Acute and chronic sinusitis: a comparison of diseases, causes, symptoms and treatment methods

In the article, we consider acute and chronic sinusitis.

This is a disease of the paranasal sinuses, characterized by an inflammatory or allergic nature.

According to the ICD-10 system, sinusitis in acute form is code J01, in chronic - J32.

Most often, such inflammation appears in the maxillary sinuses (then they speak of sinusitis), there is also a pathological process of ethmoid labyrinth cells (with ethmoiditis), and the frontal and wedge-shaped lobes with sphenoiditis and frontitis can be affected. However, more often the disease spreads to several sinuses at once, and then a person develops polysynitis. When all the paranasal areas are involved, then pansuit develops. Let's talk further about acute and chronic sinusitis and compare these diseases.

Acute form: causes

So, we will understand in more detail what sinusitis is. Symptoms and treatment will be described below.

The causes of the acute form are often respiratory acute diseases along with viral infections (for example, flu), hypothermia, the common cold, general bacterial infections and injuries. The course of the disease can aggravate the curvature of the nasal septum in combination with hypertrophy of the lower or middle shells, impaired immunity, an allergic process, an increase in nasopharyngeal tonsils (adenoid vegetation in children).

Not everyone knows what this disease is - sinusitis.

Symptoms of acute form

Equated to such:

• The presence of a runny nose for more than seven to ten days, without signs of improvement.
• Presence of nasal congestion, purulent or mucous discharge.
• Runoff of pathogenic mucus along the back of the throat, along with copious discharge of purulent sputum mainly in the morning.
• The occurrence of headache, severity and discomfort in the area of ​​inflamed sinuses. Sometimes unpleasant sensations pass to the area of ​​teeth, eyes, cheekbones, cheeks.
• The presence of increased sensitivity of the facial skin in the projection of the affected sinuses.
• Increase in temperature to thirty-eight degrees and above. As a rule, such a symptom is observed in the acute case. In chronic processes, the temperature rises very rarely or can stay at a subfebrile mark, that is, at thirty-seven degrees.
• The appearance of weakness, fatigue, irritability. The occurrence of photophobia, tearing, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance.
• Weakening of smell or its complete absence.
• The appearance of swelling of the cheeks and eyelids.

To compare acute and chronic sinusitis, you need to understand the causes of these pathologies.

Causes of the chronic form of the disease

The main factors in the development of this form of pathology, in contrast to the acute type, include:

• The presence of a curved septum of the nose.
• The development of chronic rhinitis.
• The appearance of anomalies of the anastomosis between the nasal cavity and sinus.
• The occurrence of allergic reactions.
• Lowering a person’s immunity.
• The presence of a focus of chronic infection (the presence of chronic tonsillitis, tooth pathology).
• The effect on the body of a polluted environment.
• The presence of fungal infections.
  

A factor that provokes an exacerbation of sinusitis can be a viral infection along with hypothermia. In odontogenic processes, dental manipulations may be the trigger lever. With rhinogenic abnormalities, swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and sinuses occurs along with a violation of natural cleansing and stagnation of pathogenic secretions (i.e. mucus). Such stagnation in combination with a violation of ventilation is the trigger for the activation of inflammatory processes.

Symptoms of chronic sinusitis

The manifestation of chronic sinusitis depends on the form of the disease. Without exacerbation, the symptoms can be very scarce or absent altogether. Actually, this is the main difference between this type of sinusitis and its acute form. Most often, a person is worried:

• Presence of nasal congestion along with difficulty in nasal breathing.
• The appearance of scanty mucous or purulent discharge from the nose. This can occur in the form of drying crusts, while there is constant leakage from the nose, which provokes cracks and abrasions of this organ.
• The occurrence of runoff of mucus and along the back of the pharynx.
• The presence of dryness in the throat.
• The appearance of a headache.
• Presence of bad breath from the mouth.

With an exacerbation of the disease, symptoms may appear that are characteristic of an acute form of sinusitis.

