Consequences Of Sinusitis: Complications In Adults And Children

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Consequences of sinusitis: complications in adults and children

The content of the article:

1. Causes of complications

2. Consequences of neglected sinusitis

   1. Chronic sinusitis
   2. Meningitis
   3. Otitis
   4. Osteoperiostitis
   5. Orbital abscess
   6. Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve
   7. Pneumonia and bronchitis
   8. Angina
   9. Sepsis
3. How to avoid complications with sinusitis
4. Video

Sinusitis is a disease in which inflammation is localized in the maxillary sinuses of the nose. The process develops as a result of infection with viruses or bacteria. They can enter the nasal cavity from the outside or travel with blood. Most often, this form of sinusitis occurs as a complication of colds.

Sinusitis can lead to the development of serious consequences, which is associated with the anatomical location of the maxillary sinus

Sinusitis is characterized by symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, headache, aggravated by bending over, increased body temperature. If the disease is not treated, serious consequences may develop. This is largely due to the anatomical location of the maxillary sinus (near the infraorbital region, nasal cavity, maxillary artery, trigeminal nerve, brain tissue, etc.).

Causes of complications

Complications of sinusitis in adults and children can occur for the following reasons:

• untimely diagnosis of the disease;
• a self-interrupted course of treatment (most often, it is stopping the intake of antibiotics until the foci of infection completely disappear, after the symptoms of the disease have weakened);
• incorrectly selected medicines;
• non-compliance with doctor's prescriptions, self-replacement of prescribed drugs with ineffective analogues;
• weakening of immunity during pregnancy, due to prolonged illness or exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• long-term and / or frequent use of vasoconstrictor drops;
• improper cleansing of the contents of the sinuses, as a result of which the secret enters the middle ear.

Consequences of neglected sinusitis

The infection, along with the blood flow, can move through the body, which leads to the development of various complications. The consequences of sinusitis in adults and children can be very serious, up to and including death.

Chronic sinusitis

With the wrong or untimely treatment, the disease can become chronic. In this case, the patient often has nasal congestion, weakness, lethargy, and apathy.

The period of remission is replaced by an exacerbation, as a result of which the symptoms of the acute form of the disease - severe headache, nasal discharge, elevated body temperature, return.

It is very difficult to cure chronic sinusitis, and disorders of the immune system, hypothermia or colds can lead to relapses.

Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain or spinal cord. The disease is one of the most severe complications of sinusitis. The pus-filled maxillary sinuses are in close proximity to the lining of the brain.

Meningitis is one of the most severe complications of sinusitis

The infection spreads through the bone tissue or the bloodstream. Bacteria easily penetrate the meninges, causing a strong inflammatory process. In this case, the patient experiences the following symptoms:

• severe headache, which may be accompanied by vomiting and nausea;
• increased tone of the occipital muscles;
• confusion of consciousness;
• muscle weakness;
• photophobia;
• high fever (from 39 ° C).

The disease develops very rapidly, during the day the patient can fall into a coma. For treatment, broad-spectrum antibiotics and corticosteroids are used.

The progression of the disease leads to meningococcemia. It is characterized by spider veins on the lower limbs and buttocks. Death is possible.

Otitis

Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear. Through a wide, short canal that connects the cavity of the pharynx and the middle ear, the infection rises upward, causing an inflammatory process.

Otitis media is characterized by hearing impairment, ear congestion, increased body temperature

In this case, the following symptoms occur:

• hearing impairment;
• shooting ear pain or congestion;
• increased body temperature.

Antibiotics are used to treat the disease. Pain can be reduced with the help of analgesics. If otitis media is left untreated, meningoencephalitis may develop.

Osteoperiostitis

Osteoperiostitis is an inflammation of the bone tissue. It occurs if sinusitis has been going on for a long time. This complication is characterized by the following symptoms:

• swelling of the lower eyelids;
• swelling of the cheeks;
• pain in the gums.

