Sinusitis is a condition that often escapes the consciousness of the patient because it is masked by annoying symptoms of colds or other viral infection that accompanies and which has caused them. Acute sinusitis, when it is incorrectly treated (or left untreated), can become chronic and last for many months.
How are the paranasal sinuses constructed?
The gulfs are air-filled double spaces - arranged symmetrically around the nose and eyes. The paranasal sinuses are even - i.e. double and consist of 2 frontal sinuses, 2 maxillary sinuses, labyrinth (sieve cells) and 2 sphenoid sinuses near the ear. (see below).
In a sense, they are an extension of the nasal cavities. The largest volumes are the maxillary sinuses located on both sides of the nose. Their capacity is about 15 ml, the upper wall is the bottom of the orbita, the anterolateral - lower wall borders on the upper teeth.
Frontal sinus - located more or less above the eyes, while the others are deeper (behind the base of the nose). As a rule, the sinuses should have good contact with the nasal cavity.
Fig. Diagram of paranasal sinuses (profile)
1- frontal bay, 2 - labyrinth of sieve (sieve cells), 3 - jaw bay, 4 - bay wedge
What tasks do the sinuses perform?
The sinuses - empty cavernous spaces make the skull structure light and resistant to injuries and protects the brain. Interestingly, the sinuses produce an audio resonance that modulates and amplifies the vocal tones, resonating in a similar way as, for example, the interior of the violin to the strings.
What physiological role does healthy sinuses play in the airways?
The sinuses, and more specifically their air cavities, support heat exchange between usually colder air and blood. Thanks to this sinus, along with the nasal cavity, the brains cool, which in this way gives off a large excess of heat. (It produces about 15% of the heat produced by the body). An important role in this heat exchange is heating the cold air inhaled into the bronchi and alveoli to the appropriate temperature.
Nose and sinus cavities moisturize and heat the air for the lungs
The air inhaled through the nose warms up and moisturizes, becoming a saturated steam with body temperature. While breathing through the mouth is not able to saturate the air with more than 70% of relative humidity, nose breathing closes this index to the desired 95% for alveoli. (The air in the nasal cavity is also subjected to a purification process.) All these tasks are possible only for a healthy nasal nose and paranasal sinuses. Suffice it to say that the nose has to moisten around 10,000 a day. liters of air up to 95% humidity. This enables proper anatomical structure of nasal structures as well as mucociliary transport and nasal cycle.
Self-cleaningk
The mucous membrane of the sinuses - like the nasal mucosa has a self-cleaning mucociliary mechanism and produces large amounts of mucus that moisturizes the epithelium and collects contaminants. The rowing, pendulous movement of the cilia that cover the epithelial cells with which the paranasal sinuses are sent causes forced excretion of secretions from the sinuses through narrow crevices in the nasal cavities - outside.
INFECTIONS INITIATE IGNITION
They initiate sinus pathogenesis of microbes
The bays inhabit physiologically useful and pathogenic bacteria, including, for example, pathogenic streptococcal type A Streptococcus pneumonice type A, as well as Haemophilus influenzae, etc. In a healthy human, it effectively controls the number of bacteria, an efficient immune system.Every viral infection (cold, flu, etc.) - causes inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane of the nose and sinuses. Swelling of the mucosa closes gradually the permeable connections of the sinuses with the nasal cavity. This results in underpressure in the sinuses due to the rapid flow of air through the nasal cavity.
Bacterial infections of the sinuses
Negative pressure in the sinuses favors penetration of viruses and bacteria present in the mucosa of the nose, e.g. during sneezing or blowing the nose. Not excreted, the collecting secretion becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. The temperature and humidity of the air in the sinus cavities favors the multiplication of microorganisms - so their excessive development and pressure on the surrounding tissues quickly grows. The intensive multiplication of pathogenic bacteria causes the development of inflammation, fever and damage to the epithelial lining of the sinuses.
Microbes and the course of sinusitis
Sometimes sinusitis does not cause bacterial superinfection - the cause of the inflammation is the viruses that cause a mild disease (10-20% of viral inflammations). They usually infect sinus pathogenic bacteria - staphylococcus, influenza rod, moraxella; less frequently purulent type A streptococci. Rarely, but also fungal infections are possible.
Typical symptoms of sinusitis
The growth of pathogenic bacteria causes acute inflammatory symptoms and pain. The most common ailments include: headache, facial pain, purulent discharge from the nose, general malaise.
The location of the disease
Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses may include only the maxillary sinuses - and be caused, for example, by infection of the teeth and periosteum (so-called periodontitis). More often, it covers the entire perinatal bays.
How long does the illness last?
In medical practice, three types of disease are most often distinguished, due to its duration and effectiveness of treatment:
- acute sinusitis - lasting up to 3 weeks (due to effective treatment or self-curing).
- acute recurrent inflammation (sometimes subacute inflammation is distinguished - lasting from 3 weeks to 3 months)
- chronic sinusitis - when the inflammation lasts over 3 months, and pharmacological treatment is ineffective.
Ed. Edward Ozga Michalski, MA
Literature:
1. Sinusitis; Dr hab. n. med. Józef Jordan, prof. Medical Academy in Gdańsk, Head of the Otolaryngological Department of the Municipal Hospital in Gdynia; PharmaNet.pl - art. Internet. E-mail: [email protected]
2. Acute sinusitis in children - Dr. med. Teresa Oleniacz; Health Service No. 3-4 (2998-2999); 2001 Department of Audiology, Phoniatrics and Laryngology IP-CZD Warsaw
3. "Laryngological complications of viral infections of the upper respiratory tract"; Dr n. Med. Urszula Samolińska-Zawisza - Central Clinical Hospital of the Medical Academy in Warsaw; Internet
5. Internet: www.zdrowezatoki
6. Child from A to Z - medical guide - Dr. Miriam Stoppard, ed. Athena 1986
