There are several common diseases with relatively similar symptoms: sinusitis (including sinusitis), pansinusitis, and flu. Although pansinusitis is the least common among the above, it is necessary to clearly understand the causes and symptoms of this ailment in order to distinguish it from other diseases in an emergency.
Sinus, sinusitis and pansinusitis. What it is?
The sinuses are air-filled cavities located above, below and behind the eyes. All of them are connected to the nasal cavity and are also called sinuses. There are sinuses of the ethmoid bone, maxillary, frontal and sphenoid. These sinuses are arranged in pairs.
The maxillary cavity is located under the cheekbones, the frontal - above the eyes in the forehead, the sphenoid - respectively in the sphenoid bones, and the sinuses of the ethmoid bone represent an empty space between the nasal bone and the eyes.
Sinusitis is inflammation and irritation in one or more sinuses. The disease is considered quite common, pansinusitis is much less common. What it is? This inflammation and irritation at the same time in all the sinuses. Pansinusitis is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment.
Causes
Pansinusitis usually develops due to a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection or allergy. All sinuses are simultaneously infected and inflamed due to a strong decrease in immunity. This condition is called "acute pansinusitis," but in some cases the disease may become chronic. Inflammation in the latter case lasts for several months and even years, if you do not take any measures to treat the ailment.
The pathogenic microorganisms that cause the disease penetrate the sinuses through the nose. Pansinusitis is often preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection. In addition, the cause of infection may be:
- bathing in dirty water;
- spread of infection due to pericoronitis;
- sinus irritation due to exposure to dust, air pollution, tobacco smoking, etc.
Chronic pansinusitis often occurs due to the curvature of the nasal septum or the appearance of polyps.
Symptoms
Since the disease is a common sinusitis, spreading to all the sinuses, the symptoms of both ailments are approximately the same. These include:
- increase in body temperature;
- headache;
- dense nasal discharge of yellow and / or green color;
- nasal congestion;
- swelling of the face;
- cough;
- toothache;
- Ear ache;
- a sore throat;
- feeling of tiredness;
- bad breath.
The pain and discomfort caused by pansinusitis are much more intense than with inflammation of the sinus.
The disease is complicated if the infection spreads to the brain due to its anatomical proximity to the sinuses.
Treatment
Acute pansinusitis cannot be underestimated - it is necessary to begin treatment of the disease as soon as possible after the discovery of the first symptoms. To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe a number of studies, including x-ray imaging using computed tomography, MRI or x-ray of the sinuses. The identification and determination of a pathogenic microorganism will help the specialist prescribe the best antibiotic drugs.
Recurrent pansinusitis - what is it? This is a chronic disease caused by a polyp in the nasal region or a curvature of the nasal septum. Treatment in this case involves a surgical operation in which a polyp is removed or the shape of the nasal septum is corrected. The purpose of the operation is to restore the normal outflow of mucus from the sinuses.
When a doctor diagnoses pansinusitis, treatment with prescribed drugs is often supplemented by the following recommendations.
- With inflammation of the sinuses, it is harmful to stay in cold rooms with dry air for a long time.
- Humidity in the house should be maintained at a level of 40-50%, especially in the bedroom.
- In acute pansinusitis, swimming and traveling by plane should be avoided.
Home remedies
Since the disease in question is much more serious than ordinary sinusitis, it must first be treated with antibiotics or antifungal drugs. However, along with the traditional treatment, you can use some home methods to combat the disease
- Steam inhalation is an effective way to relieve nasal sinus congestion. Steam contributes to the outflow of thick mucus from inflamed cavities.
- It is important to monitor the increase in immunity. You should eat as much as possible a variety of fruits, vegetables and other wholesome foods rich in vitamins and essential nutrients.
- Drink plenty of water as it dilutes the mucus. Hot herbal teas are also helpful.
- Washing the nose with saline solution effectively helps treat pansinusitis. What it is? This is a saline solution that can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared at home: it is enough to dilute a quarter of a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water.