How does Dr. Komarovsky recommend treating sinusitis? Doctor Komarovsky E.O. about the treatment of sinusitis in children

Rhinitis and sinusitis

According to Dr. Komarovsky, there is a big difference between ordinary rhinitis (runny nose) and sinusitis.
However, at the same time, he claims that there cannot be a runny nose without sinusitis. After all, when a virus that causes a runny nose (ARVI) enters the human body, including a child (starting from 3-5 years old), along with the air, it cannot get exclusively on the nasal mucosa, it also gets on the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinuses. sinuses As a result, inflammation occurs in the sinuses and mucus begins to be produced there. Thus, if you take an x-ray of the maxillary sinuses of a child in the first few days of any viral infection, exudate will certainly be visible there. According to Dr. Komarovsky, this is an absolutely normal process and an absolutely natural reaction of the body, since mucus contains the protein mucin, which has bactericidal properties and helps fight infections. With effective treatment of ARVI, as inflammation of the nasal mucosa decreases, inflammation of the maxillary sinus also disappears. Komarovsky emphasizes that in this case we are talking about viral sinusitis. This form of the disease does not require special treatment.

How and how to treat sinusitis in children

Therapy for sinusitis, regardless of what age group the child belongs to, should be comprehensive and used under the strict supervision of a pediatric otolaryngologist.

Antibiotics - which ones are effective and safe?

Each antibiotic not only provides benefits due to its pharmacological properties, but also causes the death of beneficial intestinal microflora

Therefore, children are prescribed this category of medications with caution and only in extreme cases. The following antibiotics are the most effective for combating sinusitis and at the same time safe:

Erythromycin;
Biseptol;
Amoxicillin;
Sumamed;
Amoxilav;
Bicillin;
Azithromycin.

These drugs are prescribed in the form of tablets and intramuscular injections. It all depends on how severe the development of the disease is, whether sinusitis occurs in a chronic or acute form.

Folk remedies at home?

Traditional treatment of sinusitis in children is not welcomed by official medicine, but despite this, the following fairly effective methods of therapy exist:

anti-inflammatory nasal drops, which are obtained by grinding aloe or Kalanchoe leaves, then squeezing the pulp and obtaining juice (this medicinal liquid is instilled 2 times a day, 1 drop in each nostril for 5 days);
warming the maxillary sinuses with dry heat (pour 3 tablespoons of table salt into a clean handkerchief, tie it and heat it in a frying pan or radiator, and then press it against the area of inflammation);
lubricating the cavity of the nasal canals, as well as the surface of the face in the area of the wings of the nose with essential oil of eucalyptus or sea buckthorn;
pinpoint passage of the maxillary sinuses to improve local blood circulation and stimulate the natural outflow of purulent exudate from the sinus cavity;
rinsing the nose with a saline or manganese solution (1 teaspoon of salt or 2 crystals of potassium permanganate is thrown into 1 liter of water, the components are thoroughly dissolved and the antiseptic liquid is drawn in alternately through each nostril, and when it is blown, mucus, pus and waste solution come out) .

It is recommended, instead of tea, to give the child anti-inflammatory decoctions of chamomile, plantain, thyme, coltsfoot, so that the effect on the inflamed area of nasopharyngeal tissue is not only local due to external contact, but also through the bloodstream.

Doctor Komarovsky's method for sinusitis in a child

The famous pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky believes that treatment of sinusitis in children of all age groups should begin from the first days of the disease. It is imperative to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis of the body, establish which microbes are in the cavity of the maxillary sinus, and only then begin selecting an antibiotic

In parallel with this, it is very important to harden the body. Komarovsky is sure that it is impossible to get rid of sinusitis if a child has a weak immune system, so it needs to be strengthened from an early age. To begin with, wiping the body with a damp towel is suitable, then you need to practice a contrast shower and dousing

A mandatory physiotherapeutic procedure is rinsing the nose with saline solution. Even if sinusitis is purulent, then an antiseptic solution can wash away most of the exudate and cure the disease in the shortest possible period of time

To begin with, wiping the body with a damp towel is suitable, then you need to practice a contrast shower and dousing. A mandatory physiotherapeutic procedure is rinsing the nose with saline solution. Even if sinusitis is purulent, an antiseptic solution can wash away most of the exudate and cure the disease in the shortest possible period of time.

