What is bilateral sinusitis, its symptoms and treatment. Symptoms of bilateral sinusitis and methods of its treatment Features of conservative treatment

If you have problems breathing through your nose, and periodic headaches and pain in the bridge of your nose, then you most likely have bilateral sinusitis. We are talking about a pathological inflammatory process that simultaneously affects 2 sinuses. This disease can be caused by fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens. They focus on the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses and create a focus of infection.

Bilateral sinusitis can last more than 2 months and bring severe discomfort to the patient. At first, sinusitis presents as an acute form with pronounced symptoms. Untimely or incorrect treatment transforms it into a chronic form with a hidden course of the disease.

Main causes and symptoms of sinusitis

Often, 2-sided sinusitis acts as a complication of the unilateral form of the disease. Among the factors that provoke it are the following:

  • adenoids;
  • acute rhinitis;
  • chronic rhinitis;
  • untreated respiratory diseases;
  • curvature (deformation) of the nasal septum;
  • infection with bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens;
  • diseases of the teeth located in the upper jaw.

It is worth noting that acute bilateral sinusitis is uncommon. It is distinguished by the vivid severity of symptoms, severity and duration of the disease (the disease can last two or more months). So, what are the signs that accompany this disease?

First of all, it should be noted that there are regular headaches that get worse in the evening or when bending over. Intense pain is localized in the paranasal sinuses, as well as in the frontal and temporal parts. Difficulty breathing through the nose begins due to congestion in both nostrils.

In addition, the patient complains of copious discharge of clear mucus from the nose, and the voice becomes nasal. Pain is clearly visible when palpating (feeling) the maxillary sinuses.

Diagnosis and therapy

Whatever the form of bilateral sinusitis (acute or chronic), qualified treatment under the guidance of doctors is required. That is why we recommend that at the first symptoms of such an illness, seek professional help as soon as possible. This will significantly reduce the risk of dangerous complications. Before prescribing therapy, the doctor makes a diagnosis. The most effective methods are the following:

Based on the data obtained, an optimal strategy is drawn up that guarantees effective treatment. The most commonly used drug therapy is:

  1. Your doctor may prescribe topical medications to constrict blood vessels. They will help quickly eliminate swelling of the mucous membrane. For this purpose, the following medications are prescribed: “Otrivin”, “Vibrocil”, “Sanorin”, “Naphthyzin” and others.
  2. To normalize body temperature (if it is elevated), antipyretic and painkillers are prescribed (Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Paracetamol, and so on).

To make treatment more effective, physiotherapeutic procedures such as electrophoresis and UHF are used. Surgical intervention, as a rule, is required quite rarely when medication has had no effect.

Therapy with antibiotics

Antimicrobial medications are used when other treatments have been ineffective and symptoms have not gone away. Don't forget: deciding on your own which antibiotics to use is not recommended. They are prescribed only by a doctor. The wrong choice of medications can worsen the clinical picture and cause serious complications.

The choice in favor of one or another group of antibiotics will be made only after diagnosing the patient and determining the key cause of sinusitis. The main goal of antibiotic therapy is to destroy the source of infection. Typically, the following medications are prescribed to treat bilateral sinusitis:

At the same time, we should not forget about the duration of the effects of antibiotics on the body. It should not exceed fourteen days from the start of treatment. Otherwise, the intestinal microflora will be greatly affected. And this will cause diarrhea, dysbacteriosis and other unpleasant consequences.

If antibiotic therapy is ineffective, the doctor prescribes the most radical method of treatment - surgery.

Surgical method

If the patient sought help too late, or drug therapy was ineffective, a puncture of the frontal or maxillary sinuses is performed. This procedure is in demand to reduce excess pressure that affects the paranasal sinuses. Puncture allows you to restore normal mucus discharge and eliminate the accumulation of pus.

In some cases, the puncture may not have the desired effect (the inflammatory process remains). Rinsing the nasal passages with special antibacterial solutions comes to the rescue. Washing, like puncture, must be performed in a hospital. Self-medication in this case is contraindicated, as it only aggravates the course of the disease. If you do not consult a doctor and ignore the disease for a long time, it will transform into more serious diseases:

  • encephalitis;
  • meningitis;
  • thrombosis;
  • osteomyelitis;
  • otitis media of purulent type;
  • purulent inflammation of the eyes.

Pay attention to your health, listen to your feelings. If you experience regular headaches or a sudden rise in temperature, visit your doctor. It is possible that you have acute sinusitis.

Folk recipes

At the very beginning of the disease, when sinusitis is not advanced, it can be cured with remedies from the arsenal of traditional medicine. The most effective will be the following:

Prevention

Of course, it is impossible to completely insure yourself against bilateral sinusitis. But you can significantly reduce the risk of this disease by adhering to the following simple rules. Take care of your health and your immune system. Start practicing hardening and contrasting souls. This will maximize the body's resistance.

Effective functioning of the immune system will allow the body to independently fight a viral infection. Don't forget to take vitamins (especially in the autumn-winter period, when seasonal flu and cold epidemics rage).

If hardening is not suitable for you, try not to get too cold and avoid drafts. Always keep your feet warm and dress appropriately for the weather and season. Minimize contact with people with colds.

Sinusitis can occur with some regularity. This means that their cause lies in anatomical features (deviated nasal septum, and so on). In this case, the only reasonable solution is to visit a surgeon. Don't forget: only you are responsible for your health. Therefore, take care of it, and then you will not be afraid of any sinusitis.

With an inflammatory process in the nasal paranasal sinuses, sinusitis is diagnosed. This disease can be localized in one of the sinuses or in several on one side. If the inflammation has spread to the area on both sides of the nose, we are talking about bilateral sinusitis.

Causes of the disease

Bilateral sinusitis can develop as a complication of the unilateral form of the disease.

Causes of sinusitis also include:

  • advanced types of respiratory tract diseases;
  • chronic or acute rhinitis;
  • presence of adenoids;
  • deviated nasal septum;
  • infection with various fungal, bacterial or viral pathogens;
  • problems with maxillary teeth.

Symptoms of the disease

The bilateral type of sinusitis is much less common, but it is distinguished by quite pronounced symptoms, as well as the severity and duration of the disease.

The main signs of bilateral sinusitis include:

  • constant headaches, worsening in the evening and when tilting the head;
  • acute pain syndrome in the paranasal sinuses and in the frontal temporal part;
  • nasal congestion in both halves, leading to difficulty breathing;
  • runny nose with characteristic exudative nasal discharge;
  • painful sensations when pressing on the maxillary sinuses;
  • nasal voice.

Types of bilateral sinusitis

The disease can occur in both acute and chronic forms.

The acute stage, in addition to the listed symptoms, is characterized by a significant increase in temperature to 39° and a deterioration in the patient’s general condition.

The chronic course is also characterized by the presence of copious purulent discharge and problems with the sense of smell.

Depending on the location of the inflammation, sinusitis can be of the following types:

  • frontal sinusitis, covering the frontal paranasal sinuses;
  • sphenoiditis, involving both parts of the sphenoid bone;
  • sinusitis, characteristic of the maxillary sinuses;
  • ethmoiditis, with pathology in the ethmoidal labyrinth.