Diagnostics

As part of the diagnosis, the following examinations of patients are carried out:

• Performing an otorhinolaryngological examination.
• Radiography (or computed tomography) of the paranasal sinuses.
• Ultrasound examination of the sinuses. It is worth noting that this technique is safe, has no contraindications, is used to diagnose sinusitis and as part of the control of the therapy process.
• Conducting laboratory diagnostics (we are talking about a general blood test, sowing the discharge from the sinuses or flushing on the flora, and so on).
• Endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx to establish the features of the anatomical structure.

We continue to find out what sinusitis is. Symptoms and its treatment are interconnected.

Therapy

It is worth emphasizing that in the acute form of sinusitis, therapy is carried out in several directions. First of all, it is necessary to remove pus from the sinuses. In the vast majority of situations, conservative treatment of acute sinusitis is carried out without puncture.

Removal can be carried out using the JAMIC technique. This procedure is performed using a device called the JAMIC catheter. The bottom line is that by means of a catheter in the nasal cavity create controlled pressure and pump out pus through a natural anastomosis (hole), and then a drug substance is introduced (this can be antibiotics or mucolytics).

About pills for sinusitis will be discussed later.

In addition, flushing of the organ and paranasal sinuses is performed by the method of movement. It is carried out using a special suction, namely through an aspirator, during the procedure, the pathological contents are removed and medications are introduced into the sinuses.

But despite the existence of effective non-puncture therapy for sinusitis, in some cases, puncture of the maxillary sinuses is still required. This procedure is carried out strictly according to indications and with the implementation of mandatory pain relief. After anesthesia, a less traumatic needle is inserted into the sinus through the nose. All purulent contents are removed through a needle and the drug is administered. As a rule, the puncture is completely painless, and at the same time safe. In the future, punctures with sinusitis do not affect the condition of the nose and sinuses, and the small hole left by the needle heals without a trace.

Additionally, for the treatment of acute and chronic sinusitis, edema in the nasal cavity can be eliminated, ensuring a normal outflow of contents from the sinuses. In acute course, vasoconstrictor drugs are prescribed, intended for independent use, they also conduct anemia of the nasal middle course in the conditions of the otolaryngological office. Mucolytic agents (which thin the mucus) are prescribed along with antiseptic and antibacterial drugs in the form of sprays and nasal drops. Very good effects are achieved when using saline solution for washing the nasal cavity. Homeopathic medicines are also widely used.

No less important is the appointment of antibacterial treatment. Antibacterial general therapy for sinusitis is often prescribed for purulent inflammations against the background of fever and intoxication. It is very important to make the right selection of antibiotics, observing the dosage and duration of the drug. In any case, antibiotic therapy should be prescribed only by a specialist. In the framework of the use of combined treatment, absolute recovery in case of acute sinusitis is achieved within seven to ten days.

Complications

In the absence of adequate treatment, a person may develop the following general and local threatening complications:

• The appearance of an abscess or phlegmon orbit.
• The development of intracranial abscess.
• The appearance of meningitis.
• The occurrence of sepsis.

With the development of such complications, urgent surgical intervention is necessary.

Comparison of acute and chronic sinusitis we conducted. Now consider the general recommendations.

General recommendations for sinusitis

Sinusitis is an extremely common disease, and this disease can be cured. Therapy is possible on an outpatient basis, as well as at home, subject to the strict implementation of all doctor's prescriptions. Treatment with alternative methods can be applied only for general strengthening purposes. Traditional medicine will never replace the main therapeutic complex.

Any warming procedure for sinusitis is contraindicated, as it can lead to a worsening of the condition, and at the same time to the spread of inflammation with the subsequent development of complications.

Do not be afraid of an otorhinolaryngologist who will immediately perform a puncture. You must know that the puncture of the maxillary sinuses is always carried out strictly according to indications, only after completing an additional examination and only when you can’t do without it at all. And in other cases, alternative, not scary methods are used.

Sinusitis tablets

In the presence of a moderate course of the disease, the drugs of choice are Amoxicillin and Ampicillin. The last remedy is prescribed, as a rule, if for some reason the first is not suitable. Cephalosporins in the form of “Cefuroxime axetil” and “Cefaclor” are alternative drugs. Also, macrolides in the form of “Azithromycin”, “Clarithromycin” or tetracyclines (for example, “Doxycycline”), fluoroquinolones in the form of “Grepafloxacin” and so on can be prescribed to a patient with sinusitis.

