Sinusitis is a dangerous disease associated with inflammation of the sinuses. Correct diagnosis and timely therapy will help to avoid complications. It is recommended to seek help at the very first symptoms of the pathological process.
Disease Description
Inflammation of the sinuses is accompanied by shortness of breath and mucous discharge from the nose. The same symptoms develop with a common cold. Adequate therapy will allow the timely diagnosis of sinusitis. You can not engage in self-medication. Drugs to eliminate inflammation will be prescribed by the doctor after a thorough examination.
The maxillary sinus is a cavity filled with air. With its help, the pressure is equalized in other cavities of the skull. In addition, the maxillary sinuses are involved in cleansing and warming the air inhaled by the nose. The sound of a specific person’s voice also depends on this cavity. The sinuses communicate with the nose through tiny openings. And if pathogenic bacteria enter the cavity through them, inflammation develops.
Unfortunately, the diagnosis of sinusitis in adults and children is not always carried out correctly. Patients pay attention only to mucous discharge and begin to treat the disease with antiviral drops. Sinusitis is often caused by pathogenic bacteria. To eliminate the symptoms of the pathological process, it is necessary to use antibiotics.
Most often, the disease is caused by staphylococci and streptococci. An interesting fact is that children under 6 years of age rarely experience the disease due to the anatomical features of the structure of the skull. In children 7-8 years old, sinusitis can already occur. Diagnosis and treatment in this case is the same as in adult patients.
Sinusitis in most cases develops against the background of colds. The risk of experiencing unpleasant symptoms increases during seasonal colds. In children, adenoids or anatomical defects (curvature of the nasal septum) can provoke the rapid multiplication of pathogenic microflora. Carious teeth of the upper jaw also often provoke the development of sinusitis. Diagnosis and treatment is carried out after clarifying the possible causes of the inflammatory process.
Classification
Diagnosis of sinusitis makes it possible to find out exactly what type of disease had to be faced. The pathological process can develop in a catarrhal or purulent form. In this case, the treatment methods will be different. A purulent form of the disease is considered more complicated. In most cases, the patient experiences symptoms of general intoxication, the body temperature rises. If sinusitis in the catarrhal form does not begin to be treated in a timely manner, pus may appear in the sinuses.
To clarify the pathways of infection, a diagnosis of sinusitis is also performed. In adults, the disease most often develops in a rhinogenic form. Pathological microflora in this case enters the sinuses through the nose. Sinusitis develops against the background of acute respiratory viral infections. In children, more often the bacteria enter the sinuses by the hematogenous route - through the blood from other organs are affected. Diagnosis of odontogenic sinusitis causes some difficulties. The pathological process in this case is caused by carious teeth. However, the examination is not always carried out by the dentist.
Initially, the disease develops in acute form. If the therapy is carried out incorrectly or untimely, sinusitis develops into a chronic form. In this case, a longer and more expensive treatment is already required.
Symptomatology
Diagnosis of sinusitis always begins with a survey of the patient. The doctor clarifies what symptoms are accompanied by a deterioration in well-being, when the first signs of a pathological process appeared. As a rule, sinusitis develops against the background of a common cold. As soon as pathogenic microflora penetrate into the sinuses, an immune response of the body is observed. Body temperature rises to 38-39 degrees Celsius. In rare cases, body temperature may remain normal. An important sign of sinusitis is pain in the nose. Unpleasant sensations intensify with palpation and bending forward.
With sinusitis, as a rule, nasal breathing is impaired. At the same time, vasoconstrictor drops do not make the patient feel better. The patient is forced to breathe through his mouth. Due to blockage of the lacrimal canal, tearing may develop. Mucous discharge is observed from the nose. Initially, they have a serous (fluid character). Then the discharge becomes dense, acquires a greenish tint and an unpleasant odor.
Diagnosis of sinusitis is impossible without hardware research methods. X-ray is the most affordable method that allows you to determine the localization and type of inflammatory process. Today, special equipment is available in every medical institution. Specialists manage to visualize not only the maxillary, but also the frontal sinuses. Most often, the x-ray is carried out in three projections - nasolabial, nasal chin and chin.
How is sinusitis determined? Diagnosis (x-ray) makes it possible to understand how much the mucous membrane is changed. The inflammatory process will be indicated by blurred images. In addition, in the process of diagnosis, polyps and cysts in the sinuses can be detected. The data obtained in combination with the patient's complaints make it possible to make an accurate diagnosis.
An x-ray is taken twice. Initially, the study provides an opportunity to make an accurate diagnosis. Then, with the help of the technique, it is possible to get ahead of whether the inflammatory process is gone, whether the treatment was correctly prescribed. If the study is necessary for a pregnant woman, the doctor will prefer to use a different diagnostic technique.
The indication for the study is a suspicion of acute sinusitis. It is impossible to carry out the procedure for patients in serious condition, as well as with open bleeding. Contraindications also include the period of pregnancy and lactation.
CT scan
The technique is used if the diagnosis of sinusitis using x-rays is impossible. Also, this method of research is indicated for suspected odontogenic sinusitis or rhinitis. In addition, computed tomography can detect a disease in a chronic form during the period of remission. Computed tomography may be indicated for suspected benign or malignant lesions in the sinuses. A full scan of the nose in the frontal and coronary projections. Computed tomography is ideal for examining the condition of the sinuses before a planned surgical procedure.