Diagnostic features

The differences between maxillary sinusitis and ethmoiditis, a bilateral type of disease and a unilateral disease can be determined using correct diagnosis, consisting of the following measures:

  • examination of the clinical picture of the disease;
  • analysis of expressed symptoms;
  • additional studies in the form of computed tomography of the nasal sinuses, radiography of the maxillary teeth, nuclear magnetic resonance and ultrasound examination of the paranasal sinuses;
  • laboratory tests, puncture of sinus contents.

Treatment rules

Treatment of bilateral sinusitis may require, depending on the complexity of the disease, the use of different methods:

  • drug therapy;
  • sinus evacuation techniques;
  • surgical intervention;
  • physiotherapeutic procedures;
  • traditional medicine;
  • preventive measures.

Traditional treatment for bacterial sinusitis consists of taking antibiotics to effectively fight the infection. Treatment with vasoconstrictor drops will help eliminate swelling of the mucous membrane. The acute form of the disease may require the prescription of absorbable and antihistamine drugs.

Treatment with the sinus evacuation procedure consists of inserting small-diameter catheters into both nasal passages, through which an antiseptic is supplied. In the same way, purulent exudate is removed from the sinuses.

Surgical treatment involves punctures to drain pus and introduce the necessary anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs directly into the area where the disease is located. Doctors come to this decision if there is no effect from drug treatment, as well as if the general condition worsens in the form of severe headaches, fever and a large amount of purulent discharge.

Physiotherapy is a fairly effective method of treating the disease, including UHF procedures, diadynamic currents, inhalations, etc.

Treatment of sinusitis by rinsing the nose deserves special attention. This procedure can be carried out at home, using a saline solution, or in a clinic using special equipment and drugs.

Mild forms of bilateral sinusitis, along with drug treatment, can be cured using folk remedies.

The most popular methods are:

  • inhalation over a pan of boiled potatoes or boiling water with the addition of “Zvezdochka” balm, menthol or garlic;
  • warm compresses made from boiled eggs, heated salt or river sand, wrapped in a bag or scarf, cakes made from honey and rye flour;
  • drops made from aloe juice with the addition of honey and boiled beet juice or garlic juice with olive oil;
  • rinsing the nose with self-prepared solutions of mineral water, green tea, herbal infusions (sage, chamomile, black currant, string, St. John's wort), water with the addition of sea salt and iodine (in small quantities), potassium permanganate, propolis.

Like any other disease, treatment of bilateral sinusitis is better to prevent than to eliminate its symptoms. An excellent way to prevent the disease is to take care of the immune system, in which due attention should be given to saturating the body with essential vitamins.

With reduced immunity and a tendency to respiratory diseases, you should avoid contact with carriers of infection, protect the body from hypothermia, drafts, and keep your feet warm.

To prevent maxillary sinusitis, you need to ensure proper dental care.

In any case, the effectiveness of treatment of the disease will depend on a timely visit to an ENT doctor, the correct diagnosis and strict adherence to the doctor’s instructions.

Bilateral sinusitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the paranasal sinuses, often accompanied by symptoms of general intoxication. The disease got its name because of the suppuration on both sides, which is symmetrical.

The disease differs from unilateral one in the severity of its course. In addition, the lack of treatment for bilateral sinusitis provokes many infectious complications.

What happens in the body

Inflammation develops for a number of reasons. Since the nostrils are the body's entry point, they help the body filter out many microbes that enter the body through airborne droplets.

The nose is endowed with a special function - it produces a certain secretion in which the infection gets stuck and does not reach the vital organs.

But sometimes the system fails due to the influence of various provoking factors. In this case mucus becomes an excellent breeding ground for microbes. They begin to rapidly multiply and release waste products into the human body, which cause intoxication symptoms.

At this stage, the body can no longer cope with “uninvited guests” on its own, so backup protection turns on, and the first signs of illness appear.

Causes of sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis is almost always a consequence of an acute form of the disease. It, in turn, can develop due to many predisposing factors. Often this condition provokes a person’s inattention to his health.

Acute bilateral sinusitis appears if there is a history of:

  • untreated respiratory infection or flu;
  • infectious diseases of the respiratory system;
  • adenoids;
  • unilateral sinusitis;
  • severe allergic reactions;
  • deviated nasal septum;
  • caries, pulpitis;
  • head injuries;
  • regular outbreaks of rhinitis;
  • decreased immunity.

Any of the reasons is a catalyst for infection to enter the body, which ultimately provokes this disease. Often, sinusitis is a complication that develops due to the lack of treatment for the above problems.

Bilateral maxillary sinusitis is a complication that occurs due to chronic dental problems.

Symptoms of the disease

The disease is accompanied by a number of distinctive signs that make it different from ARVI or influenza. Since sinusitis is an inflammation that occurs with suppuration of the nasal mucosa, the symptoms are pronounced and differ in their characteristics.

Symptoms of sinusitis:

  • shooting headache – intensity varies depending on the severity of the disease, can radiate to various areas on the face;
  • runny nose - the amount of mucous or purulent discharge depends on the form of sinusitis;
  • nasal congestion – appears due to swelling of the mucous membranes;
  • cough - observed due to the entry of viscous secretions into the throat cavity, which provokes a cough reflex;
  • deterioration of the condition due to intoxication of the body - manifested by increased temperature, lethargy, aches in the joints and muscles;
  • dysfunction of the sense of smell.

If the patient’s medical history contains factors predisposing to sinusitis, and the disease is accompanied by similar symptoms, a preliminary diagnosis is made. The specialist makes a full conclusion after performing the diagnosis..

Diagnostics

After the survey and examination, the otolaryngologist will refer you for further laboratory and diagnostic tests. To distinguish sinusitis and sinusitis from other diseases, you must perform the following manipulations:

  • Rhinoscopy is an endoscopic method for diagnosing diseases of the nasal cavity.;
  • CT scan;
  • X-ray of the paranasal sinuses;
  • laboratory diagnosis of purulent pathogen discharged for culture;
  • general blood and urine analysis.

If there is such a need, additional studies are prescribed to form a complete clinical picture of sinusitis. Sometimes examinations are carried out to help identify the root cause of the disease..

Treatment

Treatment of infectious problems should be accompanied by specialist supervision. Treatment of suppuration is absolutely unacceptable at home without the use of appropriate drug therapy.

Acute bilateral maxillary sinusitis, in addition to drug therapy, requires elimination of gum suppuration. Other forms of inflammation of the paranasal sinuses also require individual selection of therapeutic measures.

Medication

It should be remembered that treatment with drugs is prescribed only by a specialist after a full diagnosis. Self-administration of medications is not recommended.

Such actions contribute to the loss of precious time that could be spent on providing quality therapy.

Self-medication is the cause of complications in most cases.

  • Antibiotics

Indicated when the disease is accompanied by an infection. The group of agents is selected based on tests for microbial resistance to a particular group of antibiotics. They are used in the form of tablets, sprays or injections for intramuscular administration. The dosage form is adjusted according to the severity of the disease. The most commonly used are Erythromycin, Amoxiclav, Bioparox, Ceftriaxone and other similar agents.

