hearing loss;
- feeling of fullness.
With frontal sinusitis, inflammation of the frontal sinuses occurs. This disease is much less common than sinusitis, but it is more complicated. Symptoms characteristic of this disease are:
- swelling and discomfort in the eyes and nose;
- pain over the eyebrows and in the forehead;
- hard breath;
- photophobia.
Ethmoiditis is an inflammation of the ethmoid sinus. Due to the location of the cavity, the characteristic features are the pain in the nose, swelling and redness of the inner corner of the orbit. The discharge has a fetid odor. This disease is rare, but threatens with dangerous complications.
Sphenoiditis is an inflammation of the main sinus, that is, a wedge-shaped cavity. This disease very often takes a chronic form and is difficult to treat. Basically, patients suffer from symptoms such as:
- neck pain;
- discomfort in the nasopharynx;
- copious discharge;
- visual impairment;
- double vision.
If characteristic symptoms occur, you should immediately visit a doctor for an examination.
Diagnostics
To determine how to treat sinus inflammation in adults, you need to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis. Initially, the doctor conducts a survey and examination of the patient. In this disease, a laboratory blood test may indicate severe leukocytosis. Usually this indicates the occurrence of acute inflammation.
The most complete information about the condition of the sinuses can be obtained during computed tomography. A similar technique helps to identify mucous polyps, fluid accumulation and other pathological changes.
Radiographic techniques for examining the nose have become much less common, as they are less informative than tomography. They are mainly used in acute forms of inflammation. Sometimes a puncture of the sinuses is indicated to take the contents and administer the medicine.
Treatment features
When the first symptoms of sinus inflammation appear, treatment should be started immediately to prevent the rapid spread of the pathological process and the occurrence of complications. Systemic therapy includes the use of drugs such as:
- antibiotics
- anti-inflammatory;
- antihistamines;
- mucolytics.
In addition, nasal drops, saline flushing and physiotherapy are required. In severe cases, surgery may be required.
Drug treatment
How to cure sinus inflammation? This can only be determined by the doctor after the examination. At the initial stage of the course of the disease, nose washing with saline is carried out. Saline or sprays with sea salt are well suited for this. Well-proven products such as Aquamaris or Humer.
They dilute the secretion of the nasal sinuses, eliminate puffiness, and reduce inflammation. These drugs contribute to the narrowing of blood vessels in the mucosa. Together with the liquid, mucus, viruses and foreign particles are excreted. However, it is impossible to use only saline solutions as monotherapy.
A vasoconstrictor treatment will help to quickly eliminate the symptoms of sinus inflammation. These drugs have certain pros and cons. This medicine helps eliminate swelling for 12 hours, which helps to recover and reduce discomfort. However, it is worth remembering that with prolonged use, these drops are addictive. You can use them no more than 5-7 days. Good are considered such funds as "Naftizin", "Otrivin". For children, it is recommended to use the medicine in a diluted dosage.
In the treatment of purulent inflammation of the sinuses, it may be necessary to use mucolytics, which will help to remove thick mucus. In addition, these agents help improve epithelial function. Sinupret has good properties. It has a natural composition, so it rarely provokes side effects. Mucolytics are distinguished by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. They favorably affect the course of the disease.
To eliminate puffiness and faster discharge of mucus, hormones are prescribed. This is an effective medicine for sinus inflammation, which does not have a harmful effect on the body. That is why hormonal drugs can even be used to treat children. Well-proven drugs such as "Nazonex", "Avamis", "Flixonase."
In case of bacterial infection, antibiotics are required for sinus inflammation. Mostly penicillin drugs are prescribed, in particular, such as Amoxicillin. They act very quickly on bacteria. In some cases, this drug is not enough. Bacteria adapt very easily and produce drug resistant strains. This greatly complicates the conduct of therapy.
With sinusitis, as well as allergies to penicillin, macrolides can be prescribed, in particular, such as Erythromycin or Azithromycin. These agents effectively affect bacteria and rarely cause the resistance of pathogens.
It is worth remembering that the medicine for inflammation of the nasal sinuses should be selected only by the attending doctor, taking into account the available indications and contraindications.
Folk remedies
Many are interested in how to quickly remove inflammation of the nasal sinuses with the help of folk remedies, since they are effective and safe. It is worth remembering that they can be used only at the initial stages of the course of the disease and after consultation with the treating doctor to prevent the development of complications.
A good remedy is steam inhalation over jacket-boiled potatoes. The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes. After its completion, you need to clean your nose and go to bed, while covering your face with a towel.
Hot compresses that need to be applied to the face in the area of the maxillary sinuses help to cope with inflammation of the sinuses. To do this, use hard-boiled eggs, heated sand, sea salt, placed in a bag. You can also apply on the sinuses of the nose cakes of rye flour and honey.
You can also use various drops made from the juice of medicinal plants. For example, you can use the juice of garlic, aloe, red beets, Kalanchoe, diluted with water.
Surgery
If the patient has parietal sinus inflammation, surgery may be required. When the normal outflow of fluid is disturbed and it cannot be normalized by other means, a sinus puncture may be required. This is an invasive intervention that should only be performed by a specialist.
In addition, the doctor can open the sinus with special tools and clean it from pathological contents.
Prophylaxis
It is important not only to know how to cure sinus inflammation, but also how to prevent the onset of the disease. As preventive measures, you can recommend such as:
- complex treatment of the respiratory system;
- getting rid of all foci of infection;
- increase immunity;
- establishing the required microclimate in the house;
- conducting sanitary and hygienic procedures.
You need to be very careful about various colds, as often they lead to various kinds of inflammation in the sinuses.