Sinusitis in pregnant women - consequences for the child. Sinusitis during pregnancy - how to deal with a dangerous condition. Blood pressure disorders

When expecting a child, it appears quite often. Many expectant mothers suffered from this disease, but thanks to a quick response and timely medical therapy, they maintained their health and eliminated the risk of developing undesirable processes in the embryo. during pregnancy lies in a weak immune system. The body's protective functions are greatly reduced during pregnancy, so women are exposed to various viral and infectious diseases during this period more often than usual.

Those women who have had sinusitis during pregnancy know that inflammation is accompanied by a number of unpleasant symptoms. The task of the expectant mother is to eliminate them as quickly as possible. But it is important to know exactly how to do this without the risk of harming the baby. Therefore, self-treatment during such a period is out of the question. All therapy should be carried out under the supervision of your treating doctor.

is an acute or chronic inflammation of the paranasal tract, during which the patient suffers from nasal congestion, accumulation of mucus, purulent exudate, as well as pain in the head and temples. Due to heavy discharge, the patient notices a feeling of pressure between the eyebrows, breathing problems, and unpleasant sensations in the mucous tissues.

Often sinusitis accompanied by a change in body temperature. When such a sign appears, the onset of bacterial inflammation inside the maxillary sinuses should be considered. Find out how to get rid of bacterial sinusitis here.

Maxillary sinus disease can be cured using complex treatment. If drug therapy is not received on time, the doctor may prescribe surgery.

The reason for the formation of inflammation lies not only in weak immunity. Sinusitis often appears due to prolonged development of rhinitis, acute respiratory illnesses, or due to a viral infection that has penetrated the respiratory tract.

In certain cases where the patient is prone to inflammation of the maxillary sinuses occurs due to contact with irritants. These include food, pet hair, cosmetics, dust, mites, and so on. In this case, therapy begins with identifying the type of irritant and completely eliminating the allergen. In other cases, you can get rid of sinusitis with the help of anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs that increase the level of immunity.

Consequences of sinusitis

The consequences of sinusitis during pregnancy for the child are always unpredictable. Those women who have suffered from inflammation of the paranasal tract while carrying a baby know how painful sinusitis is.

Sinusitis can cause very dangerous processes.

Danger to mother

If the expectant mother does not start treatment on time, sinusitis can become the root cause of meningitis, damage to the renal pelvis, sepsis, myocarditis. In addition, the accumulation of pus in the paranasal tract can provoke the development of the disease and cause a brain abscess.

All these signs dangerous to a woman's health. In extreme cases, they can be fatal for both the pregnant woman and the baby.

Other possible consequences of sinusitis include:

All of these processes are dangerous not only for the health of the mother, but can also harm the embryo.. It is especially scary if these processes occur in the first trimester. At this time, the baby is not yet protected by the placenta and any use of medications is prohibited.

Chronic form

If sinusitis is not cured on time, the patient may development of a chronic disease. In this case, the risk of unwanted effects on the baby increases several times.

Hypoxia

In addition to the listed signs, Sinusitis causes nasal congestion. In the absence of nasal breathing, a pathological process occurs in the lungs and heart. If there is insufficient oxygen supply, the baby may suffocate.

Hypoxia is dangerous for the baby due to the risk of cell death.

For reference! Oxygen starvation occurs five days after the onset of acute sinusitis. Find out how to get rid of this type of inflammation here.

Blood pressure disorders

Significant consequences of sinusitis during pregnancy include blood pressure disorder. In this case, the child has a congenital pathology.

The level of blood pressure depends on the work of the heart, the tone of the arteries and the general emotional state of the patient.

There is a risk that the child will not be able to engage in physical activity, since a change in arterial tone will lead to disruption of the heart.

Cardiovascular problems

Sinusitis can be the root cause of disruption of the baby’s nervous system. This part of the body is responsible for the interconnection of all human systems and organs.

