Sinusitis is one of the most common forms of sinusitis, which is characterized by an inflammatory process in the maxillary (maxillary) sinuses. Like the other three pairs of paranasal sinuses, the maxillary sinuses communicate with the nasal passage thanks to a small anastomosis (1-2 mm), through which they are ventilated and mucus is separated from them. However, this opening also opens the way for viruses and unwanted microflora into the maxillary cavity, which contributes to the development of the disease. How much sinusitis is treated depends on many factors, including the causes and type of pathology.
Causes of development and symptoms
There are a large number of causes of sinusitis, including:
- infection of the nasopharynx with viruses and pathogenic bacteria;
- untreated cold;
- hypothermia, drafts;
- weakened immunity;
- inflammation of the upper teeth and poor oral hygiene;
- curvature of the nasal septum;
- injuries to the wall of the maxillary sinus;
- violation of the secretory function of the glands;
- the appearance of polyps;
- allergic reactions.
To cure sinusitis with a curvature of the nasal septum or the appearance of polyps, it often takes a little time and surgery, which will eliminate the cause that provoked the ailment.
Odontogenic inflammation of the maxillary sinuses (due to dental problems) is also eliminated in a short time after the intervention of the appropriate specialist - dentist. It is impossible to say how long to treat sinusitis of allergic origin, since it directly depends on the ability or impossibility to identify and eliminate the allergen. It is often difficult to completely avoid its effect on the body, therefore, the so-called specific hyposensitization is carried out - the targeted administration of an allergen to the patient to reduce sensitivity to it.
However, the most widespread reason for the development of pathology is untreated rhinitis or an advanced cold. Initially, with an ordinary acute respiratory viral infection, along with air currents, pathogens enter not only the nasopharynx, but also all the paranasal sinuses, including the maxillary. Therefore, ARVI, as a rule, is accompanied by the appearance of mucus in the maxillary sinuses, which can be seen on an X-ray or computed tomography. However, the presence of exudate (discharge) in the sinuses does not in itself indicate the development of sinusitis. Correct and timely treatment of colds relieves the patient from a runny nose and swelling of the mucous membrane, which, in turn, allows to restore the normal functioning of the maxillary sinuses and promotes the outflow of mucus from them.
That is, if the patient does not have specific symptoms and signs of a bacterial infection, then no special treatment is required. If, as a result of a complication of ARVI, a person begins to develop bacterial (purulent) sinusitis, then in this case, intensive therapy prescribed by a specialist will be needed.
The clinical picture of sinusitis is expressed by the following symptoms:
- nasal congestion that does not go away with standard remedies;
- violation of the sense of smell;
- green or yellow nasal discharge;
- pressure and pain in the area of u200b u200bthe location of the maxillary sinuses, which intensifies when the head is tilted forward;
- dull aching headache;
- increased body temperature;
- lack of appetite.
Types of sinusitis
Depending on the type of microflora that causes inflammation, a viral, bacterial and mixed type of disease can be distinguished. In accordance with the form of inflammation, catarrhal is distinguished (manifested mainly in a viral infection in the form of hyperemia, edema of the mucous membrane and the production of serous substance), purulent, odontogenic and allergic sinusitis. According to the speed and characteristics of the course, the disease can be acute and chronic. Thus, the duration of the treatment of pathology depends on the nature, severity and timeliness of referral to a specialist.
Acute sinusitis
If the patient lets a cold take its course and does not pay due attention to it, he thereby can trigger the mechanism for the development of acute sinusitis. Edema of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity overlaps the anastomosis connecting the maxillary sinuses with the middle nasal passage. Thus, the maxillary sinus turns into a closed space with low pressure and is a favorable environment for the vital activity of pathogenic bacteria. As a result of the addition of a bacterial infection, the secretions inside the sinus turn from mucous membranes into purulent ones and accumulate there in high concentration, having no way for outflow.