How to treat sinusitis - advice from Dr. Komarovsky

Before treating a pathology, it is necessary to determine its origin.
Most often, doctors prescribe antibacterial therapy. However, doctor Komarovsky does not recommend the uncontrolled use of antibiotics. If a child has viral sinusitis, the use of antibacterial drugs will only cause harm. Thus, treatment is selected depending on the clinical picture. The reason for the use of potent drugs is prolonged rhinitis, which is accompanied by pain in the paranasal sinuses.

If the doctor has detected purulent sinusitis in the child, the use of antibiotics is the only effective method of treatment. To reduce swelling of the mucous membranes, dissolve thick secretions and normalize nasal breathing, vasoconstrictor drugs are used.

In addition to such products, it is recommended to perform rinses with saline solutions. At the pharmacy you can buy drugs such as Aqualor, Aquamaris, Physiomer. However, Dr. Komarovsky claims that such remedies can be made independently. To do this, just mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 1 liter of water.

Dr. Komarovsky notes that today it is more advisable to use antibacterial drugs in tablet form. Therefore, injections are not usually prescribed. This allows you to treat your baby on an outpatient basis.

A feature of the therapy is that to successfully combat pathogenic bacteria, a sufficient concentration of the antibiotic is required not only in the blood, but also in the paranasal sinuses. Therefore, the patient has to be prescribed a high dosage of the drug. The duration of the course of therapy should also be quite long. Usually it is 10-14 days.

At the same time, it is very important not to refuse treatment when you feel better. Otherwise, there is a high risk of exacerbation of an incompletely cured pathology. As a result, the process can become chronic.

Causes of the disease

According to Dr. Komarovsky, sinusitis develops as a result of poorly treated nasopharyngeal infections. Pathogenic microorganisms penetrate the nasal sinuses and cause an inflammatory process. The main causes of sinusitis in childhood include:

frequent respiratory diseases;
polyps in the nasopharynx;
congenital or acquired curvature of the nasal septum;
long-term allergies.

In childhood, all these diseases occur quite often. In this case, breathing through the nose is too impaired, mucous secretions stagnate in the nasal passages, and if an infection occurs, then pus is added. Within a few days, the infection spreads further; in addition to sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, frontal sinusitis and other pathologies of the nasopharynx may occur. Even pneumonia can be a complication.

Symptoms and treatment of sinusitis in children according to Komarovsky

Pathologies such as nasopharyngeal polyposis, adenoiditis and a deviated nasal septum also cause the maxillary sinuses to suffer. In children, all these diseases are quite common. With them, nasal breathing is severely impaired, mucus in the nasal passages stagnates (and sometimes pus) and the inflammation spreads further. In addition to sinusitis, in such cases there are: frontal sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis and pathologies of the lower respiratory tract (even pneumonia).

Young children's immunity is still very weak. If you do not strengthen it (for example, destroy it by preferring artificial feeding to breastfeeding, walking a little - less than three hours a day, etc.), then the likelihood of disease increases significantly.

Also, a child’s long-term allergies can become a harbinger (more precisely, the cause) of inflammation. Dr. Komarovsky believes that it should be treated only after the influence of the allergen on the child has ceased. Otherwise, the treatment will be useless.

Sinusitis in a child usually manifests itself with the main characteristic symptoms:

temperature increase;
moodiness;
malaise;
poor appetite;
pain in the cheek area (near the nose), especially when bending forward or lying down (these are the main symptoms, according to Dr. Komarovsky).

The following symptoms are also observed: headaches, ears may become blocked, and the voice becomes nasal. The nose is also stuffy, a runny nose is manifested by discharge of either a mucous or purulent (yellowish-greenish color) nature.

Factors influencing

The factors influencing the development of inflammation of the paranasal sinuses in children under 12 years of age are approximately the same. These include weak immunity, frequent colds, and chronic diseases of the respiratory system.

Another factor influencing the occurrence of such pathologies is psychological. Stress, a nervous environment, improper daily routine and work (study) schedule negatively affect health and negate any treatment. There are cases when not a single medicine helps, but a sharp change in the situation and the cessation of stress factors suddenly contribute to a very rapid cure for children.