Dysfunction of the central nervous system leads to uncontrollable consequences throughout the body.

Combining the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, any disorder in this area leads to serious consequences and leaves an imprint on the entire body of the patient.

Swelling of the eye tissue

Characteristic features after inflammation of sinusitis include swelling of the eye tissue. After birth, the baby experiences soreness, constant redness and severe watering of the eye. Often the membranes of the eye are severely inflamed, the disease causes itching and burning.

Swelling of the eye tissue causes profuse lacrimation, which intensifies in cold and windy weather.

Due to dysfunction of the eye tissue, the child cannot move the eye normally, which causes visual impairment.

In addition to swelling of the eye tissue, patients complain of constant lacrimation, fear of light, and a feeling of pressure in the eyes.

Periostitis

If a pregnant woman suffered from sinusitis while carrying a fetus, the child may develop inflammation of the periosteum or periostitis.

Periostitis is an inflammatory process that occurs due to inflammation of the periosteum.

As the disease develops, the baby experiences swelling of the soft tissue of the face and appearance of gumboil in the maxillary sinus. In addition, periostitis can occur due to improperly treated inflammation of the teeth.

Surgical intervention

If a pregnant woman has not taken the necessary measures in the early stages of inflammation, the expectant mother should undergo. The operation requires the use of antibiotics, which can cause disruption in the baby’s development and cause abnormal cell structure.

In addition, one cannot be sure that surgery will not cause adverse reactions in the woman’s body. Cases of terrible outcomes due to an allergic reaction to anesthesia have been recorded.

Sinusitis is considered a rather dangerous disease, which manifests itself as inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. The inflammatory process can be purulent and involve one or both cavities. This disease is dangerous due to complications that develop in the absence of timely treatment. Pregnant women should pay special attention to the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease.

Why is inflammation of the maxillary sinuses dangerous?

Inflammation of the maxillary sinuses is considered a very dangerous pathology, because it develops inside the nasal cavity, which is responsible for cleaning and warming the air going to the lungs. The timbre of the voice also depends on this cavity.

Considering the nature of the disease, doctors distinguish the following forms:

  • spicy. This form of the disease appears for the first time and is characterized by rapid development and clearly developed symptoms. If you start the right treatment, sinusitis can be cured in 2 weeks. In the absence of proper therapy, the disease will drag on for several months;
  • chronic. This form of the disease is the result of prolonged, untreated acute sinusitis. A disease that lasts more than a month is considered chronic.

Penetration of infection occurs in the following ways:

  • hematogenous;
  • through the nasal mucosa;
  • odontogenic way.

The main signs of the development of the disease are:

  • weakness;
  • difficulty breathing through the nose;
  • headaches (they worsen when moving the head, tilting it down, sneezing);
  • the appearance of mucous, purulent discharge from the nose;
  • conjunctivitis, swelling of the eyelids, lacrimation (these signs are characteristic of a severe course of the disease).

Sinusitis is especially dangerous during pregnancy due to:

  1. Oxygen starvation. The maxillary sinuses are responsible for providing the body with oxygen. Impaired functioning of these sinuses causes oxygen starvation, which poses a danger not only to the pregnant woman, but also to the fetus, which shares a common circulatory system with the mother. Oxygen starvation is dangerous for the development of pathologies in the fetus, especially if it occurs in the early stages of pregnancy.
  2. Complications. Sinusitis can provoke inflammation of the teeth, eyes, and cause the development of tonsillitis and meningitis. Infection from the source of inflammation can penetrate the brain. It is especially difficult to treat inflammation that has spread to the brain area. This can cause a threat to the life of the mother, which entails a threat to the life of the child.
  3. Incorrect treatment. The use of vasoconstrictor drops has a negative effect on the placenta and can cause oxygen starvation for the baby.