  • Anti-inflammatory drugs

Recommended to relieve swelling. In addition, they help remove a significant part of the bacteria that accumulate in the cavity of the paranasal sinuses. It is often applied topically, in the form of drops or sprays. The doctor may prescribe Nazivin, Afrin, Aqualor, Aquamaris, Miramistin. Erespal or Sinupret are often used as tablets.

  • Antihistamines

Indicated if the cause of sinusitis is an allergic reaction. The drugs block histamine receptors, which temporarily stops excess mucus production and also relieves swelling. Medicines in this group will be effective in eliminating the source of the allergen that caused such a reaction in the body. The doctor will recommend Suprastin, Tavegil, Claritin, Zyrtec, Cetrin or any other most suitable remedy.

  • Other symptomatic medications

Depending on the symptomatic manifestations, the doctor will prescribe mucolytics (Sinupret, Mucodin, etc.), antipyretics (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen or Aspirin), as well as other drugs that are required in a particular case.

Traditional methods

Sinusitis can be treated using traditional medicine only with the permission of a doctor. Home therapy methods significantly alleviate the course of the disease if the patient does not want to take a large number of symptomatic medications.

During any illness, the body requires a large amount of fluid. Therefore, it is recommended to drink warm herbal tea, fruit juice or compote of dried fruits and berries.

If there is no suppuration, to ease breathing, you can inhale by adding dried herbs to boiling water, a couple of drops of essential oil, or take a decoction after boiling potatoes in their jackets. It is recommended to breathe in the vapors of onions or garlic, which release natural phytoncides that help fight infection. You can also use honey, lemon or raspberry jam to strengthen your immune system.

Prevention

If a person has a history of predisposing factors or outbreaks of sinusitis have already been observed, subsequent prevention should be given due attention on a daily basis, especially in the autumn-winter period. It is recommended to give up smoking and drinking alcohol, strengthen the immune system using various methods, and take regular walks in the fresh air.

Particular attention should be paid to respiratory diseases - they need to be treated as early as possible. It is also necessary to visit the dentist promptly for dental treatment. Following these simple rules will prevent relapse of the disease, and the chronic form of sinusitis will differ in the duration of remission.

Changes also extend to the mucous membrane of the maxillary cavity. The membrane lining the maxillary sinus (sinus) becomes inflamed, and the natural outflow from the cavity is disrupted. As a result, conditions are created in the maxillary cavity for the proliferation of pathogenic microflora.

Chronic bilateral maxillary sinusitis is characterized by severe progression. In children, the acute form of bilateral sinusitis easily becomes chronic; mycoplasmas and chlamydia are often the causative agents.

In adults, chronic bilateral sinusitis is usually caused by streptococci and staphylococci.

Causes of bilateral sinusitis

The main causes of acute bilateral sinusitis are viral infection and hypothermia. An additional condition for the occurrence of the disease is a decrease in immunity, bacterial infection of the nasal cavity, adenoids, curvature, and trauma to the nose.

Chronic bilateral sinusitis occurs as a result of untreated acute sinusitis, foci of chronic infection in the nasopharynx.

Classification of bilateral sinusitis

According to the nature of the bilateral inflammatory process, sinusitis is distinguished:

Catarrhal bilateral acute sinusitis is considered the mildest form of the disease. The virus causes slight swelling of the mucous membrane and the release of a colorless, viscous, odorless discharge.

Acute bilateral exudative sinusitis is accompanied by the release of a large amount of watery mucous secretion. Mucus, due to a violation of the outflow from the sinus, accumulates, which creates conditions for the addition of a bacterial or fungal infection.

Acute bilateral purulent sinusitis provokes direct bacterial infection or the addition of a bacterial infection at the stage of catarrhal or exudative bilateral sinusitis.

With purulent bilateral sinusitis, the discharge is yellowish, greenish, viscous, with a repulsive odor. Purulent discharge flows down the back wall of the pharynx, the patient is forced to cough it up and partially swallow it.

Diagnostics

In adults, the main diagnostic procedure is fluoroscopy, diagnostic puncture, and ultrasound.

To diagnose sinusitis in children and pregnant women, they do not resort to radiography; they use the diaphanoscopy method. During this study, the transparency of the maxillary cavity is studied by placing a special Hering lamp in the mouth.

Symptoms of bilateral sinusitis

Clinical manifestations of bilateral sinusitis depend on the stage of the disease. The catarrhal and exudative forms are characterized by impaired breathing through the nose, severe pain in the area of ​​​​the projections of the maxillary sinuses, copious mucous, and watery discharge from the nose.

General health worsens, but ability to work remains. The temperature rises slightly, headaches, pain behind the eye sockets, above the eyebrows are noted. There is a change in the timbre of the voice, nasality appears.

With purulent acute bilateral sinusitis, the intensity of symptoms increases many times over. The body temperature rises to 39 o C, the headache becomes painful. The pain radiates to the eyes, forehead, face.

Acute bilateral purulent sinusitis cannot be cured without antibiotics; it is necessary to start a course of treatment at the first signs of the disease.

If a child has a cold or runny nose, greenish discharge from the nose, complaints of headache, fever, then it is necessary to immediately undergo an examination by an otolaryngologist.

In a child, the acute form of bilateral sinusitis often becomes chronic, which is much more difficult to treat. If the symptoms of acute bilateral sinusitis do not disappear within 6 weeks, then the disease has become chronic.

Treatment options

When choosing a treatment regimen for bilateral sinusitis, in addition to the otolaryngologist, the opinion of medical specialists such as a dentist, neurologist, and allergist is taken into account.

Treatment with antibiotics

Antibacterial drugs are prescribed for all forms of bilateral sinusitis - both viral and bacterial. In the viral form, the need for prescription is explained by the need to suppress the activity of one’s own pathogenic microflora, which is always present in the paranasal sinuses.

Normally, the body’s own microflora is restrained by the body’s defenses, but with a viral infection, immunity decreases and bacteria begin to multiply rapidly.

Without antibiotic treatment, the relatively mild catarrhal form of bilateral sinusitis will turn into a purulent form in 2-3 days, and then into chronic bilateral sinusitis.

Antibiotics are the drugs of choice:

  1. a number of macrolides - erythromycin, sumamed, azithromycin, midecamycin, clarithromycin;
  2. betalactam series – augmentin;
  3. Latest generation cephalosporins – cefuroxime, cefodox, ceftriaxone.

You may find the following article useful: Treatment of sinusitis in adults.

When treating bilateral sinusitis in a child, preference is given to drugs in the form of a suspension; adults are treated with tablets and capsules. In severe cases of bilateral maxillary sinusitis, medications are administered intramuscularly or intravenously.

Bilateral sinusitis in children is treated with macrolides. These antibiotics show high activity against chlamydial and mycoplasma infections, characteristic of childhood.

Symptomatic treatment of bilateral sinusitis

To reduce temperature and reduce pain, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. Treatment is carried out with calcium chloride and ascorutin.

Antihistamines are used - tavegil, zyrte, claritin, clarotadine, suprastin, cetrin.

To improve nasal breathing, vasoconstrictor drugs, lavage of the nasal cavity, and inhalation with saline solution through a nebulizer are prescribed.

Non-drug treatment

Additional methods of treating bilateral sinusitis include physiotherapy and acupuncture.

When treating purulent bilateral sinusitis, you should not resort to thermal procedures.