Diagnostics

Computed tomography can reveal the presence of cysts, polyps, and deviated septum of the nasal cavity in a child. A blood test will help determine the degree of inflammation by the number of leukocytes, and the presence of allergies by the number of eosinophils.

Dr. Komarovsky insists: the main thing is not to try to diagnose the pathology yourself, studying only the symptoms visible to parents. This is dangerous and leads to serious consequences.

A professional doctor will not only make a diagnosis, but also prescribe the only correct treatment.

Treatment methods

Dr. Komarovsky advises not to start treatment until the doctor conducts a full examination. Surgery may be needed. A puncture is often prescribed.

Don’t forget about vitamin therapy and boosting immunity. But this cannot cure inflammation. Nasal instillations are usually prescribed with sea buckthorn oil or special sprays.

Video “Sinusitis according to Komarovsky”

The famous children's pediatrician Evgeniy Komarovsky talks about the characteristics, treatment and course of sinusitis in young patients.

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Treatment methods

On the Internet you can find many folk recipes for the treatment of sinusitis. Moreover, even if the mother does not go on the Internet to look for a panacea, then a neighbor, grandmother, or friend will most likely helpfully suggest another “effective method”. Evgeny Komarovsky urges parents to refrain from treating sinusitis with folk remedies.

The viral form of the disease cannot be treated either with medications or folk remedies. But it is simply dangerous to treat bacterial infections by instilling onion juice and compresses with honey. The doctor warns that any heating of purulent sinusitis, any warming compresses contribute to even more severe inflammation, since bacteria multiply many times faster in a warm environment.

Komarovsky also considers common advice to breathe over hot milk or herbal decoctions during this disease to be quite dangerous. The fact is that the effectiveness of inhaling steam for inflammation of the maxillary sinuses is minimal, and the risk of getting burns to the respiratory tract is very high.

Dr. Komarovsky advises not to start treatment until the doctor conducts a full examination. Surgery may be needed. A puncture is often prescribed.

But for mild to moderate illness, drug therapy can be used. Firstly, vasoconstrictor drugs are prescribed (but preferably only for children over two years old). It is important to rinse the nasal cavity with saline solutions (Aqua Maris, etc.). Treatment with products for internal use is by prescription only. If you have a fever, you can give Nurofen (or Viferon suppositories for children under two to three years old).

Don’t forget about vitamin therapy and boosting immunity. But this cannot cure inflammation. Nasal instillations are usually prescribed with sea buckthorn oil or special sprays.

Another treatment method is folk remedies. But it’s better not to take risks, especially in a child under five years old, says Dr. Komarovsky, since the maxillary sinuses are connected to the teeth, the frontal sinus, and possible pathologies of the orbits and meninges. Treatment of sinusitis is a complex, lengthy procedure.

There are a large number of traditional methods for treating inflammation of the maxillary sinuses, which are used in addition to drug treatment. The most popular among them:

rinsing with salted water and various herbal decoctions;
instillation into the nose of drops prepared from various oils and juices of plants and vegetables;
nasal pads soaked in medicinal solutions;
compresses;
inhalations based on oils or herbal decoctions;
warming the nose with eggs, salt or buckwheat.

Some of the traditional medicine recipes actually have a positive effect and help speed up recovery, however, they can only be used after consultation with your doctor. Thus, Dr. Komarovsky emphasizes that under no circumstances should one warm the nose during purulent sinusitis, as this can be fraught with serious consequences (breakthrough of purulent masses).

Sinusitis in children: symptoms and treatment

Signs of sinusitis in a child

The first signs of sinusitis in children are not immediately detected. Typical symptoms appear when the disease is already in full swing. Diagnostically significant manifestations of the disease are the following symptoms:

A feeling of pain or tension in the area of the nasolabial fold, the facial bone under the eye, which occurs with light pressure, tilting the head and decreases when lying down;
Swelling of the cheek, lower eyelid;
Toothache;
Nasal congestion, often one-sided;
Mucous or purulent-mucous filling of the nasal passages (but there may not be any discharge from the nose);
Temperature rise, sometimes significant (up to 39°C);
Tearfulness, sometimes inflammation of the eyelids;
Deterioration in general health – lethargy, drowsiness, headache.

