Polypoid sinusitis is an infectious and inflammatory disease in which there is a thickening of the nasal mucosa and the subsequent formation of polyps. If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner, then pathological neoplasms can completely block the nasal canals due to active cell division. The disease, in the absence of adequate treatment, is transformed into a chronic form. In this case, surgical intervention is indispensable.
Causes of the disease
Polypoid sinusitis is preceded by a viral disease. As a result, the fistula that connects the paranasal sinus to the nasal cavity becomes inflamed and swollen. Thus, the natural flow of mucus is disturbed. It accumulates within the sinuses and becomes an ideal breeding ground for pathogenic microflora. If measures are not taken in a timely manner, the initial stage will quickly turn into purulent.
As the disease progresses, the structure of the mucous tissue changes. They thicken and grow, which leads to the appearance of pathological neoplasms. In addition to normal mucosal cells, in parallel, connective polyps are formed, which ultimately provokes a violation of breathing through the nose.
However, not all cases of polyp proliferation are associated with acute inflammation. Often, pathology can occur without characteristic symptoms against a background of chronic rhinitis (rhinitis). Sometimes the inflammatory process is activated in a healthy paranasal sinus, while the unilateral form of sinusitis smoothly flows into the bilateral one.
The following risk factors increase the chances of nasal polyps forming:
- allergic as well as vasomotor rhinitis;
- excessive narrowness of the nasal passages;
- mechanical trauma to the face;
- deformation of the nasal septum;
- long presence in the paranasal sinus of a foreign object;
- chronic hypertrophic rhinitis;
- adenoids;
- genetic predisposition.
Polypoid sinusitis refers to a multifactorial ailment that is fraught with the danger of relapse. And yet, most experts tend to consider the combination of allergic and autoimmune reactions of the body as the main cause of its occurrence.
Symptoms
The characteristic manifestations of polypous sinusitis are diagnosed when polyps reach significant sizes. When such formations have grown in the nasal cavity, the following signs can be identified:
- difficulty breathing through the nose;
- complete obstruction of the nostril;
- lack of effect when using drugs for vasoconstriction;
- periodic secretion of mucus with particles of pus;
- decreased sense of smell;
- frequent headaches;
- systematic bouts of sneezing;
- heaviness in the head;
- the feeling of being in the nasal cavity of a foreign object;
- fatigue and irritability;
- sometimes increased inflammation is accompanied by an increase in temperature.
With prolonged sinusitis, patients often reveal complications in the form of eye diseases - keratitis, conjunctivitis, and so on. As a rule, exacerbation begins in autumn and winter, when general and local immunity is reduced.
The constant presence of pathological formations in the nasal cavity entails serious consequences. The paranasal sinuses are no longer ventilated properly. The inflammation becomes chronic. Bone cells are gradually destroyed. For this reason, pus can penetrate into nearby anatomical areas and expand the range of pathogenic bacteria.
Therapy
To begin with, the so-called conservative treatment is carried out. Although medications are not able to completely eliminate pathological neoplasms, they cannot be avoided. Medicines reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process, and also slow down the growth of polyps. Acute polyposis sinusitis, the treatment of which should be carried out only under the guidance of a doctor, involves the use of such means:
If the disease is of an allergic origin, the doctor prescribes antihistamines. They quickly relieve inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane. The most effective are "Kromoglin", "Tavegil", "Erius" and some others.- To block the development of the inflammatory process and slow down the subsequent hypertrophy of the mucosal tissues, nasal corticosteroids are used. Most often, Avamis, Fliksonase and Nazonex are prescribed.
- It is recommended to rinse the nose at regular intervals with pharmaceutical solutions based on seawater "Aqualor", "Physiomer", "Morenazal". Such procedures well remove purulent mucus from the nose and cleanse the nasal cavity.
- In combination with other drugs, antibiotics and antibacterial drugs of systemic action are used - "Polydex", "Amoxiclav", "Bioparox" and others. They eliminate accumulations of pus and pathogenic microflora. Bacterial agents are destroyed only by antibiotics. Their group and specific medicine should be selected only by a doctor.
- In order to increase local and general immunity, one cannot do without immunomodulatory agents. According to experts, Amiksin, Polioksidoniy and Immunoriks have proved to be excellent.
- If bacterial agents do not respond to treatment with standard antibacterial drugs, highly specialized vaccines and serums are prescribed.
- As disinfecting liquids for washing the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, Miramistin, Rivanol and Furacilin are used. They are used in conjunction with a cuckoo machine or sinus catheter. The latter option involves the introduction of thin tubes into both nostrils. An antiseptic solution is supplied one at a time, and pus is pumped out through the other.
If the disease is of an allergic origin, the doctor prescribes antihistamines. They quickly relieve inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane. The most effective are "Kromoglin", "Tavegil", "Erius" and some others.With a severe course of the disease, when polyps and cysts have grown excessively, drugs alone cannot be dispensed with. Surgical intervention is required.
More recently, special loops were used to remove pathological formations. But they decided to abandon this method in view of the large number of disadvantages:
- soreness of the procedure;
- the possibility of relapse;
- profuse bleeding and so on.
This method was replaced by others, which were a direct result of the development of modern surgery. Today, doctors successfully use endoscopic removal of polyposis formations using a shaver (microdebrider). The surgeon can monitor the progress of the operation and, if necessary, eliminate single polyps using a laser.
Prevention and Precautions
In order not to worsen the clinical picture and not harm their own body, doctors recommend that the patient refrain from hot steam inhalations. They provoke the active development of polyps and increase the intensity of the course of purulent processes.
Allergy sufferers are prohibited from staying in rooms with a lot of irritants (pet hair, dust, etc.) for a long time.
In addition, we advise you to quit smoking or at least minimize the number of cigarettes you smoke. Nicotine smoke has an extremely negative effect on the condition of the nasal mucosa and enhances the inflammatory process.
Unfortunately, there are no specific measures for the prevention of polypous sinusitis. All people prone to allergies are advised to:
- eat regularly and properly;
- monitor the level of humidity in the room;
- take antihistamines;
- avoid close contact with allergens.
In addition, try to cure adenoids in time, eliminate congenital or acquired anomalies in the structure of the nose. Do not forget that bacterial agents always multiply more actively in the body with reduced immunity.
Therefore, work to strengthen it - lead an active lifestyle, harden it, give up bad habits. Visit the ENT and undergo examinations regularly. All this in combination will help to minimize the risk of polyposis sinusitis.