In the initial stages of pregnancy (1st trimester), the infection can cause damage to the baby’s organs and tissues. If the fetus becomes infected in the later stages of pregnancy (2nd, 3rd trimester), the risk of miscarriage and intrauterine fetal death increases.

With sinusitis, the body of a pregnant woman does not receive oxygen in the volume it needs. Oxygen starvation of the fetus also begins.

The photo shows the etiology of sinusitis

Features of treatment of sinusitis during pregnancy

If a pregnant woman gets sinusitis, therapy should be:

  1. Timely. Early treatment increases the chances of avoiding complications. An advanced disease cannot be cured solely with medications; a puncture will be required.
  2. Professional. It is not necessary to completely exclude traditional methods, but it is worth remembering that self-medication can provoke the development of complications. Treatment should be carried out according to the doctor's instructions. If you cannot carry out the procedures at home, you need to visit a medical facility where they are performed by specialists.
  3. Complex. It is impossible to cure sinusitis with one therapeutic method. Treatment must be comprehensive. Doctors prescribe drugs from different groups that complement each other.

Features of the treatment of sinusitis during pregnancy:

Taking medications

Sinusitis can be treated with medication, without surgery.

Experts consider a puncture to be stressful for the mother’s body, so they try by all means to avoid this surgical method of treatment.

For sinusitis, drugs of different groups are prescribed:

  1. . Most often, medications are used in the form of drops, because they affect only a certain area of ​​the body and immediately reach the source of infection. During pregnancy, drugs in this group are difficult to use due to the presence of a large list of side effects. Antibiotics are prescribed as a last resort; they are allowed to be used according to a strictly defined schedule. Very rarely, antibiotics are injected into the sinus after a puncture has been performed. Among antibiotics, pregnant women can use gentle antibacterial drugs (Azithromycin, Spiramycin, third-generation cephalosporins).
  2. Beneficial bacteria. They are recommended for use as auxiliary drugs in antibiotic therapy. Doctors prescribe Hilak Forte, Bifiform, Linex.
  3. . This remedy can be used in the treatment of newborns, because they do not provoke the development of allergies. Thanks to the drops, mucus is washed away and has an antibacterial effect.
  4. Drops based on essential oils. Thanks to these drugs, swelling is reduced and there is an antibacterial effect. Medicines in this group are not capable of harming the mother or fetus, because they are natural.
  5. Wash solutions. Designed to wash out mucus, pus, and cleanse the respiratory tract. Antiseptic solutions promote better outflow of contents: “Chlorhexidine”, “”, water-salt solution).

There is a specific list of drugs that are prohibited for use in the treatment of sinusitis in pregnant women:

  • "Levomycetin".
  • "Streptomycin".
  • "Metronidazole".
  • "Tetracycline".
  • Aminoglycosides.

Permitted procedures

Among the procedures for sinusitis, rinsing and inhalation are allowed. The procedures must be coordinated with the attending physician so as not to harm the body of the mother and child.

Washing the nasal passages, turbinates, and sinuses to remove purulent and serous discharge is considered effective. They can be performed at a medical center or at home.

Self-washing is done using a pipette or spray. The solution is injected without pressure in large quantities into the nasal passages, then the solution is carefully removed. You need to perform 3–4 procedures per day.

Must be performed by a specialist in an office with special equipment. It will not harm pregnant women; doctors consider it absolutely safe.

What folk remedies can be used

During pregnancy, sinusitis is dangerous due to inept treatment. This is worth remembering for expectant mothers who do not welcome medications, but give preference only to folk remedies. Traditional medicine recipes are appropriate in moderate doses. They must be used very carefully. You can use warming with the following means:

  • . They are boiled, cooled, and placed on the sinus area;
  • salt, sand. These components are heated in a frying pan, poured into a special bag, which is placed on the inflamed sinuses;
  • clay. 2 small cakes are made from this material in the oven, then they are placed on the sinus area.

