Sinusitis During Pregnancy: Home Treatment, Consequences

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

Sinusitis during pregnancy: treatment, how dangerous and what are the consequences

The content of the article:

Symptoms of sinusitis
Features of the treatment of sinusitis during pregnancy

Drug therapy
Possible consequences of sinusitis during pregnancy
Video

Maxillary sinusitis, or sinusitis, is an inflammation that occurs in the maxillary sinuses. The main causes of its occurrence are viral, bacterial or fungal infections. Weakening of the immune system during pregnancy is a risk factor for the development of the disease.

When the first symptoms of sinusitis appear, you should consult a doctor for advice

In the maxillary sinuses, infection can come from chronic foci in the tonsils, nasal or oral cavity with rhinitis, root pathologies or caries of the teeth of the upper jaw. The appearance of the disease is also facilitated by the presence of hypertrophic and allergic perennial rhinitis, congenital anomalies in the development of the facial skull, trauma to the face and nose, polyps in the nose and curvature of the nasal septum.

Infectious agents, getting on the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and sinuses, cause its swelling, inflammation and an increase in mucus production. The outflow of discharge from the sinuses through the fistula is disturbed, which creates favorable conditions for the growth of bacteria. Since the symptoms of the initial stage of the pathology are similar to the common rhinitis, therapy for maxillary sinusitis is not always started in a timely manner.

With the wrong choice of treatment or non-observance of the instructions of the otolaryngologist, the acute form of the disease, after a few weeks, turns into a chronic one. Treatment should be carried out under the strict supervision of a physician, as the disease can cause serious complications, including meningitis.

Symptoms of sinusitis

The presence of inflammation in the maxillary sinuses can be recognized by the following symptoms:

pain in the sinuses of the nose and frontal part;
nasal congestion;
aching headache that worsens when bending forward;
the appearance of a yellow or green discharge from the nasal passages;
cough that gets worse in the evening and at night;
increased body temperature;
rotten taste in the mouth.

Features of the treatment of sinusitis during pregnancy

Many medicines are contraindicated or used with extreme caution during pregnancy. The selection of drug therapy is carried out taking into account the state of health of the woman. The doctor balances the potential benefits of the drug for the mother with the possible risk to the baby. The danger lies in the aggressive effects of drugs on the body and their toxicity. The active substances that make up many drugs can penetrate the blood-brain barrier into the blood of the fetus and cause serious consequences.

For drug therapy, the doctor selects drugs with the least toxic effect

Purulent sinusitis is most dangerous during pregnancy. It is characterized by the presence of viscous and almost non-separable phlegm that fills the sinuses and the entire nasal cavity.

Drug treatment for purulent maxillary sinusitis is ineffective; to quickly relieve the patient's condition, they usually resort to puncturing a cavity filled with pus. The procedure helps to normalize the pressure in the sinuses. Otherwise, the formation of pus will continue, as a result of which the expectant mother may develop serious complications.

In some cases, in order to avoid puncture and sinusitis, in order to stimulate the outflow of fluid from the maxillary sinuses, minimally invasive treatment techniques are prescribed - procedures using the YAMIK sinus catheter, balloon sinusoplasty. Their advantage is considered to be high efficiency and minimal risk of complications.

One of the effective methods of treatment at home is cold inhalation with a nebulizer with mineral water or essential oils

For the treatment of sinusitis during pregnancy, antibiotics of a wide spectrum of action, anti-inflammatory drugs can be used, rinsing and warming of the nasal cavity can be prescribed, folk remedies can be used. Also, for the treatment of maxillary sinusitis during gestation, cold inhalations with essential oils or mineral water are indicated. It is recommended to carry out such procedures using a nebulizer.

Rinsing of the nose with antiseptic solutions, decoctions / infusions of medicinal herbs, and saline solutions are considered quite safe and effective. At the same time, the widely used herbal preparation based on the root of cyclamen - Sinuforte, like the homemade cyclamen juice, is contraindicated to use, which is associated with insufficient knowledge of the effect of the plant on pregnant women.

In the case of an uncomplicated course of the disease, physiotherapy may be prescribed as an adjunct or, in some cases, a replacement for drug treatment. The specific method of exposure, the duration of the course and the frequency of procedures are determined by a physiotherapist, taking into account contraindications and individual sensitivity.

It is important to take into account that only a doctor should select a therapy, since self-medication can have negative consequences. For example, warming up can be used only during remission in the absence of purulent discharge. Treatment of purulent sinusitis during pregnancy at home using this method will only contribute to the spread of inflammation.

