Many are careless about he alth, believing that sinusitis will pass by itself and it is not necessary to treat it. This is a very dangerous misconception that can lead to serious problems. Running sinusitis, the complications and consequences of which can be more serious than the disease itself, is very common. So why bring it up?
Some general information
The generalized name of the inflammatory processes in the sinuses of the nose is sinusitis. Under this definition fall: sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, ethmoiditis, sphenoiditis. Sometimes the process affects the mucous membranes of all sinuses at the same time, then the disease is classified as pansinusitis. If the sinuses are affected only on one side of the face, then this is hemisinusitis.
More about sinusitis
If the inflammatory process is concentrated in the maxillary paranasal sinus, which is also called the maxillary sinus, then the disease is called sinusitis. Most often, a person is faced with this purulent process after suffering acute respiratory infections, influenza, runny nose, scarlet fever and measles. The disease may be bacterialor viral in nature.
Sinusitis can be infectious, vasomotor or allergic. The not entirely clear word "vasomotor" means that the disease affects the contraction of the muscular membranes of the blood vessels, causing their lumen to narrow.
The transition of the disease into a chronic form
If the patient has not cured sinusitis, the consequences can result in the transition of the disease into a chronic form. This means that a potential source of infection will always be present in the body. In addition, the body's allergic sensitivity may increase.
The person will have recurring headaches and a slight runny nose, most often one-sided. In addition, the patient feels a general malaise and decreased performance. From the sinuses periodically begin discharge of pus with an unpleasant odor. Chronic sinusitis, the consequences of which are less pronounced, but for a long time, is more difficult and longer to treat. As one of the consequences of chronic sinusitis, doctors consider a decrease in immunity. It is easier for a person to catch viral and infectious diseases, and it is more difficult to get rid of them.
Complication affecting vision
If the patient's sinusitis has dragged on due to a lack of desire to go to the doctor or improperly selected treatment, stagnant purulent masses begin to penetrate through the bone septa and blood flow to neighboring areas. The closest, in terms of location to the maxillary sinus, is the eye. Like the consequencessinusitis, in this case, there are foci of inflammation in the orbit.
Adult patients are more likely to suffer from such complications if the process has become chronic. In children, damage to the eye socket often gives an acute form of sinusitis. For both children and adults, an abscess in the eye area can have negative consequences, up to complete loss of vision. Inflammatory processes of the eye orbit are the most common consequences after sinusitis.
Meningitis
Incompletely treated sinusitis is a time bomb in the immediate vicinity of the brain. The spread of infection can go in any direction, including meninges under the threat of inflammation. This disease is called meningitis. If you ask a doctor what are the most terrible consequences of sinusitis, he will no doubt name meningitis among the first.
The most obvious symptoms of meningitis are:
- severe headaches;
- a sharp rise in temperature;
- Patient's rejection of light and sounds (not even very intense).
Treatment of this disease is carried out in stationary conditions, most often in the infectious diseases departments of the hospital. The course of treatment is at least ten days, the patient must be prescribed antibiotics and lumbar punctures are performed. If the patient is not provided with medical care, then a fatal outcome is likely.
Osteoperiostitis
Sinusitis, the consequences of which are considered here, sometimes passes from inflammationmucous membranes on the bone. In this case, osteoperiostitis begins, that is, inflammation of the bone walls of the orbits and periosteum. The nature of the process can be purulent or simple, but in any case, the disease requires urgent hospitalization. The course of treatment includes local therapy, antiseptics and antibiotics. If necessary, an operation is performed. If the treatment is started on time, the consequences for the patient are insignificant, but if the process is started, it can give rise to meningitis and other problems.
Otitis media
When a patient has sinusitis, the consequences are often manifested by inflammation in the middle ear (otitis media). Headaches, weakness and nasal congestion are accompanied by ear pain and hearing loss. An even more severe complication is inflammation of the auditory tube (eustachitis).