Yellowish thick discharge in acute sinusitis in a child indicates that the disease has already become purulent. Warm compresses and steam inhalations will cause a sharp deterioration in the child’s health.

At home, for bilateral sinusitis, daily rinsing of the nose with furatsilin, saline solutions, and special pharmaceutical products - Dolphin, Aqua Maris, Aqualor - is useful.

It is recommended to cleanse the nasal sinuses using the “cuckoo” method and rinse the paranasal cavities using the YAMIK catheter method. These techniques relate to diagnostic and treatment procedures and allow obtaining material to identify the causative agent of the disease.

The YAMIK catheter is a non-puncture effective method for treating bilateral and unilateral sinusitis. The method is painless and well tolerated by both adults and children.

In case of severe bilateral sinusitis and the ineffectiveness of conservative treatment, they resort to puncture of the maxillary cavity. When treating a child for bilateral sinusitis, they try not to prescribe a puncture, preferring non-puncture methods, as well as drug therapy.

A puncture for bilateral sinusitis is performed with a Kulikovsky needle through the nose. The needle is inserted after treating the nasal mucosa with lidocaine. The procedure does not cause pain, it allows you to remove all accumulated pus and mucus from the sinus, eliminate and treat colonies of microorganisms populating the mucous membrane with antibiotics.

The puncture has high therapeutic effectiveness. In severe cases of bilateral acute sinusitis in a child, surgical treatment prevents the disease from becoming chronic and causing complications.

Complications

Acute and chronic bilateral sinusitis is dangerous due to its proximity to the meninges. The infection, penetrating the membranes of the brain, causes inflammation - meningitis.

With advanced bilateral sinusitis, complications such as neuritis of the facial and trigeminal nerves and osteomyelitis of the jaw are possible.

Chronic nasal breathing is also dangerous for the body. The result of constant nasal congestion is a lack of oxygen, chronic oxygen starvation of tissues and organs.

Without treatment, both acute and chronic bilateral sinusitis leads to heart and kidney failure and high blood pressure.

Learn more about the complications of sinusitis in the article Consequences of sinusitis.

Prevention of bilateral sinusitis

To avoid bilateral inflammation of the maxillary sinuses, you must try to avoid hypothermia of the head, colds, flu, and chronic diseases of the ENT organs - ear, throat, nose.

If the course of sinusitis is allergic, it is necessary to eliminate the effect of the allergen, for which, during the period of exacerbation, rinse the nose daily with saline solutions - Aqua Maris, Dolphin.

Forecast

In case of acute bilateral sinusitis, in the absence of complications, improvement in well-being is noted on the 4-5th day, and recovery the next day. For chronic bilateral sinusitis, the prognosis is favorable if the patient undergoes regular treatment under the supervision of a physician.

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How and with what to treat bilateral sinusitis?

Sinusitis is a common disease that quickly becomes chronic. Chronic sinusitis significantly worsens the quality of life and interferes with normal nasal breathing. Bilateral sinusitis is a more widespread and severe disease than unilateral sinusitis. It affects both sinuses and is more difficult to treat.

Causes and signs of bilateral sinusitis

Bilateral sinusitis is an acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinuses

Inflammation of the facial sinuses is called sinusitis. Sinusitis varies in location and is divided into sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, ethmoiditis, and sphenoiditis. The maxillary sinuses are located on both sides of the bridge of the nose. Inflammation of both sinuses is immediately called bilateral sinusitis.

The causes of bilateral sinusitis are often associated with reduced immunity. Bilateral sinusitis can occur as an independent disease or as a complication of acute respiratory viral infection. With viral rhinitis, inflammation can spread, causing inflammation of the mucous membrane of the facial sinuses.

Long-term allergic rhinitis, as well as adenoids (in children over 3 years old), can also lead to bilateral sinusitis. Up to 3 years of age, sinusitis does not occur due to insufficient development of the maxillary sinuses. Inflammation of the maxillary sinuses is caused by various pathologies of the nasal structure: deviated septum, trauma, fractures, etc.

Very often, the cause of sinusitis is a bacterial infection - the disease is accompanied by purulent discharge and requires antibacterial therapy.

The following characteristic symptoms of sinusitis are distinguished:

  • Severe nasal congestion. As a rule, sinusitis begins with severe swelling of the mucous membrane, more severe than with rhinitis. This swelling prevents breathing through the nose and is relieved with vasoconstrictor drugs for a short time. The function of smell is impaired, the voice becomes nasal.
  • Nasal discharge. With bilateral sinusitis, purulent processes often occur due to impaired air outflow in the maxillary sinuses. Pus accumulates in the sinuses and is discharged from the nasal passages in small quantities. The discharge will be yellow-green, thick, and have an unpleasant odor.
  • Headache. With bilateral sinusitis, pain can occur in the bridge of the nose and on the sides of it, in the forehead and brow ridges. The pain can be very severe or bursting, pressing. The pain intensifies when the head is tilted.
  • Fever. Typically, high fever is accompanied by acute and purulent sinusitis. In the chronic form, fever may appear during periods of exacerbation.

Drug treatment and antibiotics

Most often, antibacterial therapy is prescribed for the treatment of bilateral sinusitis.

Bilateral sinusitis is a serious disease that can lead to unpleasant consequences. It is important not to miss the first signs of sinusitis and start treatment on time.

Self-medication in this case can be dangerous, since effectiveness depends on a correct diagnosis. Sinusitis has many different forms (catarrhal, purulent, serous, polypous), and each requires special treatment. All medications should be prescribed by an ENT doctor after examination. Incorrect treatment can lead to various complications.

Most often, drug treatment of bilateral sinusitis includes the following points:

  • Antibiotics. For purulent discharge and prolonged fever, treatment is carried out with antibacterial drugs. Local medications with antibiotics such as Isofra may also be prescribed. Taking oral antibiotics helps fight the bacterial infection and prevent it from spreading. It is very important to complete the course of antibiotic treatment, since its interruption leads to relapse and development of drug resistance in bacteria. Most often, Azithromycin, Amoxicillin, Amoxiclav, Ciprofloxacin are prescribed for sinusitis.
  • Vasoconstrictor drugs. Bilateral sinusitis is accompanied by severe swelling, so you cannot do without nasal drops. These drugs relieve congestion for a while and allow you to breathe through your nose. However, abuse of vasoconstrictors leads to even greater swelling and inflammation, addiction and fragility of the vessels of the nasal mucosa. For sinusitis, you can use any sprays and drops based on oxymetazoline or xylometazoline: Nazivin, Nazol, Snoop, Rinonorm, Tizin, etc.
  • Preparations for rinsing the nose. In case of sinusitis, the nasal passages need to be washed out of pus. For these purposes, sprays based on sea water or saline are used: Otrivin, Aqualor, Aqua Maris. They help relieve inflammation and cleanse the mucous membrane.

If necessary, we can take antipyretic drugs. The doctor may also prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, local hormonal medications, physiotherapy, etc.

Traditional methods of treatment

Nasal rinsing is an effective additional method of treating sinusitis.

Traditional recipes can be quite effective for bilateral sinusitis, but, as a rule, as additional therapy.

Exclusively using traditional medicine, you can cope with the disease only at the initial stage. With an advanced form of bilateral sinusitis, you cannot do without medication.