Drug therapy

For the drug therapy of maxillary sinusitis during pregnancy, drugs with the least toxic effect are selected. The doctor sets the dosage regimen and the duration of the course on an individual basis.

With sinusitis in early pregnancy, as well as in the 2nd and 3rd trimester, the following remedies can be used:

Cedex: an antibacterial drug from the cephalosporin group, produced in capsules. When prescribed during pregnancy, the dosage regimen is adjusted. The duration of the course varies from 5 to 10 days;
Augmentin: a semi-synthetic broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic in the form of tablets and powder for the preparation of an oral suspension. It does not have a teratogenic effect during pregnancy, but can only be used in cases where the therapeutic effect for the mother significantly exceeds the potential risk to the fetus. The dosage of the drug is set depending on the severity of the infection, age, body weight and renal function of the patient. The recommended course duration is no more than 10 days;
Linex: a drug that normalizes the intestinal microflora. It is prescribed for antibiotic therapy to reduce their effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Available in capsules for oral administration. Minimum doses are recommended during pregnancy. The average course duration does not exceed one month;
Sinupret: a drug in the form of drops and dragees, prescribed for acute and chronic sinusitis with the formation of a viscous secretion. The drug removes mucus from the sinuses, makes breathing easier, relieves swelling and inflammation. During pregnancy, it is recommended to take pills, since the drops contain ethanol. The dosage and duration of the course of treatment is determined by the doctor on an individual basis;
Cinnabsin: a homeopathic remedy with a pronounced anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect. Available in the form of lozenges. After assessing the potential risk to the fetus and the benefit to the mother, it can be taken until complete recovery. According to reviews, the remedy does not cause side effects;
Aqua Maris: a local preparation that moisturizes the nasal mucosa and cleanses the nasal cavity. Available in the form of a metered-dose nasal spray. The composition contains sea water, which prevents the growth of bacteria and the formation of pus, and makes breathing easier. Immediately before injections, it is important to cleanse the nasal cavity from the accumulated discharge. Possible combined use with vasoconstrictor drops, which are injected 10-15 minutes after the procedure. Can be used until complete recovery;
Nazivin: a vasoconstrictor drug in the form of drops and nasal spray. During pregnancy, it is prescribed with caution. It is important not to exceed the dosage regimen recommended by the doctor and to use the drug for no longer than 5 days. If no improvement is observed during the first 48 hours of using the product, you should consult a doctor for advice;
Sanorin: decongestant, alpha-adrenergic agonist, nasal spray. Once in the nasal cavity, the agent has a quick, pronounced and prolonged vasoconstrictor effect - it narrows the blood vessels of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity and reduces blood flow in them. Thanks to this, swelling and hyperemia are reduced, the patency of the nasal passages is improved and nasal breathing is facilitated. During pregnancy, it is used only after a careful assessment of the ratio of potential risks with benefits for the mother and the fetus. The duration of the course should not exceed 7 days.

Possible consequences of sinusitis during pregnancy

Meningitis is a life-threatening consequence of untimely treatment of purulent sinusitis. It is characterized by the development of severe headache, photophobia, increased skin sensitivity, body temperature, and reaction to sounds. During pregnancy, meningitis is especially dangerous, since antibiotics must be taken to treat it, most of which are contraindicated during this period.

With prolonged disturbance of nasal breathing, fetal hypoxia may develop

In the absence of adequate therapy, inflammation from the maxillary sinuses can spread to the eyeball, cause retinal edema and infection of the orbit and, as a result, lead to loss of vision.

Acute maxillary sinusitis, which first appeared on the background of pregnancy, quickly becomes chronic. The main complaints in this case are: general weakness, increased fatigue and constant nasal congestion, which disrupts normal breathing.

Sinusitis does not directly affect the fetus. With local infection, bacteria and viruses that led to inflammation are unable to penetrate the placental barrier. However, persistent nasal congestion in a woman reduces the supply of oxygen to the blood and can lead to the development of fetal hypoxia.

With improper or untimely treatment of sinusitis, surgical intervention may be required to quickly alleviate the patient's condition. Severe intoxication of the mother's body, like general anesthesia, can negatively affect the condition of the fetus. In such cases, premature birth or the birth of a low birth weight baby is not excluded.

Sinusitis during pregnancy, like any other inflammatory disease, requires timely diagnosis and careful selection of therapy, taking into account the contraindications for this period. It is also important to observe measures to prevent the development of complications, including proper nutrition, adherence to the daily regimen, daily nasal hygiene, and the exclusion of hypothermia.