In acute sinusitis, the study makes it possible to identify the localization of the inflammatory process, as well as the presence of fluid in the maxillary sinuses. In addition, computed tomography can provide information about the anatomical features of the structure of the patient’s skull. Specialists perform computed tomography after stopping acute inflammation.
MRI
In case of suspected allergic nature of the disease or fungal infection, computed tomography is replaced with magnetic resonance imaging. Such a study is also indicated for suspected swelling in the sinus. Using MRI, it is also possible to visualize pathologies of the structure of the skull.
A CT scan or an MRI scan may be given if you suspect sinusitis or a maxillary sinus cyst. Differential diagnosis is carried out using several methods at once. The study can be attended not only by otolaryngologists, but also by dentists and surgeons.
The described studies are contraindicated during pregnancy. Under the influence of radiation, the risk of developing fetal malformations significantly increases.
Other diagnostic methods
How else can sinusitis be detected? The diagnostic methods that are used most often have been described above. However, in some cases, when it is not possible to determine the disease, the doctor may resort to other methods of making a diagnosis. So, sometimes experts conduct an ultrasound examination of the paranasal sinuses. Ultrasound makes it possible to detect fluid in the inflamed cavity. The technique is used if the x-ray does not allow an accurate diagnosis, but there is no CT or MRI in the medical institution.
In private clinics, fibrooptic endoscopy can be performed. This technique is used to diagnose sinusitis in children and adults and makes it possible to clearly visualize the sinuses, any morphological changes inside them. Fungal lesions or cysts in the sinuses are also referred to as indications. Ultrasound does not have absolute contraindications.
Laboratory research
Dif diagnosis of sinusitis can not do without a series of studies in the laboratory. A blood test is mandatory. The development of the inflammatory process will be indicated by an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The presence of a bacterial infection in the body will be indicated by an increased level of protein in the blood. In relapsing acute sinusitis, an immunodeficiency study is prescribed. Additionally, you will have to donate venous blood for an HIV infection test.
With a prolonged course of the disease, a cytological examination of the discharge from the nose is performed. Thus, it is possible to accurately determine which pathogenic microflora caused the disease. Laboratory diagnosis of chronic sinusitis allows you to choose the right drugs for therapy, taking into account the sensitivity of pathogenic bacteria.
Puncture
With sinusitis, the clinic, diagnosis, treatment of the disease - all this is interconnected. If the type of inflammatory process is initially incorrectly determined, therapy will also not give the desired results. If within a week the symptoms of the pathological process do not go away, the specialist may resort to minor surgical intervention. Puncture is a procedure that allows you to rinse the affected sinuses, treat them with an antibacterial drug. However, you should not trust a specialist who prescribes a puncture immediately after diagnosis. Indications for such manipulation can occur if conservative treatment does not give positive results. With catarrhal sinusitis, a puncture is also contraindicated.
Puncture can be prescribed for both adults and children. Manipulation is not difficult and can be performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. A puncture is performed through the lower nasal passage. The procedure is unpleasant, but painless. A special syringe is used to rinse the affected sinus.
With proper puncture, you should not expect unpleasant consequences. The mistake of the doctor can lead to the fact that the medicine will be introduced into the cheek. The result will be soft tissue inflammation. Also, if the procedure is not carried out correctly, complications such as vascular embolism, orbital phlegmon, otitis media, cheek abscess, etc. can develop.
Treatment
If the diagnosis of sinusitis was confirmed, differential diagnosis did not reveal other pathologies, therapy should be started immediately. The poor health of the patient, elevated body temperature - an occasion for hospitalization. The patient must comply with bed rest, abandon excessive physical exertion, eat right. Warm meat and vegetable broths, fresh compotes and juices are the best choice. The body should not be loaded with heavy products in the acute period of the disease.
To normalize the general condition of the patient, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. Adults and children are often prescribed Nurofen, Panadol, and Paracetamol. Restore normal sinus ventilation and relieve swelling of the mucosa using vasoconstrictors. Can be used drugs "Rinazolin", "Naphthyzin".
Treatment of sinusitis rarely does without antibiotics. As a rule, drugs with a wide spectrum of action are used - Azithromycin, Augmentin, Sumamed, Ceftriaxone, etc. The course of treatment is 7-10 days.
After stopping the acute inflammatory process, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed. Good results are shown by inhalation, electrophoresis, UHF. Special attention deserves a procedure called "cuckoo." In the manipulation cabinet, under conditions of complete sterility, rinse liquid is injected into the maxillary sinuses using a special syringe. At the same time, the patient says “cuckoo” to prevent the solution from getting into the throat. For the procedure, use such solutions as Dekasan, Furacilin. Commonly used normal saline.
With a mild sinusitis, treatment can be carried out at home. Good results show folk remedies. However, their use is worth discussing with your doctor. Rinsing the nose can be performed using decoctions of chamomile or sage. With a catarrhal form of the disease, it will be possible to stop inflammation with the help of inhalations.
Treatment Prediction and Prevention
With a timely diagnosis and proper treatment, unpleasant symptoms can be quickly eliminated. But refusal of treatment often leads to unpleasant consequences right up to death. Meningitis is one of the dangerous complications of sinusitis. If symptoms such as severe headache, dizziness, photophobia, or photophobia appear against the common cold, you must call an ambulance immediately.
Other complications of sinusitis include: acute otitis media, sepsis, osteomyelitis. Often, pathogenic microflora spreads throughout the body, chronic ailments develop in other systems.
Prevention of sinusitis consists in the timely treatment of colds, maintaining an active lifestyle and seeking medical help for any unpleasant symptoms.