The best folk recipes:

  • Inhalations. Hot steam inhalations should be used with caution, as in some forms of sinusitis they can be harmful. Inhalations with propolis are very effective for incipient bilateral sinusitis. To do this, you need to dilute 2 tablespoons of propolis alcohol tincture in 2 liters of boiling water and breathe over the steam. It is worth remembering that propolis can cause allergies.
  • Warm clay compresses. You can purchase clay at any cosmetic store or pharmacy. Clay powder is diluted with hot water to form plasticine. Gauze is applied along the edges of the bridge of the nose and warm clay is placed on it. You need to keep it until it cools down. In case of severe purulent processes, such heating is not recommended.
  • Honey ointment. Traditional medicine recommends boiling homemade ointment and introducing it into the nasal passages using cotton swabs. To prepare the ointment, you need to rub a little baby soap without additives, add honey, vegetable oil and milk. Mix all this and boil in a water bath. When it thickens, add a few drops of alcohol. This ointment should not be used if you are allergic to honey. It must be inserted carefully and not too deeply.
  • Nasal rinsing. It is necessary to rinse the nasal passages during sinusitis. Only a doctor can rinse the sinuses, but even ordinary rinsing of the nose with a syringe will help relieve inflammation and reduce swelling. As a solution, you can use salted water, water with soda, water with a drop of iodine.
  • Radish juice. It is recommended to instill fresh radish juice into each nostril. To avoid burns to the mucous membrane, it is better to dilute the juice with boiled water in a 1:1 ratio.
  • St. John's wort infusion. St. John's wort has a strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. Pour boiling water over a spoon of St. John's wort and let it brew. This infusion can be used to rinse your nose or drop it into each nostril.

Puncture of the maxillary sinuses

A puncture is prescribed if other treatment methods are no longer effective.

Patients with sinusitis try their best to avoid sinus puncture for fear of pain and complications. In some cases, medications simply cannot help. The patient has a fever for a long time and suffers from headaches.

A puncture of the maxillary sinus can lead to some complications in rare cases, but severe sinusitis itself is dangerous, so the doctor prescribes this procedure only when the potential benefit outweighs the risk of complications. This procedure is not as painful as it seems. Doctors say that it is no more painful than dental treatment under anesthesia. The opinion that after a puncture it will have to be carried out constantly is also erroneous. A sinus puncture does not provoke further accumulation of pus.

The puncture procedure is carried out in several stages:

  • Administration of vasoconstrictors. With sinusitis, severe swelling can interfere with vision. First, any conventional vasoconstrictor drug based on xylometazoline is administered so that the patient begins to breathe freely through the nose.
  • Anesthesia. Anesthetic substances (lidocaine, novocaine) are either rubbed into the skin near the nose or administered by injection. In any case, anesthesia allows you not to feel sharp pain. Only unpleasant sensations like bloating will remain.
  • Insertion of the needle. The needle is inserted into the lower part of the nasal passage, where the bone is thinnest. The needle is inserted 1-1.5 cm. The patient hears a characteristic crunch and feels pressure in the nose area.
  • Removing pus. When the needle enters the sinus, the doctor begins to remove the pus. The patient's head should be tilted slightly forward so that the fluid can flow freely.
  • Insertion of catheter and drugs. After removing the pus, a catheter is inserted into the sinus, and antiseptic drugs are inserted through it. The catheter may be left in the sinus for several days.

After the procedure, relief occurs almost immediately. Complications include bleeding, which is quickly stopped with ordinary cotton swabs, and puncture of the sinus through, which can cause inflammation of the facial or optic nerve.

Complications of sinusitis and its treatment during pregnancy

Sinusitis is a very serious disease, which, if ignored, can cause life-threatening consequences.

During pregnancy, sinusitis occurs as a complication of acute respiratory viral infection due to reduced immunity and the rapid spread of infection. Treatment of sinusitis in this case does not differ from usual, but only drugs that are safe for the fetus are selected.

A woman should try to minimize the use of vasoconstrictor drugs, as they negatively affect the condition of the placenta. It is best to combat congestion with seawater-based rinsing preparations (Aqua Maris, Otrivin, Aqualor). The drug Aqualor is available in the form of a nasal shower to effectively combat congestion, but in purulent forms of sinusitis, the pressure can aggravate the disease.

Antibiotics are used only in extreme cases as prescribed by a doctor.

In the first trimester, taking antibiotics is undesirable, so the doctor suggests a sinus puncture. During pregnancy, this is sometimes the only way to treat sinusitis, since the disease itself and the drugs affect the fetus. After the puncture, the woman’s temperature drops and her nose begins to breathe. The drugs are administered directly into the sinuses, so they do not enter the bloodstream and do not have a toxic effect on the fetus.

Useful video - Why sinusitis is dangerous:

Both during pregnancy and without it, bilateral sinusitis without treatment is dangerous. It can lead to various undesirable consequences. Complications of sinusitis:

  • Abscess of the orbit. The maxillary sinus is located close to the eye socket, so inflammation can spread to it. The patient begins to have suppuration of the eye, swelling of the eyelids, sensation of a foreign body in the eye, pain when trying to move the eyeballs.
  • Meningitis. One of the most dangerous and undesirable consequences of bilateral sinusitis. Inflammation can be transmitted to the membranes of the brain. Purulent forms of sinusitis are especially dangerous in this regard. Meningitis is accompanied by severe headaches and loss of consciousness. Without medical attention, death is possible.
  • Otitis. Inflammation in the maxillary sinuses can spread to the middle ear, leading to acute otitis media, ear pain and purulent discharge from the auditory canal.

Any complications can be avoided if rhinitis leading to sinusitis is treated in a timely manner and if alarming signs appear, consult a doctor.

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The medical information published on this page is strictly not recommended for self-medication. If you feel negative changes in your health, immediately contact an ENT specialist. All articles published on our resource are for informational purposes only. If you use this material or a fragment of it on your website, an active link to the source is required.

Features of the treatment of bilateral sinusitis

Bilateral sinusitis is one of the most common and serious diseases. Improper treatment of this disease can lead to it becoming chronic. This disease can also affect children. In order to correctly diagnose and correctly prescribe treatment, you need to consult a doctor. What symptoms accompany bilateral sinusitis?

Symptoms

If sinusitis begins to develop in two sinuses at once, then the disease is quite severe.

  1. Body temperature rises above 38 degrees.
  2. The nose is constantly stuffy.
  3. There is an unpleasant odor from the mouth.
  4. First, small purulent discharge from the nose appears, then this discharge becomes thick and yellow.

Depending on what forms of sinusitis occur, the symptoms depend. If the inflammation is catarrhal or serous, then all manifestations will not bother you much. Usually breathing is difficult, pain appears in the area of ​​​​the bridge of the nose and forehead. There is copious discharge from the nose. When purulent bilateral sinusitis develops, the nose becomes clogged with mucus, so bacteria develop very quickly and pus is formed. During this period of time the following symptoms appear:

  • chills, fever, high temperature;
  • weakness, loss of strength;
  • headache.

How to cure a runny nose quickly with folk remedies is indicated in the article.