Problems in this area are due to the fact that the maxillary sinuses and the ear are close, and there are almost no obstacles to the infection. Inflammation gradually passes to the mucous membrane lining the inside of the auditory tube and middle ear. As a result, the patient may experience both temporary hearing problems and hearing loss altogether. In addition, even otitis media treated without complications leads to tinnitus and frequent painful congestion during air travel.
Tonsillitis and adenoids
It is believed that during sinusitis, the tonsils and nasopharynx suffer the most. Nasal breathing is difficult, the patient has to breathe through the mouth, which leads todrying of the mucosa. Further, inflammation begins, during which purulent foci can form. The mucous membrane grows uncontrollably, forming polyps. As a result, the patient cannot breathe through the nose even after getting rid of sinusitis.
Bacteria quickly develop on the palatine tonsils, and they become an independent source of infection. With a pathological increase, the nasopharyngeal tonsils are called adenoids. During treatment, the ENT doctor may recommend the removal of polyps and adenoids, this facilitates nasal breathing, but eliminates barrier lymph nodes, accelerating further penetration of the infection into the body.
Gastrointestinal tract
As a consequence of sinusitis in adults and children, chronic inflammatory processes of the esophagus, stomach and intestines are often noted. This is due to the ingress of purulent masses, which freely flow down the wall of the larynx, into the gastrointestinal tract.
The patient has pain in the abdomen, the temperature rises, appetite decreases and stool disorders begin. All these symptoms should be reported to the doctor.
Respiratory Complications
The disease spreads through the bloodstream and can cause bronchial and lung complications. With the appearance of shortness of breath, weakness, signs of intoxication and cough, it is necessary to seek the advice of a doctor in order to exclude bronchitis and pneumonia. If this is not done, then the disease will be delayed and may cause hospitalization.
What other organscould get hurt?
A long infectious process in the body leads to the fact that with the blood flow the infection gains access to any point. Not only organs that are in close proximity to the focus can suffer, but also the heart, kidneys, lymph node system and joints. First of all, connective tissues suffer - heart valves, synovial bags of joints, ligaments. The patient may develop kidney failure.
Sinusitis during pregnancy
During pregnancy, a woman's immunity is somewhat weakened. Therefore, precautions must be taken to avoid viral and infectious diseases. If sinusitis is diagnosed during pregnancy, the consequences can affect not only the woman, but also her child. In addition to the complications described above, as a result of difficult nasal breathing, the fetus feels a lack of oxygen.
Diagnosis and treatment of pregnant women with sinusitis is significantly different. Expectant mothers cannot be x-rayed or prescribed antibiotics. Most often, washing, puncture of the maxillary sinuses and drainage of purulent masses are carried out.
Sinusitis: puncture, consequences. Myths and reality
Patients tell each other a lot of horror stories about maxillary sinus piercings. They say that it is very painful, that there is no complete cure, and that sinusitis becomes a chronic process and the punctures will have to be repeated again and again.
However, most often these horror stories are told by those who let sinusitis take its course or tried to curethis is a complex disease with home methods.
The long curved needle used to puncture causes "holy horror" in patients. But do not forget that the puncture is performed under local anesthesia. The sinus is pierced in a place where its thickness is minimal. Washing with an antiseptic leads to tangible relief. After a certain time, the bone tissue at the puncture site is completely restored.
Talking that the puncture will have to be done regularly is groundless. If the patient has completed the full course of treatment and completely got rid of sinusitis, then the likelihood of a recurrence of the disease is minimal. If the disease is not completed and has become chronic, then it is possible that the puncture will have to be done again at the next exacerbation.
Today, with timely access to a doctor, more than 90% of cases of sinusitis do without punctures. But if a puncture of the maxillary sinus is prescribed, then the patient must understand that this is not a whim of the doctor, but a forced necessity. The procedure is really unpleasant, but tolerable and very effective. So why risk your he alth and put your body at risk of complications after sinusitis, if you can cure it?