Doctors also allow inhalations with the following products:

  • vegetables. This could be boiled potatoes in their jackets, a head of garlic, onions;
  • essential oils. You need to breathe in the vapors that appear over boiling water, to which drops of essential oil of sage, pine, and eucalyptus are added;
  • . You need to breathe over the fumes that form over the garlic pulp, which is placed in a frying pan and heated in the oven.

You need to be very careful when performing inhalations. If you feel dizzy or pain, you need to stop breathing in vapors.

Sinusitis is a purulent inflammation that covers both paranasal sinuses or one of them. This disease is also called rhinosinusitis. It is dangerous due to complications that can arise if it is not treated on time. Sinusitis is especially dangerous during pregnancy, since in this situation not all methods of treating this disease are suitable for a woman.

During pregnancy, the body's defenses are weakened, so it is not surprising that sinusitis during pregnancy is extremely difficult to treat. And the means used in this case will be minimal, since they can have a negative impact on the development of the fetus.

So, why does sinusitis occur during pregnancy?

Causes of sinusitis

In the early stages of pregnancy, a woman may feel like she has a runny nose, but this symptom does not mean that she is developing rhinosinusitis. This feeling of well-being is due to the fact that specific processes take place in a woman’s body that are not related to the disease, but catching a cold during this period is very dangerous. This can lead to inflammation of the sinuses and the development of the above disease.

The nasal mucosa changes during pregnancy, in particular, the mucus that is on its surface changes its structure, becoming more concentrated and thick. This is due to hormonal changes in the female body. In turn, it contributes to the fact that harmful viruses and bacteria that enter the body through the nose linger in it, causing the risk of various diseases. Some of them begin to actively multiply in the area of ​​the nasal sinuses and cause an inflammatory process.

Microorganisms that can cause sinusitis during pregnancy:

  • viruses;
  • hemophilus influenzae;
  • mycoplasma;
  • staphylococcus;
  • streptococcus;
  • chlamydia;
  • fungi.

It often happens that sinusitis in pregnant women is provoked not by these microorganisms, but by untreated acute respiratory diseases, the consequence of which is this disease.

Symptoms of sinusitis during pregnancy

The main alarming symptom that is typical for sinusitis during pregnancy is a constant feeling of a stuffy nose and difficulty breathing, as well as a severe headache. With the development of this disease, the symptoms become even more pronounced, and the main manifestations of sinusitis are:

  • constant nasal congestion;
  • painful sensations in the sinuses, as well as above the bridge of the nose;
  • discharge of a large amount of yellow-green mucus from the nose;
  • headache, usually worsening when lowering the head;
  • night cough;
  • unpleasant odor from the nasopharynx (in rare cases);
  • temperature rise to low-grade levels.

Consequences of sinusitis

During pregnancy, in some cases they can be quite serious. A previous infection affects the functioning of many body systems, and advanced sinusitis can lead to deep kidney damage, myocarditis, sepsis, brain abscess, rapid meningitis, etc.

Due to the fact that during this disease the process of oxygen supply to the body of a pregnant woman is disrupted, she may experience a variety of hypoxic disorders that affect the development of the unborn child. Nasal congestion poses a threat to the heart muscle, blood pressure and lungs.

The progression of this disease is a direct path to surgical intervention, since only surgically it is possible to suppress a strong inflammatory process, freeing the nasal sinuses from purulent contents. The operation can negatively affect the psychological state of the mother, which in turn affects the unborn child, plus, medications that will subsequently be used to treat such a patient can cause some disturbances in its development.

Diagnostics

The main difficulty in diagnosing sinusitis during pregnancy is that its symptoms are too similar to those caused by a common runny nose. The symptoms of rhinosinusitis may be too mild, so a pregnant woman may not be aware of the presence of this disease.

