Chronic sinusitis is not uncommon in medical practice. It is manifested by inflammation and swelling of the internal sinuses. This leads to difficulty in the removal of mucus, so it accumulates in the cavities. The chronic form differs from the acute disease in less pronounced symptoms and a long period of flow. Lack of treatment sooner or later leads to serious complications.
Features of the disease
Chronic sinusitis occurs for three or more months. In the bones of the facial region and head there are small sinuses (sinuses), which are filled with air. They serve to cushion the brain in case of injury. These cavities are connected by narrow channels to the nasal passages.
The sinuses are called sinus. They produce mucus in certain quantities to remove pathogens to the outside. With its help, it is possible to keep the air cavities clean. For mucosal irritationshells under the influence of bacteria, mucus is produced very actively. However, the resulting swelling and other tissue changes can prevent timely outflow.
In chronic sinusitis, mucus accumulates in the sinuses for a long time, which eventually leads to purulent processes. Symptoms of the disease flare up and disappear after a while, but the final recovery does not occur.
Main reasons for development
Almost everyone knows why chronic sinusitis is dangerous, but not many understand what causes it. There can be many reasons. Below are some of them:
- long stay in cold environment;
- allergic reactions;
- deformational changes in the nasal cavity;
- presence of polyps and other growths;
- prolonged course of viral diseases;
- immunity weakening;
- fungal infections.
Classification options
In modern medical practice, there are several types of diseases. The first option involves the classification of chronic sinusitis directly according to the sinuses in which the inflammatory process occurs.
- Sphenoidal sinusitis is characterized by persistent nasal congestion. It flows in wedge-shaped cavities.
- Frontal sinusitis is the most common. In this case, the frontal sinus is inflamed.
- Etmoidal sinusitis affects the bridge of the nose. Purulentprocesses take place in the ethmoid sinus.
- Maxillary sinusitis is one of the most unpleasant varieties of the disease. It can lead to cancer. In this case, the cavities in the upper jaw suffer.
Chronic sinusitis symptoms
Each disease manifests itself differently. Some of these may overlap, but the symptoms of chronic sinusitis are quite noticeable.
- In case of illness, the sense of smell decreases in any case. Sensitivity to odors deteriorates significantly.
- During periods of exacerbation, purulent discharge from the nasal cavity is noted. They are hard to miss.
- Difficulty breathing through the nose for a long time. With acute respiratory infections and viral infections, a period of discomfort is felt for several days.
- Pain in the sinus area, which can last more than two weeks.
Before you can cure chronic sinusitis forever, you need to understand what kind it belongs to. Each of them has its own symptoms. Sphenoiditis is characterized by rather unpleasant sensations in the head area. It may seem that a hoop invisible to the eye is squeezing it. In a stuffy room, the symptoms become more pronounced.
With frontitis, quite severe headaches usually appear, the localization of which is the projection of inflamed cavities. Etmoiditis is often accompanied by the presence of discomfort near the inner corner of the eye. Pain on palpationsensations may intensify.
How is the diagnosis made?
You can assume the presence of the disease by the symptoms, but the final diagnosis should be made after the necessary studies. In any case, the doctor performs an external examination of the patient, after which clinical and laboratory measures are taken.
The basic method of diagnosing an exacerbation of chronic sinusitis is rhinoscopy, which makes it possible to examine the nasal cavity with a special mirror. This simple method allows you to identify the focus of the disease, the volume of existing purulent masses, as well as signs of hyperemia.
An additional source of information about the state of the nasal cavity can be radiography or computed tomography. In some cases, a puncture is appropriate, as it allows you to draw conclusions about the composition of purulent discharge.
Preventive measures
To avoid the occurrence of the aforementioned disease or recurrence, certain measures must be observed.
- You can not expose your body to hypothermia. Infectious pathogens are quite easily activated in this case.
- When immunity is weakened, it is recommended to use special mineral-vitamin complexes.
- Infectious diseases should be completely cured so as not to get a complication in the form of sinusitis.
- If possible, it is necessary to adhere to a he althy lifestyle, eliminating completely bad habits in order to increase immunity.
Used drugs for chronic sinusitis
The main task is to eliminate the root cause, but with an exacerbation of the disease, complex drug therapy should be carried out. With its help, it is possible to reduce the intensity of symptoms and improve the condition of the body as a whole. The following drugs are commonly prescribed.
- Decongestants are required to reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa.
- Antibiotics for chronic sinusitis can completely suppress the activity of pathogenic microorganisms. This could be amoxicillin, clarithromycin, or a fluoroquinolone.
- Antiseptic drugs are used to wash the nasal passages. They make it possible to rid the cavities of the accumulation of mucus.
- In the presence of mucosal hypertrophy, enzymatic agents are commonly used.
- Immunostimulants are needed to increase the body's immune response directly to infection.