In the video - bilateral sinusitis:

If a purulent process has occurred, then the patient is not so worried about the lack of normal breathing. More serious processes will begin if this type of sinusitis is not treated. Otitis media, meningitis and a number of other diseases may appear.

A person with chronic sinusitis will not feel any very strong changes. A stuffy nose and fairly thick discharge will bother you. The sense of smell also disappears, and this, in turn, makes it difficult for the brain to function. As a result, a person gets tired quite quickly.

It is worth noting that preschoolers practically do not suffer from this disease. Sinusitis often occurs after 10 years. If inflammation is not treated well at this age, it will lead to negative consequences.

  1. Acute form - manifests itself as a result of the penetration of bacteria or infections into the sinuses, the ducts of the maxillary sinuses are clogged.
  2. Chronic form - usually occurs if the acute form is not treated. But it can also occur if there are other foci of infection nearby, for example, in the oral cavity.

Depending on what form of inflammation occurs, the following types are distinguished:

  1. Catarrhal type is the mildest type of bilateral sinusitis. With this form, only the upper layers of the mucosa are affected as a result of a viral infection. Edema occurs, but manifests itself insignificantly. There is discharge from the nose that is odorless and colorless.
  2. Serous or exudative - in this case, the production of a large amount of serous fluid begins, and mucous discharge is formed. But as a result of the outflow of mucus from the nose being disrupted, bacterial infections begin to occur, resulting in the formation of ulcers.
  3. The purulent form is already a complicated form of catarrhal or serous process. In this case, the patient suffers from more complicated symptoms. The mucus that comes out of the nose becomes viscous and the smell becomes unpleasant. It is purulent bilateral sinusitis that occurs more often than others. Pain in the bridge of the nose interferes with sleep, discomfort is felt, and the temperature can often be elevated. The main thing is that the first symptoms are very similar to a cold. In this regard, people do not go to see an otolaryngologist, which leads to serious consequences. How to treat purulent sinusitis without a puncture is indicated in the article.

Video shows treatment of bilateral sinusitis in a child:

There is the International Classification of Diseases, or ICD 10 for short. This document records all pathogens, classification and cause of death. Each disease carries with it a specific ICD code. Acute sinusitis has code J01.0. This species belongs to acute respiratory diseases. But chronic sinusitis has a different code - J32.0.

What folk remedies for a runny nose during pregnancy are most often used is indicated in the article.

How a runny nose is treated with folk remedies at home is indicated here: http://prolor.ru/n/lechenie-n/narodnye-recepty-ot-nasmorka.html

It is known that sinusitis can be caused by various pathogens. In this regard, additional code is used. B95 is the causative agent of the disease, streptococcus or staphylococcus. B96 – other bacteria, B97 – viruses that caused the disease.

The photo shows bilateral sinusitis:

Treatment

The most important thing in treatment is to remove pathogenic microflora. 90% of cases are accompanied by the development of the disease against the background of a bacterial infection. In order to accurately determine the pathogen, it is necessary to take the secreted mucus for research. Drug treatment mainly consists of the following drugs:

  1. Drops that constrict blood vessels. Due to their use, the swelling of the mucous membrane is reduced, which means that the passages are no longer clogged and the person can breathe. Such drops can be used for no more than 5 days, because in the future they will cause a habit, and then the nose will not be able to breathe without their help.
  2. Rinsing the nose - this procedure is quite important. Due to the solutions used, mucus is better removed, and pathogenic microflora is destroyed. Washing can be done both in the clinic and at home. At home, you can use saline solution, herbal decoction, drugs that are sold in pharmacies such as Rotokan, Chlorophyllipt. Washing is done frequently; at least 4 procedures must be done per day.
  3. Use of anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs contain antibacterial components. Such drops include Pinosol, Sinuforte. And Sinupret can be used internally.
  4. Antibiotics. It is very difficult to treat sinusitis without them. Cephalexin, Macropen are prescribed for various forms of sinusitis. The most important thing is to take courses of antibiotics to treat sinusitis. You need to drink them to the end, otherwise you may not achieve a complete cure.
  5. Antihistamines. Such drugs are usually prescribed to children. Swelling is relieved and breathing improves. You can take such drugs in case of allergies.
  6. Warming up. It is used when accumulations of pus have been removed.

It is worth considering that it can be used if there is no severe pain when pressing on certain areas of the face and the body temperature is not elevated. How warming occurs during sinusitis with salt is indicated in the article.

If all these types of conservative treatment do not help alleviate the condition, then a procedure such as a puncture is used. The nasal area is numbed and the area between the sinus and nasal passage is pierced - through the bony septum. The entire puncture area is washed with an antiseptic, excess mucus is removed, and the medicine is injected into the sinus area.

Folk remedies

Traditional methods are used as additional measures to the main treatment:

  1. Inhalations. Potatoes will help with this. You need to take 1 kg of potatoes, but do not peel them. When the potatoes are cooked, you need to drain the water and breathe in the steam. It is necessary to cover the top with a towel so that the potato vapors do not escape quickly. The procedure time is not limited: it all depends on the person’s abilities. After completing the procedure, you need to lie on the bed without a pillow and tilt your head back. Place onion solution in your nose. You need to prepare it as follows: squeeze 15 drops of onion juice and mix them with 15 drops of alcohol, 96% concentration. Place 2 drops into each nasal passage. At first this procedure will cause a strong burning sensation, but after 20 seconds everything will go away. It is best to do this procedure at night. By morning all symptoms will go away.
  2. Eggs and garlic. You need to boil 1 hard-boiled egg. Now you need to warm up your sinuses. Instead of eggs, you can use salt, heated in a frying pan and wrapped in canvas paper. After warming up, rub the garlic over the skin over the area where the inflammation is located. Then you need to rub in a mixture of burdock root and birch coals. The procedure lasts 30 minutes. You can achieve a worthwhile effect after 2-3 procedures.
  3. Oil and herb. You will need 100 g of olive oil, you can also take sunflower oil, 1 tbsp. l. chopped wild rosemary. After mixing these components, place them in a dark place for 3 weeks, remembering to periodically stir the composition. Then you need to strain the solution, ridding it of wild rosemary impurities. You can put this oil in your nose. The first time you need to drop 2-3 drops into each passage, subsequent times - 1 drop 4 times a day. The course lasts one week. Acute sinusitis, or rather a runny nose, will pass within this period of time, but chronic sinusitis must be treated for 2 weeks.
  4. Tomato tops. You need to take the tops of dried tomatoes, fill them with water and boil. This solution should be used for inhalation. Covering yourself with a blanket, you need to inhale through your right and left nostrils and your mouth alternately. Sessions must be carried out over 10 days. The effect will not be long in coming. It is better not to undergo this procedure for young children.
  5. Star balm. You need to boil 5 or 6 liters of water, add 1 tbsp to the container. l. soda and a little star balm. If there is none, then you can buy liquid for inhalation at the pharmacy. It wouldn’t hurt to add 2 tbsp. l. vodka or alcohol. You need to breathe this solution for 20 minutes. At first it is better to breathe through your mouth to get used to it, it will take about 10 minutes. Then you can breathe through your nose, so the nasal passages and nasopharynx will warm up. The next step is washing. You need to prepare the following solution: pour 25 drops of pharmaceutical propolis, ½ tsp. into 200 ml of boiled water. salt and 1 tsp. soda. You need to rinse your nose with this solution using a syringe, but without a needle, or a special syringe. After these procedures, you need to drip your nose with a solution of oil, which must be prepared 10 days before the start of the procedures. Mix 200 g olive oil with 1 tbsp. l. dry mint, 20 g propolis. Leave the oil to infuse for 10 days, and then strain. You need to add 1-2 drops into each passage. Complete this entire complex for 10 days.