To determine sinusitis, radiography of the frontal and nasal sinuses is usually used. However, during pregnancy it is not always possible to use this diagnostic method, like computed tomography. Thus, to diagnose the disease during pregnancy, the following methods are used:

  1. and frontal sinuses.
  2. Transillumination of the maxillary sinuses - diaphanoscopy.
  3. Research using a thermal imager.
  4. Puncture of the contents of the nasal sinuses.

In this case, puncture is of great therapeutic importance, since it is not only a diagnostic measure, but also a therapeutic manipulation.

Treatment in pregnant women

The use of many medications during pregnancy is excluded. Treatment with antibacterial drugs is possible only in cases where the risk of developing negative consequences of sinusitis is higher than the risk of disorders that may occur in the fetus. Such therapy usually gives quick and positive results. However, it is possible to do without antibiotics if you consult a doctor promptly.

Rinsing the nasal passages

The classic way to get rid of sinusitis is to carry out hygienic procedures in the nose of a pregnant patient. By rinsing the nasal passages and sinuses with special solutions, their contents are removed, along with the bacteria that cause inflammation in these areas.

This procedure can be carried out independently at home, using special devices for rinsing the nose, for example the Dolphin device, which is a small container in the form of a sealed bottle with a tube for air intake. The patient tilts her head and the liquid from this device, by pressing it, pours first into one nostril, then into the second. In this case, water flows out of the opposite nostril, washing away stagnant mucus from the nasal passages.

As a liquid for rinsing the nose, you can use regular saline solution, or you can use a solution of table or iodized salt. In pharmacies you can also purchase special powders for preparing such solutions, which also contain salt, in particular sea salt.

Medicines for pregnant women

Medicines, as already mentioned, should be used only in extreme cases and strictly as prescribed by a doctor.

These medications may be special antibacterial drugs of gentle action, which can be prescribed during pregnancy without any fear, since they are not capable of causing a teratogenic effect. Among these medications, antibiotics for sinusitis during pregnancy should be noted:

  • "Azithromycin";
  • "Spiramycin";
  • "Augmentin";
  • third generation cephalosporin antibiotics.

To prevent the negative consequences caused by antibacterial therapy, pregnant women can use medications:

  • "Bifiform";
  • "Hilak Forte";
  • "Linex" and others.

Treatment of sinusitis during pregnancy at home should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

Medicines for topical use

For topical use, a huge number of medications are available in the form of drops, sprays and ointments. They are necessary, but not all of them can be used during pregnancy. In order to reduce swelling in the area of ​​inflammation of the nasal sinuses, as well as normalize breathing and restore the mucous membrane, the following medications can be used:

  • "Nazivin";
  • "For nose";
  • "Otrivin";
  • "Otilin."

These medications have a vasoconstrictor effect and help relieve nasal congestion. These medications are not recommended for use more than twice a day, and the indicated dosages should be followed.

In cases where a pregnant woman can do without the use of medications, these drugs are not prescribed.

How else to treat sinusitis during pregnancy?

Homeopathic remedies

A good alternative to the use of antibiotics are homeopathic medicines for the treatment of sinusitis. Among the most effective of them:

  • "Asinis";
  • "Euphorbium compositum";
  • "Cinnabsin."

The duration of use of these medications is determined by the doctor and depends on the degree of the disease and its form. Homeopathic medicines act mainly on the very cause of the disease - weakened immunity, therefore medicines of this nature are usually used as additional methods of treatment, in combination with the main ones.

Sinus puncture

This procedure is intended to pierce the nasal sinus and remove purulent contents from it. After the puncture, a special needle is inserted inside, through which liquid for rinsing enters the nasal sinus.

After the procedure, you immediately feel relief - breathing becomes free, headaches and a feeling of pressure in the forehead and in the sinuses stop.

folk remedies

Traditional medicine that can prevent and cure diseases such as sinusitis include:

  1. Rinse the nose with infusion of chamomile or calendula flowers.
  2. Infusion of the herb cuff vulgare.
  3. Infusions of peppermint and burdock herbs.
  4. A decoction of horse sorrel herb.
  5. Infusion of grape leaves.