Depending on the age of the child, certain symptoms may be absent. Each age group is characterized by its own distinctive symptoms of the disease.

How to recognize sinusitis in a child 3 - 5 years old

Sinusitis in a 3-year-old child is a rare occurrence. The primary diagnosis of sinusitis in children aged 3 to 5 years is difficult, since the symptoms of sinusitis in children of this age group are blurred and dim. They are easily confused with the consequences of acute respiratory viral infections or acute respiratory infections. Signs of sinusitis at this age are as follows:

Deterioration in health, the child becomes lethargic;
Refusal to eat (due to pain, unpleasant pressure in the affected sinus);
Nasal breathing problems;
Sometimes, swelling of the cheek and swelling of the upper or lower eyelid;
Heat;
Copious mucus or purulent discharge from the nose (there may be no discharge, however, the child feels as if the nasal passages are full.

How to determine sinusitis in a child from 5 to 12 years old

Signs of sinusitis in children of this age group are easy to determine at home. Sinusitis in children of this group manifests itself in the following, pronounced symptoms:

Main symptoms include: a feeling of tension or pain in the affected sinus. The pain is usually diffuse. It can also be localized in the forehead or temple area and occurs at the same time of day;
Nasal breathing problems;
Runny nose;
Impaired sense of smell on the affected side;
Photophobia and lacrimation;
High temperature, maybe chills;
Sometimes swelling of the cheek and swelling of the upper or lower eyelid;
Mucous or mucopurulent filling of the middle nasal canal (the junction between the sinuses and the nasal cavity);
Palpation of the anterior wall of the sinus usually causes pain.

How to cure sinusitis in a child

Almost always, antibiotics are indicated for sinusitis: if it is microbial in nature, they eliminate the main source of the disease, and if it is viral or fungal, they do not allow complications. It is good if antibiotics are prescribed after bacterial culture of nasal discharge, when the doctor can accurately determine what the pathogen responds to best. But in severe cases, there is usually no time for laboratory diagnostic methods - medications with broad effects are prescribed.

In addition to treatment with potent substances, other methods are also prescribed:

Vasoconstrictor medications - nasal drops, which are necessary to expand the lumen of the nasal passages - are carried out before all physical procedures;
Physiotherapy - inhalation into the nasal cavity to rinse the passages and soften the crusts;
Nasal rinsing - mechanical washing out of mucus with medicinal solutions or clean water, when using salt water - creating osmosis, drawing fluid from the sinuses;
Hardware procedures – UHF, UFO;
Acupressure – impact on points that activate the full functioning of the respiratory organ (at the wings of the nose, on the bones at the inner corners of the eyes, under the nose);
Symptomatic drugs – antipyretics, analgesics, antihistamines.

A separate point is surgical treatment - puncture of the sinus wall for the purpose of washing the cavity. In children, this method is used extremely rarely, because the procedure is too traumatic for the child (including psychologically), and the result is not guaranteed. Conservative treatment methods are no less effective if carried out carefully and on time.

Symptoms

It is quite simple to understand that a child has sinusitis, says Evgeniy Komarovsky. This disease has quite classic and specific signs and symptoms:

Nasal congestion;
Impaired sense of smell up to complete inability to recognize and smell;
The presence of pain in the area of the maxillary sinuses is mandatory (with obligatory intensification when tilting the head forward);
Weakness, feeling of being “broken”;
Increase in body temperature to 37.5-38.0 degrees;
Headache;
A clear feeling of “pressure”, fullness in the area of the maxillary sinuses;
Enlargement of the cheek on the affected side, facial asymmetry (visually noticeable).

If we are talking about chronic sinusitis (more than three weeks), the symptoms will not be as pronounced, and it will be much more difficult to recognize it.

The protracted and chronic form of the disease is characterized by persistent nasal congestion, nasal discharge is thick and does not respond to conventional treatment, and redness of the mucous membrane of the eyes is possible in the morning after a night's sleep.

In chronic illness, body temperature does not rise.

Allergic sinusitis also has a chronic course and is quite difficult to treat with medication. It has almost all the characteristic symptoms, with the exception of yellow-green nasal discharge.