The video explains whether it is worth agreeing to the protocol for bilateral sinusitis:

Features of treatment in children

Children most often develop a chronic form of the disease due to the structure of the nose.

When treating, it is best to use sprays and aerosols rather than drops, since the spray is evenly distributed in the nasal cavity. When using antibiotics, you first need to do a test to see how your child reacts to them.

This will help avoid side effects and wasted time. Of course, a treatment method such as puncture is used only in the most extreme cases. When choosing traditional methods of treatment, also pay attention to the composition of the products. The child can also undergo acupressure and breathing exercises.

Treatment of 2-sided sinusitis

The most common of all sinusitis is inflammation of the maxillary sinus. Many people suffer from sinusitis, but for some it is bilateral. What is the essence of the disease, why does it develop, how does it manifest itself and is treated - these questions should be answered.

Causes and mechanisms

Although bilateral sinusitis is less common than inflammation of one sinus, due to the greater prevalence of the process, it requires extremely careful attention. The mucous membrane of the maxillary sinus is affected mainly by bacterial flora - staphylo- and streptococci, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella, and anaerobes. But sinusitis can also be caused by viruses and fungi. And nosocomial cases can be provoked by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

In addition to pathogenic agents that enter from the outside, there are already a lot of microbes in the nasal cavity that are opportunistic. And for their reproduction certain conditions are required. Reduced activity of local protection, hypothermia, additional damage to the mucous membrane are important factors in the development of sinusitis. But the leading link in this process is blockage of the sinus outlet and defects in mucociliary clearance. This disrupts natural drainage and provokes stagnation of the secretion, in which microbes begin to multiply.

Acute inflammation of the maxillary sinus can become chronic. This transformation is facilitated by a complex of external and internal factors. The former include frequent colds, smoking, occupational hazards, and the latter are represented by individual characteristics:

  • Adenoiditis.
  • Nasal polyps.
  • Deviation of the septum.
  • Hypertrophy of the nasal concha.

And if structural disorders are localized in both nasal passages, then sinusitis will be bilateral. It is impossible not to mention the influence of dental problems, because the roots of the upper row of teeth are adjacent to the wall of the maxillary sinus. Given the variety of predisposing factors and causes, each case must be subject to careful differential analysis.

The cause of bilateral sinusitis is microbial flora (mainly bacterial), which affects the mucous membrane of the sinuses against the background of concomitant disorders.

Symptoms

Manifestations of the disease are determined by its clinical form. Acute inflammation begins with increased body temperature, malaise, and headache. These are general signs of sinusitis, and local symptoms include:

  • Nasal congestion.
  • Decreased sense of smell.
  • Mucopurulent discharge.
  • Feeling of heaviness and pain in the upper jaw.

The latter intensify when the head is tilted forward. During examination and palpation, you may notice some swelling on the sides of the nose (reactive), but with purulent complications it will be more pronounced. Against the background of difficulty in nasal breathing, there is dryness of the mucous membrane of the pharynx and oral cavity, and sometimes even stuffy ears and hearing impairment (the result of swelling of the mouths of the Eustachian tubes).

During remission, chronic 2-sided sinusitis manifests itself very sparingly, since the body partly gets used to constant inflammation. The general condition is quite satisfactory, so patients rarely seek medical help. But the exacerbation of the process makes itself felt with fever, increased purulent discharge, and the appearance of headaches.

On examination, the mucous membrane in the area of ​​the middle turbinate is swollen and reddened, covered with a yellowish-green discharge that drains from the mouths of the maxillary sinuses. In addition to inflammatory changes, one can notice accompanying structural disorders (deviated septum, hypertrophy of conchae, adenoids, etc.). But it is not ordinary rhinoscopy that is more informative, but endoscopic examination of the maxillary sinuses.

Additional diagnostics

To confirm inflammation in both maxillary sinuses and establish its cause, it is necessary to use additional methods. The diagnostic process most often includes the following procedures:

  • Complete blood count (leukocytes, ESR).
  • Analysis of discharge (microscopy, culture, PCR).
  • Radiography.
  • CT scan.
  • Endoscopy.
  • Puncture.

These are the main measures necessary to verify the inflammatory process. They are reflected in international recommendations and regional standards. Visual assessment of the condition of the maxillary sinuses in combination with analysis of pathological exudate is the basis of the final diagnosis.

Diagnosis of sinusitis cannot be done without additional laboratory and instrumental methods.

Treatment

Since the inflammation is localized in the sinuses on both sides, it should be treated more intensively. But there will be no fundamental differences from traditional therapy for sinusitis - the same techniques are used. They are aimed at eliminating the purulent focus, restoring the aeration of the sinuses and the function of the ciliated epithelium.

Conservative

The basis of treatment for sinusitis is the use of medications. They are used in the form of local forms (drops, sprays, rinsing solutions) and systemically (tablets, injections). The doctor has the following medications in his arsenal:

  • Antiseptics (Hexoral, Dimexide, furatsilin).
  • Antibacterial (Bioparox, chlorophyllipt, Augmentin, Suprax, Sumamed).
  • Vasoconstrictors (Otrivin, Noxprey, Pinosol).
  • Secretolytics (Sinupret, Rinofluimucil).
  • Antihistamines (Suprastin, Loratadine).
  • Glucocorticoids (dexamethasone, hydrocortisone).

Acute inflammation with intoxication requires the use of systemic antibiotics, taking into account the sensitivity of the pathogen to them. Pus from the sinuses is sucked out using Proetz procedures or using a special YAMIK catheter. If this does not give the expected result, then a puncture is performed with further washing of the cavity with antiseptics and antibiotics. And after the acute process subsides, physiotherapy is recommended for the area of ​​the affected sinuses (electric and phonophoresis, UHF, UV irradiation, ozokerite applications).

Surgical

In addition to puncture drainage of the maxillary sinuses, treatment of sinusitis may include more radical methods. If purulent discharge during chronic inflammation persists after washing, then the issue of surgical sanitation is resolved. Access to the sinuses is through the nose (endonasally) or through the open route. The first method is minimally traumatic and involves the use of rigid endoscopes and microinstruments. But the most common is still considered radical surgery using the Caldwell-Luc method (trepanation of the maxillary sinus). After the operation, drug support is provided according to standard regimens.

Both unilateral and bilateral sinusitis is an inflammation of the maxillary sinuses. It is caused by various microbes, but mainly by bacteria, and additional factors that facilitate the development of the disease are structural and functional disorders in the nasal cavity. The diagnosis is made based on the clinical picture and the results of additional research. And treatment involves an integrated approach to eliminating the pathological process.

Bilateral sinusitis is a disease that is localized in two paranasal sinuses at once. This type of sinusitis is characterized by the presence of more vivid and unpleasant symptoms. In our article we will analyze the causes of this disease and how to treat it.