What antibiotics to take with sinusitis, it is important to find out in advance.

In severe cases, such medications are advisable:

• The use of inhibitor-protected penicillins in the form of "Amoxicillin", "Ampicillin" parenterally.
• Cephalosporins belonging to the second and third generation, for example, “Cefuroxime” along with “Ceftriaxone”, “Cefotaxime” or “Cefoperazone” parenterally.
• In case of allergy to lactams, doctors prescribe Ciprofloxacin or Chloramphenicol parenterally.
  

Amoxicillin

Consider the instructions for use with the suspension "Amoxicillin".

This is a children's form of the drug. It can be prepared by diluting the granular drug with water. This dosage form of "Amoxicillin" from sinusitis has many advantages in comparison with a tablet:

• The drug in the form of a suspension is intended for the treatment of young children. Therefore, it has a pleasant sweetish taste and raspberry smell.
• A spoon contains 250 milligrams of the drug, which makes it possible to determine the exact dosage of the drug, focusing on the weight of the baby (and not just on his age).
• The suspension contains simethicone, which prevents the development of colic and swelling in very young children.

As indicated by the instructions for use with the Amoxicillin suspension, in order to prepare this medicine, you need to add boiled water to the required level. Further, the agent is well shaken until a homogeneous mass is obtained. After this, the suspension is ready for use. "Amoxicillin" for children in the form of a finished suspension can be stored for no more than two weeks, after which this medicine becomes more unsuitable for consumption. Immediately before each reception, the agent must be thoroughly shaken. Next, we learn how this disease manifests itself in children.

Symptoms of acute sinusitis in children

The clinical picture of such a pathology as sinusitis differs little from the symptoms of acute respiratory infection. In children, a decrease in appetite and activity is observed along with an increase in temperature. But in addition, other signs develop:

• The appearance of bilateral or unilateral nasal congestion along with a change in the timbre of the voice in connection with this factor.
• The presence of mucous or purulent discharge from the nose, in which traces of blood may appear.
• The presence of dry cough that does not bring relief (often observed in children at night).
• The appearance of a child’s complaints of a headache (its position directly depends on which sinus is inflamed).
• The pain in the head may intensify when it is tilted forward and down (for example, when tying shoelaces).
• The skin of the face over the inflamed sinus may become reddened.
• The severity of the sense of smell in babies is greatly reduced, or sensitivity to various odors disappears altogether.
• Dry nasopharyngeal mucosa appears.
• The temperature rises above thirty-eight degrees.
• A child's face may appear noticeably swollen.
• The occurrence of irritability, along with frequent awakenings during sleep and increased sensitivity to light.

Learn how to cure chronic sinusitis forever.

How is sinusitis cured forever?

Both forms of this disease are treatable, but for this a person will have to make a lot of efforts, strictly following all the recommendations of specialists. The basic rule is: therapy should be started immediately after a diagnosis. You can not lose time, because the inflammatory processes will continue until they are stopped, and this can only be done with the help of special medicines.

Antibacterial medicines, such as Azithromycin and cephalosporins, which can get rid of the main causes of the disease, that is, bacteria and viruses, have an excellent effect on sinusitis. In some situations, local antibiotics are prescribed in the form of "Bioparox" or "Isofra", their main task is to eliminate the infection, and at the same time to stop the inflammatory processes.

In order to drain the mucus, nasal drops with sprays are used, for example, “Otlin” along with “Naphthyzine”, “Naphthozoline”, “Pinosol” and others. Mucolytic agents are used to remove mucous discharge from the sinus cavity, and include “Guaifenesin”. Homeopathic medicines are also prescribed for sinusitis, they contain components of natural origin, which reduces the risks of adverse reactions. However, drug treatment is not enough for the reasons that it inhibits the development of dangerous microbes, but pus does not completely remove from the sinuses. Together with such therapy for acute and chronic sinusitis, it is important to use alternative methods prescribed by the doctor.