Prevention

To prevent sinusitis in a child, Komarovsky recommends:

Consult a doctor promptly if you have an acute respiratory viral infection and follow all treatment instructions. Visit the dentist. Regularly ventilate the room and carry out wet cleaning. Provide air humidification both with the help of special devices that can be purchased in the store, and by placing containers of water in the apartment. Limit the number of “dust collectors” in the room. Pay attention to physical education and vocal classes: everything that provides intensive “ventilation” of the facial sinuses and activation of blood circulation stimulates the immune defense of the mucous membranes of the nose and sinuses. Increase the child’s overall immunity (hardening procedures, physical activity, healthy eating).

Komarovsky, speaking about sinusitis, insists that the disease in children and adults requires a professional approach to diagnosis and therapy. A well-known pediatrician and host of the TV show “Doctor Komarovsky’s School” emphasizes that treatment of sinusitis is unacceptable without an in-person consultation with a specialist.

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Sinusitis in childhood manifests itself with different symptoms. Without adequate treatment, inflammation of the maxillary sinuses can develop into a more serious condition - frontal sinusitis. This, in turn, can provoke meningitis or another pathology in which the membranes of the brain become inflamed. All parents should know the symptoms and treatment of sinusitis in children according to Komarovsky. This will help to quickly recognize the disease and avoid serious complications.

Complications

If treatment is not carried out in a timely manner, sinusitis can become chronic and cause complications. Complications include:

chronic form of sinusitis;
tonsillitis;
otitis;
bronchitis and pneumonia;
frontitis.

In addition to problems with the respiratory system, sinusitis can also provoke the occurrence of diseases of the internal organs, in particular such as:

meningitis, encephalitis;
myocarditis;
rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis;
nephritis;
sepsis.

To avoid complications and disruption of internal organs, you need to consult a doctor in a timely manner and follow all his instructions during treatment.

How to treat children?

Komarovsky emphasizes that treatment of sinusitis in children is carried out under the supervision of a pediatrician and ENT specialist. Treatment is carried out only after an accurate diagnosis has been made, most often it is outpatient (carried out at home) and usually includes:

Organization of a special lifestyle. Komarovsky assures that this is the main condition for a successful recovery

It is extremely important for children with sinusitis to be kept in a cool room (temperature no higher than 22°C, and at night - 20°C) with a humidity level of at least 50%. It is extremely important to follow a light diet and sufficient drinking regime (the baby should be offered plain water, tea, compote, etc. more often)

After suppressing the active inflammatory process, doctors may recommend physical therapy treatments. They help to completely stop inflammation and restore mucous membranes.

Puncture and rinsing

Sometimes doctors insist on washing the maxillary sinuses. For this purpose, the sinuses are punctured under local anesthesia. The doctor may inject solutions of antiseptics and antibiotics into the sinus.

Komarovsky argues that it makes sense to perform a puncture with rinsing only for chronic sinusitis, which cannot be treated with standard antibiotics. In this case, the pus obtained from the sinus during puncture is used for bacterial culture - testing for sensitivity to antibiotics.

Also, sometimes it makes sense to rinse the sinuses using the “cuckoo” method - a special disinfectant solution is poured into one nasal passage, while the contents are sucked out from the second. This allows you to wash out the pus and ensure drainage from the maxillary sinuses.

Treatment with antibiotics

Komarovsky is confident that the only possible method of treating bacterial sinusitis in children is the use of antibacterial drugs. Sometimes doctors prescribe such drugs in the form of drops or sprays, but the effectiveness of only local exposure remains questionable. Antibacterial medications cannot ensure complete neutralization of pathogenic microflora, although in mild forms of the disease they accumulate quite well at the site of infection in sufficient concentration. To suppress pathological flora the following can be used:

According to Komarovsky, there is no point in using antibiotics in the form of injections. Tablets and suspensions cope with the task no worse. The doctor is quite skeptical about the use of local drugs.

Komarovsky emphasizes that when using antibiotics, it is very important to complete the course of therapy to the end exactly as recommended by the doctor. If such treatment is completed ahead of time, the bacteria will develop resistance to the drug, and the disease will move on to a new stage.

How to cure with folk remedies?

