Fungal sinusitis is a dangerous disease that is difficult to treat, like any similar ailment. The main danger is that it can turn into a chronic form, in this case, remain in the patient's body for the rest of his life. Its main causative agent is pathogenic fungi that can cause a lot of problems to the patient. In this article, we will talk about the causes of this disease, its symptoms and treatment.
About the disease
Fungal sinusitis is accompanied by inflammatory processes that develop in the maxillary sinuses. The acute stage of the disease develops very rapidly. In the absence of the necessary and effective therapy, the disease becomes chronic.
Mostly the disease develops in two forms. It can be mycetoma or true fungal sinusitis. In this case, without exception, all the symptoms of the diseaseprovoked by increased activity of pathogenic flora. The epicenter of the development of the disease is in the maxillary sinuses. The fungus grows rapidly, spontaneously affects the nasal mucosa, changing its usual composition, and randomly multiplies.
The second form is an allergy to a fungus. In this case, this is not a disease, but a response of the human immune system to the detection of a pathogenic fungus in the surrounding atmosphere. This type also requires timely therapy, but most doctors still focus their main attention on the development of mycetoma.
Stages of the disease
There are two stages of fungal sinusitis, on which the clinical outcome, the healing process, and the time of treatment directly depend.
Stage can be non-invasive. In such a situation, the disease can be successfully treated, the disease proceeds without complications. In most cases, the functions of the immune system are not impaired, sinusitis is amenable to effective drug therapy.
In the invasive stage, which is much less common, the risk of irreversible consequences for the immune system is high, and it is also dangerous with all sorts of complications.
You need to be aware that this is a serious diagnosis. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, you should immediately seek appropriate help from a specialist, undergo all the necessary diagnostics to determine whether there is a fungal infection in the body, what is its origin.
Reasons
This type of sinusitis can appear at any age. Basicthe cause of its occurrence is the ingress of harmful fungi of various kinds into the maxillary sinuses. It can be Aspergillus, Candida, Mycorrhiza.
The main danger lies in the fact that at first a dangerous and pathogenic infection does not manifest itself in any way. When the patient has no provoking factors, it may even remain in the nasal mucosa, remaining for a long time in the so-called sleeping stage.
Prerequisites for disease
There are several provoking factors that can contribute to the active development of this disease. As a rule, an attack begins when one or more of the following conditions occur:
- penetration into the nasal passages of foreign bodies that lead to infection of the mucous membrane;
- seasonal weakening of immunity due to colds, beriberi, viral disease;
- a long course of antibiotics, which can significantly reduce the body's immune response;
- injuries to the nasal septum or the nose itself;
- chronic diseases of the endocrine system or hormonal disorders;
- hypothermia of the body for a long time;
- regular clinical episodes of rhinitis of all kinds, including allergic.
These pathogenic factors are the impetus for the appearance of the first relapse, in most cases it comes as a complete surprise to the patient. It is important to start effective therapy quickly. Knowing what are the symptoms of fungal sinusitis, the treatment youyou can start on time. Let's consider them in detail.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this disease can occur with varying intensity. It all depends on the condition of the patient himself. It must be understood that this type of sinusitis does not require urgent hospitalization. But it is important to monitor your condition, pay attention to any significant changes in how you feel.
The main symptom of fungal sinusitis is the discharge of characteristic brown mucus from the sinuses. In addition, characteristic painful sensations appear in the maxillary sinuses themselves. It is important to remember that mucus of a different color will indicate a different type of sinusitis. The white mucus is Candida and the yellow mucus is mold. The remaining symptoms directly depend on the neglect of the disease and the form of the disease itself.
Signs of the disease depending on its form
If a patient has a mycetoma, then it is characterized by the following symptoms:
- violation of nasal breathing;
- swelling of the nasal mucosa;
- systematic migraine attacks;
- painful condition of the upper jaw, which is accompanied by numbness of the teeth;
- discharge from the nose is accompanied by an unpleasant odor and bloody impurities.
In an adult, the symptoms of fungal sinusitis of the allergic form are as follows:
- polyps in nasal passages;
- rare but severe headaches;
- mucous discharge from the nose;
- no sense of smell;
- Sensation of fullness in the sinus.
All the complaints that bother you, you need to tell the doctor in detail so that he has the opportunity to make a complete picture of the disease. In this case, after a comprehensive examination, it will be possible to determine exactly how to treat fungal sinusitis in adults. Symptoms will tell you which form of the disease the patient is suffering from. The diagnosis must be made on time so that the disease does not flow into a chronic form, reminding oneself of oneself until the end of one's life with painful and unpleasant attacks.
Diagnosis
Full-fledged clinical studies that a doctor should conduct will help in an accurate diagnosis. If you suspect that you have this disease, then immediately consult an otolaryngologist. The doctor will collect data for a comprehensive history. The following clinical examination methods are required for a definitive diagnosis: CT scan, sinus X-ray, laboratory mycological examination, sinus ultrasound.
When the disease is accurately established, the doctor can decide on the treatment of fungal sinusitis in an adult. Predominantly used conservative therapy. Its ultimate goal is the destruction of pathogenic flora. You should also clean the maxillary sinuses from the remnants of mucus and strengthen the weakened immunity of the patient.
For this, various drugs of various pharmacological groups are prescribed. It is important to categorically exclude self-treatment.
Therapy
Treatment of fungal sinusitis has some features that you need to know about. At the initial stage, topical antifungal drugs are prescribed. These are drops, ointments, sprays, gels. Thus, it is possible to productively and quickly exterminate the pathogenic flora. Among the most common medicines of this type, Ketoconazole, Amphotericin, Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Nystatin, Terbinafine should be noted.
Immunostimulants are used to activate the body's immune response and should be taken orally. With their help, it is possible to significantly strengthen the organic resource. These are medicines "Anaferon", "Imunoriks", "Imudon", "Immunal", "Echinacea", "Arbidol".
To reduce the intensity of the symptoms themselves and eliminate the increased swelling of the nasal mucosa, topical glucocorticosteroids will be required. "Nasonex", "Avamys", "Flixonase" demonstrate high efficiency.
Antihistamine drugs play an important role in facilitating the general well-being of the patient, help relieve nasal congestion. With this disease, Supradin, Loratadin, Zirtek, L-Cet, Suprastin, Cetrin, Desloratadine have proven themselves well.
General tonic herbal preparations will not interfere either. This isthere may be a tincture of aralia, wild rose, leuzea or ginseng. Vitamins must be present in the complex therapy scheme. For example, multivitamin complexes Complivit, Duovit, Pikovit, Alfavit.
These are the most effective ways to treat fungal sinusitis.
Antibiotics are contraindicated
It is worth remembering that with this disease, taking antibiotics externally and internally is not only not recommended, but is strictly prohibited. Because of these drugs, the clinical picture can only worsen significantly.
Finally, summing up, it should be noted that the patient must initially understand how serious and dangerous the disease is. His treatment is always long, but often unsuccessful. For example, it is not possible to prevent the transition of sinusitis into a chronic form. Therefore, therapy should be started as early as possible. At the same time, be patient, follow all medical recommendations. Exclude self-treatment and believe in a future recovery. Only in this case will you succeed.
