On two sides of our nose are two paired airways - the maxillary sinuses, communicating with the nasal cavity through a small hole. The entire maxillary (maxillary) sinus is lined with a mucous membrane. The presence of inflammatory changes in it is called sinusitis. Signs of sinusitis in adults can occur in the life of every person, they need to know.
This disease occurs most often with infection from the nose with a runny nose or from tooth decayed teeth. Predisposing factors for the development of sinusitis can be called curvature of the nasal septum, allergic rhinitis, and a decrease in the immune response. Thickening of the nasal concha (there are three on each side) and adenoids are factors specific to children that predispose to stagnant processes in the paranasal sinuses.
Signs of sinusitis in adultsAcute sinusitis has the following symptoms:
1. Difficulty in nasal breathing on one or two sides.
2. Pain below the eye, which can give into the ear or mimic a toothache, - this is the sign that allows you to suspect sinusitis. Pain has the following characteristics:
a) amplified by tilting the head forward;
b) the intensity of the pain increases in the evening and disappears during the night if an outflow of the discharge from the sinus was possible;
c) if you press on the area, which is approximately at the level of the wing of the nose, pain is noted;
d) the pain is reduced by blowing.
3. Excessive (but not always) discharge from the nose. It is mainly purulent in nature.
4. Headache (not always).
5. Often, body temperature rises.
6. Weakness, fatigue, fatigue.
The signs of sinusitis in a child are slightly different. In an acute process, they are:
- increase in body temperature;
- conversation "in the nose";
- runny nose of varying severity, which lasts more than three days;
- decreased appetite;
- watery eyes;
- if the child is already big enough, he may complain of pain in the head, in the nose or directly indicate the localization of pain near the nose; the characteristic of pain is the same as in adults.
Signs of sinusitis in adults in the case of a chronic process
Chronic sinusitis often occurs against the background of the same conditions that make it difficult to drain the contents from the sinus if acute sinusitis has not been treated or if not so active flora has entered the sinus.
Its symptoms are difficulty breathing in one nostril, decreased sense of smell, periodic headaches in this half of the head, and the discharge of viscous mucus of various colors from the nose. An increase in temperature, a decrease in appetite, and drowsiness are not characteristic.
Diagnosis of sinusitis
If you find yourself showing signs of sinusitis (in adults), contact an ENT doctor. He will examine the nasal cavity, and if he suspects this disease, he will refer you to an X-ray examination.
Children are also diagnosed with an X-ray, but an endoscopic examination of the nose can be performed. Another method of accurate diagnosis is computed tomography.
Sinusitis treatment
When sinusitis (symptoms) is determined , and treatment should be prescribed immediately, without delay. In the purulent process, antibiotics are indicated: in adults, this is usually “Linkomycin” in injections or “Amoxiclav” in tablets. Children are more often helped by taking macrolide drugs (Macropen, Sumamed).
But the most important thing in the treatment of sinusitis is to ensure the outflow of sinus contents. In order to prevent sinus puncture, instillation of vasoconstrictor drugs in the nose (Naphthyzinum and the like), rinsing the nose with physiological sodium chloride solution or sea solutions (Aqua-Maris, Salin) are used.