Runny nose in most people is associated with something unpleasant. but not fatal. There is even a proverb: "If a cold is treated, then it will pass in seven days. And if not treated, then in a week." This statement reflects people's attitude to the common cold. However, he is not as harmless as it seems. If it does not go away for a long time or significantly complicates breathing, then a person may be suspected of sinusitis.
What it is?
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the cavity of the maxillary, or as it is also called, maxillary sinus. Since the
maxillary sinuses are a paired formation, the inflammatory process in them can be either unilateral, or bilateral. Bilateral sinusitis is several times more difficult than unilateral and is associated with a large number of various complications. So, for example, a running bilateral process can be chronized in a rather short time, and pass from the cavity of the maxillary sinus to neighboring formations, in particular, to the brain.
When the infection passes to the brain tissue, its cysts with purulent contents can develop, as well as all kinds of brain abscesses. Subsequently, it is possible to develop very serious diseases, such as encephalitis, meningitis or meningoencephalitis. These diseases are very difficult and can threaten not only further health, but also life.
What can sinusitis be?
First of all, if a doctor diagnosed a person with sinusitis, then in no case should you think that this is something frivolous and will go away by itself. This applies to both unilateral and bilateral sinusitis. Let us consider in more detail the second of them as more dangerous. Bilateral sinusitis according to the severity of its course can be divided into acute and chronic. The latter proceeds with pronounced remissions. According to the severity of clinical symptoms and the severity of the disease, catarrhal bilateral sinusitis and purulent are distinguished.
Etiology of the disease or causative factors leading to its development
There are a huge number of reasons that can cause bilateral sinusitis. Among them are the following:
- all kinds of injuries that arose in the nose and upper jaw;
- penetration of an infectious agent from an external source, for example, from the nasal cavity, into the maxillary sinus;
- thickening of mucus in the nasal cavity and its subsequent stagnation;
- the formation of adenoid and polypous growths;
- the presence of allergic diseases in a person or his predisposition to allergies;
- general weakening of all the protective forces of the human body, that is, its immunity;
- complications arising after the infectious and severe chronic diseases;
- inflammatory diseases of the teeth and gums, especially untreated;
- alcohol abuse and smoking;
- congenital or acquired curvature of the nasal septum.
Catarrhal acute bilateral sinusitis
It is characterized by a very stormy sudden onset. In the early days, the patient feels a deterioration in the general condition, manifested by symptoms such as lethargy, general weakness, loss of strength, decreased performance. At the same time, body temperature rises, and then a rather strong chill appears. Severe headaches, difficulty in nasal breathing, as well as serous discharge from the nasal cavity occur.
Purulent acute bilateral sinusitis
This disease is characterized by a sharp rise in temperature to quite high numbers, a strong deterioration in the general condition, the development of prolonged and painful coughing attacks, as well as secretions from the nasal passage, which have a muddy purulent character. In addition, severe headaches occur that can radiate to the area of the teeth.
Chronic bilateral sinusitis has a more erased clinical picture, while the general condition of a sick person can remain satisfactory. Naturally, people have a question about how to treat bilateral sinusitis.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of bilateral sinusitis should begin with an examination and consultation with an otorhinolaryngologist, who, based on patient complaints and the severity of the clinical picture, can make a preliminary diagnosis, and then confirm it using a number of instrumental research methods. When a diagnosis of bilateral sinusitis is made, treatment is started immediately. The list of diagnostic manipulation data includes such modern methods as magnetic resonance imaging, diagnostics using ultrasonic waves, computed tomography, as well as specific methods such as diaphanoscopy and thermography.
Double-sided sinusitis: treatment
The entire process of treating bilateral sinusitis is under regular medical supervision and takes an average of two to four weeks. Despite this. that the treatment of the disease is a rather unpleasant and long process, in no case should one be delayed with a trip to the ENT. In the complex of medical manipulations that a doctor can prescribe, the following can be distinguished:
- The implementation of regular washing of the nasal cavity with various solutions (this can be either specially designed solutions for this, or decoctions of herbs that have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects, such as chamomile or calendula). The procedure itself is unpleasant, but it facilitates breathing and disinfects cavities.
- Taking a full course of antibacterial therapy (an antibiotic can be prescribed either empirically or after determining the degree of sensitivity of the pathogenic microorganism). This is especially important if the disease is provoked by streptococci.
- Vitamin therapy (necessary to maintain the body's defenses are normal).
- If the temperature rises above 38.5 degrees, it is recommended to start takingantipyretic drugs (the simplest of them is paracetamol). However, the temperature up to 38 degrees does not go astray. At this time, the body's defenses are fighting bacteria.
- In severe and neglected cases, when a separate conservative therapy is ineffective, it is necessary to resort to the puncture of the maxillary sinus with the evacuation of its contents and washing the cavity with antiseptic solutions. After this procedure, sinusitis, as a rule, does not return.
- To facilitate the process of nasal breathing, vasoconstrictive drops can be used, but do not use them for more than five days.
It should be understood that systemic and only systemic will cure bilateral sinusitis. A photo of the maxillary sinuses filled with pus can motivate any person to immediately begin treatment.