Any discharge from the nasal cavity is usually called a harmless runny nose, which is provoked by a catarrhal infection. How often do we observe a picture in a kindergarten or on a walk, when a baby flows out of a nose and has difficulty breathing due to congestion. Usually illiterate parents do not attach importance to such a phenomenon and believe that everything will disappear on its own over time.
But, unfortunately, the reality is very sad and constant discharge indicates sinusitis. Sinusitis: the treatment is completely different, more complex and lengthy. Therefore, a runny nose that does not go away for more than two weeks should seriously alert parents.
What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses of the nasal cavity, a fairly common disease is acute and chronic. A person has only 4 pairs of sinuses: frontal, maxillary, ethmoid and sphenoid. Inflammation of each of the sinuses is characterized in its own way:
1. Frontitis - an infectious disease of the frontal sinuses, a feeling of heaviness, pain is concentrated in the area of the eyebrows and forehead;
2. Sinusitis - a disease of the maxillary region. For this inflammation is characteristic: nasal congestion, purulent prolonged discharge, pain under the orbits;
3. Sphenoiditis - a disease of the sphenoid sinus, there is pain in the crown of the head, neck, in the ears;
4. Ethmoiditis - a disease of the ethmoid sinus, discomfort localized on the wings of the nose.
Common symptoms for all types of sinuses: purulent or mucous discharge, headache, pain with pressure on the inflamed sinus. Often the child's temperature rises, malaise, weakness, moodiness are observed. However, with severe swelling of the mucous membrane, discharge may be absent. As a rule, respiratory infections and runny nose can cause complications, as a result of which sinusitis appears. Treatment is carried out comprehensively under the supervision of a specialist. Before prescribing certain drugs, the doctor must identify the main cause of sinusitis and prescribe the necessary course of treatment based on the data, because it is worth remembering: sinusitis - treatment at home is unacceptable, it is not a simple cold.
Usually, vasoconstrictor drugs (nazivin, naphthyzin, sanorin, xymelin, etc.) are prescribed for children, which facilitate breathing and treat sinusitis well. Treatment is necessarily supplemented with antiseptic agents (collargol, protargol) to relieve swelling in the nasal cavity. Before instilling the medicine of the child, it is necessary to put on its side, it is better to use aerosol forms, the spray evenly envelops the mucous membrane, which creates the best therapeutic result. If the outflow from the sinuses is not restored, then they resort to washing, this procedure is carried out only in a medical institution.
Given that this disease is caused by pathogenic microorganisms - antibiotics are prescribed, they more effectively treat sinusitis. Antibiotic treatment is carried out only with confirmation of a bacterial infection, and the inflammation is purulent. If the disease is severe, antibiotics of the second, third generation are prescribed.
Especially severe sinusitis: only surgical treatment. A modern method of endoscopic surgery is used - this is not dangerous. For example, a complete anesthesia is not required for a puncture, thanks to this method, purulent contents are removed from the sinus, the sinuses are thoroughly washed and anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs are poured there.
It is contraindicated to independently wash the nose of the child; it is possible to damage the Eustachian tube. The baby can be inhaled on the 7th day of a runny nose if it does not stop. In clinics, steam inhalations are performed, this contributes to the drainage and narrowing of blood vessels. At the initial stage of resorption, respiratory gymnastics and massage are possible.