These inflammatory processes are accompanied by headache and pain in the area of the maxillary sinuses, chills, fever and indicate the need to consult a doctor. As a rule, in the initial stages of the development of acute sinusitis, specialists prescribe vasoconstrictor drugs, which are designed to reduce the edema of the mucous membrane and open the passage for the outflow of exudate.
In addition, the treatment must contain antibiotics. When fighting sinusitis, the course of antibiotic therapy is 10-14 days. It is important not to stop taking the prescribed drugs with the first improvement in the condition, since after a short time, a relapse of an untreated disease and its transition to a chronic stage is possible.
In more severe cases, therapy can last more than two weeks, but, as a rule, acute sinusitis lasts no more than 3-4 weeks.
If drug treatment does not bring the desired result, then domestic specialists often resort to using sinus catheters or puncturing the sinus wall, from where pus is pumped out and where anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics are injected. However, this method of treatment is not used abroad at all.
A puncture (puncture) is done exclusively for diagnostic purposes, when the infection is caused by several types of bacteria at once and cannot be treated with one antibiotic. With the help of a puncture, specialists accurately identify the bacteria that cause inflammation and prescribe the appropriate therapy.
Improper treatment or incomplete cure, especially against a background of weak immunity, can lead to the development of serious complications. Due to the close proximity, it is possible to damage the organs of hearing and vision, the development of periostitis (inflammation of the periosteal tissue), meningitis and, in some particularly severe cases, even sepsis. In such a situation, the patient requires hospitalization and inpatient treatment, which, depending on the type of complication, takes from one to several months.
Chronic sinusitis
It is difficult to say how many days sinusitis is treated in a chronic form, since in different cases, complete recovery can occur after months or even years. The acquisition of chronic sinusitis is facilitated by the constant presence of infection in the nasopharynx (with chronic adenoiditis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis). The appearance of polyps in the nasal cavity and the curvature of the nasal septum also affect. Among other things, chronic inflammation of the maxillary sinuses can also be the result of prolonged work in chemically hazardous industries.
A sign of the transition of pathology to the chronic stage is considered to be its exacerbation more than twice a year.
In chronic conditions, the symptoms are not as pronounced as in the acute form of sinusitis, although treatment takes about the same time. The difference is that due to reduced immunity, the constant presence of a source of infection in the nasopharynx and the partial addiction of bacteria to medications, the final recovery does not occur and the disease continues to recur. The manifestations of the disease (headache, nasal congestion, recurrent purulent discharge) can also persist in the period between exacerbations.
In order to overcome chronic sinusitis, it is necessary to carry out a whole range of measures for quite a long time.
First, you need to take antibacterial drugs regularly. Secondly, one should try to get rid of concomitant diseases and exclude from life the factors that cause inflammation of the maxillary sinuses. Thirdly, it is necessary to strengthen the general immunity. In addition, when the sinuses are cleared of pus, they resort to physiotherapy sessions (ultrasound therapy - UST, ultraviolet irradiation - UFO, ozokerite, electrophoresis, etc.).
Thus, the onset of complete recovery depends on the effectiveness and consistency of complex therapy.
Traditional methods of treatment
In order to speed up the healing process with inflammation of the maxillary sinuses, in addition to drug therapy, alternative methods can be used:
- rinsing the nasal cavity with a solution of sea salt (1 teaspoon per half liter of water);
- rinsing the nasal cavity with a decoction of St. John's wort (1 tablespoon per liter of water);
- onion juice is mixed with aloe juice in a 1: 1 ratio and instilled into each nostril;
- 20% alcoholic tincture of propolis is mixed with vegetable oil in a 1: 1 ratio and instilled into each nostril;
- rosehip or sea buckthorn oil can be instilled into the nostrils or used for inhalation (10 drops per pot of boiling water);
- bay leaf compress (pour a sprig of leaves with water and bring to a boil, then cool slightly and wrap in a napkin) in the maxillary sinuses.