The advisability of using any alternative medicine in the treatment of sinusitis in children is determined individually by the attending physician. Under no circumstances should you try to cope with the disease yourself by instilling carrot juice, onion infusion, etc. This will only worsen the course of the disease. Komarovsky also categorically prohibits heating and attempts at self-washing (in this case, the Eustachian tube may be damaged, and purulent inflammation may become more pronounced).

After acute inflammation subsides, parents can resort to inhalations:

With sea salt solution.
With infusions of medicinal herbs, for example, calendula, chamomile or sage leaves.

For inhalation, you can use a special device - a nebulizer. You can also arm yourself with a regular saucepan covered with a towel or a porcelain teapot.

It is worth noting that Komarovsky is quite skeptical about hot inhalations for sinusitis. The doctor is confident that such procedures are potentially dangerous due to possible burns to the respiratory tract, and the effect is not very noticeable.

Effective recipes

Among the truly safe methods of alternative therapy for sinusitis, one can highlight the use of drugs that strengthen and activate the immune system:

Komarovsky warns about the dangers of self-medication for sinusitis in children. This disease can lead to the spread of inflammation to the visual and auditory apparatus, and even to the brain.

What is sinusitis

Sinusitis is a type of sinusitis that involves inflammation of the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinuses. In most cases, the disease is a consequence of an untreated runny nose. Due to prolonged nasal congestion, mucus accumulates inside; if no action is taken, pus appears over time.

To understand how the inflammatory process begins, you need to know the structure of the nose. In total, it contains 4 paired cavities or paranasal sinuses: the maxillary, sphenoid, frontal, and ethmoid bones. The main functions of the maxillary sinuses are the formation of breathing, humidification of the air that descends into the lungs, and equalization of pressure within the cranial planes.

When the maxillary sinuses become inflamed, these functions are impaired. A person cannot smell all smells, and the process of voice formation is disrupted. As the inflammatory process progresses, pus is produced.

In addition to severe nasal congestion, swelling of various parts of the face, increased body temperature, and other complications appear, so delaying the treatment of sinusitis is dangerous. According to Dr. Komarovsky, sinusitis often occurs due to staphylococcus and other infections, which become more active when immunity decreases.

Therefore, children have a special need to strengthen the immune system by consuming vitamins and other means. In children under 5 years of age, sinusitis is extremely rare. This is explained by the fact that the maxillary sinuses are fully formed only at this age. Symptoms of the disease in childhood appear rapidly and treatment is required immediately.

Sinusitis: causes, types, symptoms

Sinusitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the mucous membranes of the maxillary sinuses, located in the maxillary bone on both sides of the nose. The maxillary sinuses are finally formed in a person by about 5 years, so Komarovsky speaks of sinusitis in children under 3-4 years of age as an unlikely phenomenon. At the same time, the doctor believes, it is the absence of the maxillary and other sinuses in the facial bones that does not allow the inhaled air to be properly warmed up and cleaned, which contributes to numerous respiratory diseases in early childhood.

The maxillary sinus is connected to the nasal passage by a narrow canal. If mucus clogs this canal during the period of viral (or allergic) rhinitis, then the sinus, according to Komarovsky, turns into a closed capsule, where favorable conditions are created for the proliferation of bacteria. In this case, bacterial sinusitis may develop. According to the observation of a pediatrician, the probability of ordinary viral sinusitis turning into bacterial sinusitis is 2–3%.

It is widely believed that sinusitis is a complication of viral rhinitis, but Dr. Komarovsky insists: as soon as the virus enters the nasal passages, causing the disease, it immediately infects the maxillary sinuses. Therefore, there is no rhinitis without sinusitis.

Other causes of sinusitis in children can be: pneumonia, pulpitis, meningitis, otitis, phlegmon, sepsis.

Types of sinusitis

Summarizing the above information, let's try to systematize it and highlight the main types of the disease.

By etiology (type of pathogen)	By duration	By localization	According to the course of the pathological process
Viral	Spicy	Bilateral	Purulent (exudative)
Bacterial	Chronic	Left-handed	Necrotic (with death of the sinus mucosa)
Allergic	Right-handed	Productive (with the formation of polyps)
Atrophic (with mucosal atrophy)

X-rays for sinusitis, the pediatrician believes, are not informative in terms of differential diagnosis and prescription of adequate therapy. The pictures will show standard darkening, whatever the origin of the mucus in the maxillary sinuses (viral, bacterial, allergic). Therefore, the main diagnostic method is clinical symptoms and a correctly collected anamnesis.

