Sinusitis refers to inflammation in the sinuses. But this is a common name for several diseases. Therefore, it is often required to understand: sinusitis - what is it? Find out how serious this disease is and what treatments are available.
Depending on the localization of the inflammatory process, the following diseases are distinguished:
- Sinusitis (when the maxillary sinus becomes inflamed).
- Sphenoiditis (when the sphenoid sinus is inflamed).
- Ethmoiditis (inflammatory process of the ethmoid labyrinth).
- Frontitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the frontal sinuses).
Nasal sinuses (sinuses) often become inflamed due to the fact that they are quite voluminous, and the outlets to the nasal cavity are small (1-3 mm). When edema occurs, the fistula narrows or closes altogether. Mucus accumulates in the sinus, resulting in inflammation. There is pain associated with the fact that the discharge presses on the walls of the sinuses. Sometimes a vacuum forms in the sinus cavity, which also causes pain. In this case, the doctor diagnoses sinusitis. What is it, and what are the symptoms, consider below.
Characteristicsinus symptoms
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sinusitis is Nasal discharge, often purulent.
- Persistent headache, especially in the morning.
- Ear pain radiating to neck and head. The appearance of these symptoms is characteristic of sphenoiditis, which is quite rare.
- Pain in the upper jaw, cheek, toothache often accompany sinusitis.
- If the frontal sinuses are inflamed, the patient feels severe headaches with a location in the forehead, aggravated by tilting the head.
- Etmoiditis is accompanied by swelling around the eyes, and often there is pain in this area, nasal congestion is felt, sometimes with loss of smell.
In order to find out what sinusitis is, just look at the rest of the symptoms. These are nasal congestion, weakness, fever, sore throat, cough. Sinusitis is an inflammatory process, which is characterized by signs that accompany SARS.
Causes of sinusitis
Consider the most common causes that will help answer the question of sinusitis - what it is. The cause of this disease are viruses or, in simple terms, a cold. Pathogens, penetrating into the sinuses, attack the mucous membrane, as a result, the body responds with an increase in lymphocytes and the production of mucus. As a result, breathing becomes difficult. Edema appears and mucus is difficult to remove. This causes even more growth in the number of bacteria. Self-treatment incorrectly, as a rule, aggravates the situation.
Maybecomplication develop. In particular, it may be polysinusitis, the treatment of which must be strictly prescribed by a doctor. Much less often, a person becomes ill when Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria begin to behave aggressively in the body. If the immune system is weakened, sinusitis can be caused by a fungal infection. It has been observed that in areas with a damp cold climate and polluted air, the disease occurs much more often.
Therapy
It comes down to a set of measures to eliminate the symptoms and causes, it is prescribed only by an otolaryngologist. Depending on the severity, might be recommended:
- Vasoconstrictors for topical treatment.
- Antivirals.
- Physiotherapy.
- Local antibacterial medicines.
- Antiallergic drugs.