Reasons for appearance

In most cases, bilateral rhinosinusitis is a complication after a unilateral disease. Both adults and children are affected by the disease. Doctors identify a number of factors that serve as the root causes of this type of disease:

  • Presence of adenoids.
  • Rhinitis in acute form.
  • Chronic rhinitis.
  • Diseases of ENT organs that were not treated in a timely manner.
  • Deformation of the nasal septum (congenital or due to trauma to the nose).
  • Infection with various viruses.
  • Dental diseases.

Symptoms

The bilateral type of sinusitis is diagnosed quite rarely. It is characterized by bright and severe symptoms that worry for a long time. In some cases, the illness can last about two months. What symptoms will help you understand that the disease has acquired bilateral localization?

The first thing you should pay attention to is constant pain in the head, which becomes especially intense with the onset of evening or when you turn your head. Severe pain is located in the sinuses and temples. Each nostril is blocked, causing difficulty in breathing through the nose.

In addition, the patient may complain of nasal discharge. They are colorless and quite liquid. The amount of discharge is very abundant. The voice may change, it becomes more nasal. When palpating the sinuses located above the upper jaw, acute pain may be felt.

Diagnosis of the disease

Treatment and diagnosis of the disease should occur in the office of a qualified specialist, regardless of what form of the disease is suspected in the patient.

Based on this, do not forget that as soon as you feel the first symptoms of the disease, go to the clinic.

Before prescribing the correct treatment, the doctor performs diagnostic procedures that will help establish an accurate diagnosis.

Diagnosis consists of standard steps and is not very different from the diagnosis of other diseases in the nasopharynx. First, an oral interview with the patient and a visual examination of the problem area are carried out. Then, additional procedures may be needed: x-rays, ultrasound, computed tomography.

Treatment

Based on the data obtained as a result of diagnostic procedures, a plan for the most optimal and effective therapy is drawn up.

In most cases, treatment consists of prescribing medications in combination with some physiotherapeutic procedures.

Drug therapy most often consists of the use of drugs such as:

  1. Means for constricting blood vessels. They have a local effect and allow you to quickly relieve swelling in the mucous membranes. The most popular are Otrivin, Sanorin and Vibrocil.
  2. Antipyretics. Such medications not only normalize the patient’s body temperature, but also relieve painful symptoms.

Physiotherapy procedures include:

  • Electrophoresis.
  • Warming up.

If traditional therapy does not produce positive results, then the question of surgical operation arises.

Antibiotics

Doctors may prescribe antibacterial drugs if other medications do not have the desired effect: they do not relieve symptoms or eliminate the causative agent of the disease.

Let us remind you that you cannot prescribe antibiotics yourself - this should be done by your doctor. If the selection of medications is carried out incorrectly, there is a risk of developing dangerous complications.

The selection of antimicrobial agents occurs after a complete and thorough diagnosis, which helps to determine the root cause of the disease. The main goal of such treatment is to eliminate the source of the disease. In most cases, the following medications are prescribed:

  • Axetil;
  • Trimethoprim;
  • Clavulanate and others.

Do not forget that it is important to monitor the timing of antibiotics. The duration of the effect of such drugs on the body should not exceed two weeks from the moment you start taking them.

In another situation, problems with the gastrointestinal tract may appear, since antibiotics have a detrimental effect on the intestinal microflora. Experienced specialists immediately prescribe medications that help preserve the microflora.

If therapy with antibacterial drugs cannot be completed effectively, more stringent and radical methods of therapy have to be used - surgical operations.

Surgical interventions

If the patient does not seek medical help in a timely manner and rhinosinusitis enters a severe advanced stage, or in situations where medications do not help improve the situation, they resort to a sinus puncture procedure.

During such a puncture, interaction occurs with the frontal and maxillary sinuses. This technique allows you to reduce the excess pressure that falls on this type of sinuses. A puncture can eliminate problems with the functioning of mucus outflow and eliminate purulent deposits.

However, there are also situations when a puncture does not lead to any positive results. Then they prescribe procedures for washing the nasal passages using solutions that contain antibiotics.

Such activities are carried out in a hospital setting. Self-medication in such situations can only aggravate the situation, therefore it is absolutely contraindicated.

Complications

If you do not consult a doctor in time or do not follow the treatment rules that he prescribes for you, the disease can develop into more complex and acute illnesses:

  • Meningitis.
  • Encephalitis.
  • Inflammation of the eyes with pus.
  • Otitis media is purulent.
  • Thrombosis.

You need to be attentive to your own health and listen to your body. If you feel frequent headaches or your body temperature has risen suddenly and high, then consult a doctor. There is a chance that you will be diagnosed with acute rhinosinusitis.

Traditional methods

The use of traditional medicine methods will be appropriate only in the early stages of the development of the disease. Only then will such simple recipes be able to bring any effect.

In addition, do not forget that such techniques are not alternative and can only become auxiliary measures that are added to typical therapy. Therefore, be sure to visit a doctor. If you are, then you should not self-medicate at all.

Among the most effective recipes that can be used at home are the following:

  1. Steamed inhalations from potatoes. Boil the potatoes and drain all the water. Cover yourself with a towel and breathe in the steam that comes out of the freshly cooked tubers. The duration of this procedure is about 20 minutes.
  2. Warming with eggs. Boil an egg hard and wrap it in a cloth. This compress is applied to the inflamed sinuses.
  3. To reduce painful symptoms, compresses are used. They can serve as cakes made from honey and flour.
  4. You can make nasal drops yourself; they, of course, will not act as effectively as pharmacy ones, but they can help if the latter were not at hand. Drops can be made from aloe or onion juice. To enhance the effect of this remedy, you can add honey or fresh beet juice to it.
  5. You can make garlic drops. This recipe will appeal only to those people who are not bothered by their specific smell. To make the drug, squeeze out a couple of drops of garlic and mix them with olive or vegetable oil. If the solution turns out to be too thick, apply it to your nose with a cotton swab. If the product is quite liquid, then drop it in using a pipette.
  6. Washing at home can be done using Dead Sea salt or decoctions of various medicinal herbs. However, you should be extremely careful, as there is a risk of performing the procedure incorrectly, which will entail many troubles, including complications.

Preventive measures

It is almost impossible to completely protect yourself and your child from the occurrence of sinusitis, which will manifest itself in each of the sinuses. However, you can reduce the chances that rhinosinusitis will develop. To do this, you need to adhere to a number of simple rules. It is worth remembering that the outcome of the entire situation depends on the quality of their compliance.

It is important to monitor your own health and monitor the state of the body’s protective functions. Do not overcool or be in drafts. Always dress for the weather and don’t rush to take off your clothes in the spring.

It is very useful to start hardening with a contrast shower. This makes it possible to extremely quickly and efficiently increase your body’s resistance to environmental factors.

If you notice that rhinosinusitis appears very often, then there is a possibility that the reason for its formation lies in the anatomical problems of your body. This could be a deviated nasal septum or other problems of this nature.

In this situation, treatment will take place in the surgeon's office. In other cases, you need to contact an ENT specialist, who will conduct a thorough diagnosis and draw up an effective treatment plan. If you strictly adhere to all the rules and carefully treat the disease, it will recede quickly and will not visit you again. Be healthy.