Clinical symptoms

Acute viral sinusitis is accompanied by the usual symptoms of ARVI: fever, weakness, headache, rhinitis (nasal discharge - clear mucus).
After a week, the child’s body, as a rule, copes with the virus, and the main symptoms subside. If facial pain and nasal congestion persist, and the discharge becomes thicker and greenish-yellow in color, then doctors talk about bacterial sinusitis. The temperature can range from normal to very high.
Nasal congestion and insensitivity to smells.
Particular attention should be paid to pain syndrome. Blockage of the maxillary sinuses is indicated by a feeling of discomfort and fullness in the areas of projection of the paranasal sinuses, while the pain - dull and aching - intensifies when lowering the head down. According to Komarovsky, after 3-4 years a child is quite capable of answering questions about his feelings. If speech is not developed, you need to carefully monitor the baby’s reaction when tilting his face down.
Swelling of the cheeks and infraorbital areas, which is caused by impaired drainage of fluid in the tissues. If the process is one-sided, then facial asymmetry will be expressed.
It is necessary to differentiate between allergic and viral sinusitis, since in both cases the nasal discharge is clear, the pain is similar and an increase in temperature is possible. It is necessary to take into account the season of the year (the flowering period of some plants), the child’s contact with substances, medications, objects, animals with which he has not previously interacted.

Diagnostics

To make a diagnosis, the doctor uses the following diagnostic measures:

examination of the nasal cavity;
radiography of the paranasal sinuses;
endoscopy of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses;
CT and MRI;
bacteriological examination of the contents of the paranasal sinuses.

How to treat sinusitis in a child?

Treatment of sinusitis in a child should only be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Self-medication is unacceptable.

Therapeutic measures are necessary to restore nasal breathing, eliminate the pathogen and its waste products, relieve inflammation and swelling, and prevent the development of complications.

Medicines

Treatment of sinusitis involves the mandatory use of medications from various groups. This:

Antibacterial drugs (Augmentin, Amoxiclav). The prescription of a particular antibiotic is carried out on the basis of bacteriological examination data, since different pathogens react differently to a particular drug. If the child’s condition rapidly deteriorates, treatment is prescribed immediately, and upon receipt of laboratory data, correction is prescribed.

Vasoconstrictors for the nose in the form of drops (Nazivin, Sanorin, Tizin). The drug helps eliminate swelling, thereby restoring nasal breathing, improving the process of outflow of pus from the paranasal sinuses. Local antiseptic drops (Protargol) are used immediately after vasoconstrictors. Antihistamines (Tavegil, Fenistil) can reduce swelling caused by an allergic reaction.

Traditional medicine

Traditional recipes for the treatment of sinusitis can only be used with the approval of the attending physician, since their inept use can lead to the development of the disease. Herbal infusions (chamomile, calendula, sage) are used for inhalation.

Preparing a decoction is quite simple: you need to take the raw materials in equal proportions, pour boiling water over it, and heat over low heat. When the product has cooled down a little, let the child breathe in its vapor.

Sea salt is often used to rinse the nose. The product allows you to remove the remaining purulent contents, disinfect the nasal cavity, and make breathing easier.

Surgery

In cases where conservative treatment does not give the expected effect, the child is prescribed surgical intervention. The operation is performed under general anesthesia.

Using an endoscope, the affected sinus is punctured, cleaned of pus, and treated with antiseptic solutions. The operation is classified as minimally invasive, does not require a long recovery period, and is considered as safe as possible for the child.

Drug treatment

Sinusitis that occurs in a mild form can be treated by using medications. For treatment, vasoconstrictor drugs are used, which help eliminate swelling of the nasal mucosa and alleviate inflammation.

Using saline solutions, the nasal sinuses are washed to remove accumulated mucus and purulent discharge. If the temperature rises, antipyretic drugs are used. To strengthen the immune system and improve the child’s well-being, a complex of vitamins and minerals is used. In addition, Komarovsky recommends the use of traditional medicine that helps eliminate inflammation and also improve the patient’s well-being. However, the use of traditional methods is permitted only after a comprehensive diagnosis and consultation with the treating doctor.