- Antihistamines may be used to treat chronic sinusitis if allergic reactions are associated.
Physiotherapy treatments
As additional measures to combat the disease, physiotherapy is prescribed. An integrated approach to the problem allows you to achieve the maximum effect. In the treatment of chronic sinusitis, the following procedures may be indicated for patients.
- Electrophoresis improves drug delivery to lesions.
- UHF and microwave waves expandcapillaries, thereby enhancing tissue nutrition and improving overall metabolism.
- Laser therapy is used to eliminate pain, reduce swelling, and regenerate the epithelium.
- Ultrasonic exposure is carried out to stimulate metabolic processes in the body.
- Diadynamic therapy involves conducting electrical impulses through sore spots.
Surgery
With low efficiency after taking medications and taking physiotherapeutic measures, one has to resort to surgical methods of treating the disease. Drainage in the nasal cavities is restored through surgery. The patient undergoes an endoscopy. Surgical excision of damaged tissues that prevent the natural outflow of mucus.
Endoscopy allows you to normalize breathing, to ensure high-quality ventilation of tissues. The cavities after it begin to function properly. This option can be attributed to minimally invasive surgical procedures. During surgery, patients do not cause significant damage.
In the presence of polyps and cysts, with curvature of the nasal septum, an operation is prescribed. In this case, surgery helps to quickly and effectively get rid of chronic processes.
Elimination of sinusitis in adults is carried out with the help of sinusotomy. The affected cavity is opened directly through the mouth. With frontal sinuses, frontalpockets for both young and old.
Treatment of chronic sinusitis completely eliminates the symptoms. Surgery is the most effective way to deal with the disease in some cases.
Folk remedies
Together with traditional methods of treating a disease associated with inflammation of the sinuses, folk remedies are also actively used. The most effective and affordable method of treatment is the use of a mixture of honey, sunflower oil and soda. The listed ingredients are mixed in equal proportions. The resulting product should be stored in the refrigerator.
The mixture is applied in a small amount on a cotton swab and placed in the nasal opening. In this case, you must be in a horizontal position. It takes about 20 minutes to keep the product in the nose. During such activities, slight discomfort and burning sensations are possible.
The product has an antiseptic and healing effect. The pathogenic microflora inside the sinuses is completely destroyed. The mucous membrane quickly recovers after damage. It is advisable to place a swab in the nose 3-4 times a day until the symptoms disappear. Treatment of chronic sinusitis in adults in this way can only be carried out in the absence of polyps and other growths. If they are still there, then only surgery will help.
Drops obtained from onion juice can help with illness. The recipe is not difficult. A small bulb is taken. From herthe skin is removed and the juice is squeezed into ceramic or enameled dishes. The liquid must be filtered through gauze. The resulting juice is mixed with water in a ratio of 1:1. It is recommended to store the product in a container with a tight-fitting lid.
The resulting medicine is instilled into the nose with an ordinary pipette. A single dose is 2-3 drops in each nostril. The procedure should be repeated daily 3-4 times a day. Usually breathing becomes easier after 2-3 days. If drops come into contact with mucous membranes, a burning sensation may occur, so be careful.
Another folk remedy for chronic sinusitis is ginger with honey and lemon juice. Of these components, a drink is made that is taken orally to strengthen the immune system as a whole. However, it should not be consumed if you are allergic to citrus fruits or other ingredients. Also, the remedy is contraindicated in diseases of the pancreas, gallbladder and exacerbation of hypertension.
Possible Complications
If left untreated, sinusitis can lead to negative consequences. Complications may be intracranial or orbital in nature. In the first case, the cause is suppuration in the area of the nasal septum. Pathogenic microorganisms through the blood penetrate directly into the skull, which often leads to the development of purulent meningitis or the formation of brain abscesses.
Orbital complications are expressed in the spread of infection to the eyeball. There are pains in the orbit, there is a drop in sharpnessvision, body temperature rises. There are signs of intoxication: chills, general weakness and fatigue. In the presence of a retrobulbar abscess, surgical intervention cannot be dispensed with.
International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10)
In he althcare, a special document is used as a classification and statistical basis. It is reviewed once a decade under the guidance of WHO. It also reflects chronic sinusitis. The ICD-10 code is J32. An additional number is put after the dot, which specifies the type of disease.
The name of sinusitis is characterized by the site of inflammation. Most often, the problem lies in the maxillary sinuses, as they have narrow openings that are at a disadvantage. If necessary, an auxiliary code is added to identify the causative agent of the disease.
Final part
Everyone can avoid chronic sinusitis, but it is necessary to adhere to the above preventive measures, which are to maintain a he althy lifestyle, as well as timely treatment of colds and viral diseases. However, if there are growths or changes in the sinuses, it is quite rare to do without surgery.