Disease therapy is usually carried out in a hospital setting. The mainstay of treatment is the use of antibiotics.

Orbital abscess

An orbital abscess is a purulent, limited inflammation that occurs as a result of infection of the tissues of the orbit. It is often a complication of sinusitis. Visible manifestations are noticeable even in the photos of patients.

With an abscess of the orbit, there is swelling and redness in the eyelid area

The following symptoms indicate the development of the disease:

• redness of the eyelid skin;
• swelling in the eyelid area;
• soreness in the orbit area;
• decreased mobility of the eyeball;
• loss of visual acuity;
• phlegmon of the orbit (in severe cases).

Treat such consequences of sinusitis in a hospital setting. First, the primary focus of infection is eliminated, namely, the inflammatory process in the maxillary sinuses. Therapy is carried out with antibiotics, in some cases, surgical intervention is indicated.

Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve

The trigeminal nerve is separated from the maxillary sinus by a thin mucous membrane, therefore, in some cases, sinusitis leads to secondary neuralgia. The reason for this may be prolonged painful pulsation, if due attention has not been paid to its relief.

Due to the close anatomical placement of the maxillary sinuses and the trigeminal nerve, sinusitis often leads to inflammation of the trigeminal nerve

Also, acute, violent inflammation in the sinuses or a long chronic course of the disease can lead to the fact that reactive changes occur in the nervous structures. Symptoms of neuralgia include:

• pain in the temples, back of the head, or eye socket. It can be strong enough and not easily relieved with pain medications. The pain may radiate to the chest or arm;
• redness of the skin of the cheeks or conjunctiva of the eye;
• runny nose and watery eyes;
• increased skin sensitivity in the area of nerve damage.

For therapy, antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.

Pneumonia and bronchitis

Together with the inhaled air, an infection from the maxillary sinuses can go lower, causing such consequences of sinusitis as bronchitis (inflammation in the bronchi) or pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs).

One of the possible consequences of sinusitis is bronchitis.

With bronchitis, the patient experiences symptoms such as:

• dyspnea;
• chest pain;
• coughing up phlegm;
• high temperature;
• headache.

With pneumonia, the following symptoms appear:

• dry cough that turns into wet;
• pain in the chest;
• weakness, fatigue, headaches.

Both in the first and in the second case, treatment is carried out using antibiotics, mucolytics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Angina

Angina is an inflammation of the tonsils of the palate. Purulent discharge flows down the wall of the pharynx, which can cause the development of an inflammatory process. Sore throat is indicated by symptoms such as:

• a sore throat;
• increased body temperature;
• chills and weakness.

In most cases, such consequences of sinusitis are treated with antibiotics and antiseptics.

Sepsis

Sepsis is a general infection of the body with pathogens that have entered the bloodstream. It belongs to the most severe complications of sinusitis. This is a condition that is fatal without proper treatment. Symptoms of sepsis include:

• increased body temperature;
• tachycardia;
• weakness;
• loss of appetite;
• dizziness.

With sepsis, heart, respiratory, hepatic, or renal failure often develops. Treatment includes antibiotics and antiseptics. The purulent focus is removed surgically.

How to avoid complications with sinusitis

In order to prevent the consequences of sinusitis, you must:

• refuse self-medication, at the first signs of the disease, seek advice from a specialist;
• follow all the doctor's recommendations and do not interrupt the course of treatment on your own;
• lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right and strengthen the immune system;
• to refuse from bad habits.

In a severe course of the disease, a puncture of the maxillary sinus is indicated

In some cases, with acute sinusitis, the doctor may recommend a puncture. You shouldn't give up this procedure. Quick clearing of the sinus contents from the contents significantly shortens the recovery time. The last stage of the disease requires immediate surgical intervention.

If, in addition to the symptoms of sinusitis, signs of another disease appear, or the therapy does not give the desired effect, you should inform the ENT.

Video

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Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author

Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".

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