In the chronic stage of the disease or its complicated form, surgical intervention is performed, which involves puncturing the maxillary sinus and pumping out the purulent contents.

Complications of sinusitis and methods of their treatment

A complication of acute sinusitis is chronic, which in turn in advanced cases leads to the following diseases:

Osteomyelitis (disease of the facial bones). Treatment is with antibiotics. As a last resort - surgery.
Ear diseases (otitis). Anti-inflammatory drugs, or in extreme cases antibiotics, are very effective in this case.
Inflammation of the tertiary nerve. As a rule, physical therapy is prescribed. Treatment is also aimed at the cause of the disease (for example, eliminating infection in the nasal passages and sinuses due to sinusitis). Sometimes - hormonal therapy.
Dacryocystitis. In the acute form, antibiotics, physiotherapy, and lavage of the lacrimal ducts are prescribed. Surgical intervention is practiced for the chronic form of the disease or its exacerbation.
Chronic tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis. Treatment is symptomatic or depending on the nature of the disease. In advanced cases, antibiotics are prescribed.
Periostitis. Treatment is with antibiotics.
Spread of infections and bacteria in the brain (including meningitis). Treatment is carried out in a hospital with antibiotics prescribed.
Drug-induced rhinitis (chronic runny nose). Nasal rinsing with medications (usually salt-based), physiotherapy, and, in extreme cases, laser surgery are prescribed.
Brain abscess. Treatment is carried out in a neurosurgery hospital with the prescription of antibiotics, nootropics and an operation to remove pus.
Formation of cysts in the sinuses. Surgery to remove the cysts is recommended.
Possible complications after puncture: abscess, emphysema of the cheek or orbit (a pathological disease associated with the entry of air, for example, into the orbit), phlegmon of the orbit (purulent inflammation), blockage of blood vessels. Abscess and cellulitis are treated with antibiotics and surgery (removal of pus). For emphysema, analgesics and pressure bandages are prescribed so that the air can escape on its own within a few days. Blockage of blood vessels (thrombosis) is treated in a hospital setting with anticoagulants. In acute cases of the disease, surgical intervention is required.

Traditional medicine offers many ways to treat the disease: various medications, depending on the severity of the disease, as well as physiotherapeutic procedures. Folk remedies are good in combination with the generally accepted treatment of sinusitis

It is important to notice a problem in a child in time and prevent complications from developing.

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Diagnostics

To determine that a child really has sinusitis, and no other disease of the paranasal sinuses, the following diagnostic studies are carried out with the relevant tests:

X-ray of the frontal part of the head (in the image you can detect areas of inflammation, which appear in the form of dark spots, as well as purulent exudate if present);
insertion of an endoscope into the cavity of the maxillary sinus to examine the nasal canals and assess the severity of the inflammatory disease;
sampling of mucus secreted from the nasopharynx with its further bacterial seeding in the laboratory to determine which infection caused the occurrence of sinusitis;
CT scan of the head with a detailed study of the condition of all tissues located in this part of the body, as well as whether there are pathological changes in them;
clinical finger blood test and biochemical urine test.

Diagnostics

To make a diagnosis, the doctor uses the following diagnostic measures:

examination of the nasal cavity;
radiography of the paranasal sinuses;
endoscopy of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses;
CT and MRI;
bacteriological examination of the contents of the paranasal sinuses.

How to treat sinusitis in a child?

Treatment of sinusitis in a child should only be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Self-medication is unacceptable.

Therapeutic measures are necessary to restore nasal breathing, eliminate the pathogen and its waste products, relieve inflammation and swelling, and prevent the development of complications.

Medicines

Treatment of sinusitis involves the mandatory use of medications from various groups. This:

Antibacterial drugs (Augmentin, Amoxiclav). The prescription of a particular antibiotic is carried out on the basis of bacteriological examination data, since different pathogens react differently to a particular drug. If the child’s condition rapidly deteriorates, treatment is prescribed immediately, and upon receipt of laboratory data, correction is prescribed.

Traditional medicine

Sea salt is often used to rinse the nose. The product allows you to remove the remaining purulent contents, disinfect the nasal cavity, and make breathing easier.