Allergic sinusitis is a pathological inflammatory process of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses, which appears due to the negative effects of allergens on the body. In most cases, this ailment accompanies allergic rhinitis, covers the ethmoid labyrinth and the maxillary sinuses. Allergic sinusitis is not a fatal, but rather unpleasant disease that causes a lot of discomfort. If you do not seek professional help in a timely manner, a number of complications are possible.
Symptoms
Allergic sinusitis has symptoms very similar to those of SARS. This somewhat complicates an accurate diagnosis. Misinterpretation of symptoms leads to inappropriate and ineffective treatment being prescribed. The symptoms of allergic sinusitis are as follows:
- stuffy nose and ears;
- recurrent headaches;
- decreased hearing acuity;
- severe bouts of sneezing;
- feeling of heaviness in the head;
- discharge from the nostrils of a transparent secretion (mucus);
This disease is paroxysmal. This means that the exacerbation of the disease can be lightning fast and begin at any time. Most often, the disease is diagnosed in late spring, summer and at the very beginning of autumn, when plants are actively blooming, and there is a large amount of pollen in the air. Windy weather can exacerbate symptoms due to the spread of allergens.
Headaches worsen if you tilt your head (this is especially evident at night). The pain is concentrated in the bridge of the nose, eye sockets and teeth.
In some patients, in addition to the above symptoms, there is swelling of the eyelids, severe lacrimation and a decrease in the acuity of smell.
Causes of the disease
Allergic sinusitis is an ailment that appears against the background of other similar diseases. It can be allergic rhinitis, hay fever, and so on. The main irritants are pet hair, pollen, dust and some chemical compounds.
The allergen enters the body during respiration and is retained in the sinus cavity. The so-called mast cells are responsible for the course of allergic reactions. They are located within the sinuses and react instantly to a foreign element. Histamine begins to be actively produced.
All this leads to the rapid expansion of blood vessels. The result is swelling of the sinus mucosa. The body starts the mechanism for the secretion of a transparent secretion (mucus). With regular contact with allergens inside the paranasal sinuses, polyps can appear - pathological neoplasms.
Another possible cause of the development of the disease is intolerance to the components of various products and medicines.
Basically, allergic sinusitis, the symptoms of which we discussed above, is found in young guys and girls under the age of 20. An allergy in one of the parents significantly increases the risk of sinusitis in children. Active and passive smoking, infectious and colds act as provoking factors.
Diagnostic methods
Some people do not even realize that the cause of their poor health is precisely allergic-type sinusitis: its symptoms are similar to ARVI. At the end of autumn, all manifestations of sinusitis disappear without a trace and appear at the same time the next year.
Allergic sinusitis is dangerous because it can gradually transform into bronchial asthma in the absence of adequate treatment. If from year to year in the summer and early autumn you are worried about the symptoms of such a disease, you should consult a doctor and undergo an examination. The most common diagnostic methods in this case are the following:
- a blood test for the number of eosinophils in it;
- X-ray examination of the sinuses;
- nasopharyngeal endoscopy and endoscopy of the paranasal sinuses;
- skin samples;
- cytological analysis of snot.
To prescribe the correct treatment, it is necessary to establish why the allergic reaction has occurred. You need to know exactly what type of allergen caused inflammation of the mucous membrane and its swelling. It is for this purpose that various diagnostic methods are used. With their help, you can accurately determine the cause of the appearance of a pathological condition.
Therapy and prevention
Rehabilitation is carried out in stages and involves the following:
- Elimination of acute symptoms. For this, antihistamines are prescribed: Tavegil, Suprastin, Diazolin, and so on. Vasoconstrictors, aerosols, sprays, and physical therapy may be used (but only with permission from your healthcare professional).
- One of the most important conditions for effective treatment is the absence of any contact with strong allergens, which can negatively affect the rehabilitation process. If possible, you should limit the intake of drugs that are not involved in the treatment of allergic sinusitis.
- Taking antihistamines should only be done under the guidance of a doctor. Their long-term use is fraught with negative consequences.
- After the acute phase of the disease has passed and the symptoms have been eliminated, all efforts are directed to identifying the allergen that provoked the disease. For this, special laboratory samples are taken.
It is possible to use allergen therapy (ASIT), which involves the introduction into the body of an ultra-small amount of allergens during the period of remission. In this way, the body develops resistance to a particular type of allergen.- Lifestyle changes are essential to successfully managing allergic sinusitis. It is imperative to eliminate provoking factors and completely protect yourself from contact with the allergen.
- The final stage of rehabilitation is preventive measures. Take care of yourself and try to avoid respiratory diseases. It is also necessary to treat the teeth in a timely manner (they are often the focus of infection). Eliminate all chronic diseases of the nasopharynx.
- Try to walk outside more often (at least 45 minutes) and do breathing exercises every day. Cycling, jogging and walking are good preventive measures. All this strengthens the respiratory system very well.
It is possible to use allergen therapy (ASIT), which involves the introduction into the body of an ultra-small amount of allergens during the period of remission. In this way, the body develops resistance to a particular type of allergen.Doctors recommend starting treatment for allergic sinusitis as early as possible. To avoid dangerous complications, see your doctor. He will help relieve the acute symptoms of the disease, prescribe a diagnosis and select the optimal therapy. Lead a healthy lifestyle, breathe deeply, live happily ever after!