All of the above products are used to rinse the nasal sinuses using similar methods at home. You should not neglect the means of traditional medicine, because sometimes, apart from them, nothing else can be used during pregnancy, and the effect of their use is no less positive than that of many medicines of chemical origin.

Sinusitis is a disease that is characterized by an inflammatory process occurring in the maxillary sinuses of the nose. As a result of the developing infection, purulent processes begin in the sinuses, the presence of which will be indicated by characteristic purulent discharge from the nose. Traditionally, sinusitis is divided into unilateral (when the inflammation affects only one sinus) and bilateral (when both sinuses are inflamed). In addition, sinusitis can be acute (if it occurs for the first time and occurs acutely with all the accompanying symptoms) and chronic (develops against the background or as a consequence of the respiratory tract, as well as in the absence of timely treatment for acute sinusitis).

Causes of sinusitis during pregnancy

Sinusitis during pregnancy very often becomes a consequence, first of all, of a slight weakening of the expectant mother’s immunity: while carrying a baby, the protective forces drop somewhat, due to which pregnant women are much more susceptible to attack by all kinds of viruses and infections. At the same time, sinusitis during pregnancy can develop as a complication of an upper respiratory tract infection, becoming a consequence of incompletely cured colds. That is why it is very important to monitor your health and follow all doctor’s advice regarding the treatment of upper respiratory tract diseases. Indeed, in addition to the fact that the symptoms and treatment of sinusitis are very unpleasant, the disease is also fraught with serious complications.

Why is sinusitis dangerous during pregnancy?

Sinusitis is characterized, first of all, by nasal congestion and the inability to breathe fully and freely. And the lack of oxygen, as is known, often becomes the cause of hypoxic disorders, including the fetus. Another very serious danger of sinusitis is the likelihood of the inflammatory process spreading into the cranial cavity, which can result in such serious diseases as meningitis, sepsis, and brain abscess. Often, chronic sinusitis becomes the cause and provokes the development of trigeminal neuritis, which causes severe pain in the facial area. Constant stress has a detrimental effect on the heart and, of course, the lungs. It should also be borne in mind that without timely intervention, as sinusitis progresses, complications may develop that cannot be treated without surgical intervention. And surgery during pregnancy is an unsafe procedure.

Symptoms of sinusitis during pregnancy

This means that if you have a stuffy nose, you should be particularly “prejudiced” about your health and listen carefully to whether an ordinary runny nose is “complemented” by the accompanying symptoms inherent in sinusitis. In addition to nasal congestion, the possibility of this is indicated by: pain in the eyes and teeth, sensitivity and soreness of the face, a feeling of “fullness” in the nose, increased body temperature. With chronic sinusitis, a woman notices a persistent night cough that does not respond to traditional treatment - pus, flowing from the affected sinus along the wall of the nasopharynx, irritates the mucous membrane and provokes. In addition, with chronic sinusitis, manifestations such as keratitis and conjunctivitis are also common.

Diagnostics

Treatment of sinusitis is mandatory and necessary - after making the correct diagnosis. In the normal state, sinusitis is detected using, however, during pregnancy this method is not recommended. Therefore, sinusitis during pregnancy is determined by a set of characteristic signs, and also, if necessary, with the help of a therapeutic and diagnostic puncture of the sinus (“puncture”), which, moreover, is also included in the complex of therapeutic measures to eliminate sinusitis.

Treatment of sinusitis during pregnancy

The essence of the “puncture” is that the doctor pierces the paranasal sinus with a special needle, after which the accumulated pus is sucked out with a syringe. A disinfectant solution is then poured into the sinuses, which ultimately makes breathing easier, relieves sinus pressure and eliminates headaches.

Another procedure that involves rinsing the nose with special solutions is called “cuckoo”. It consists of moving medications along the nose while the nose says the phrase “coo-coo-coo-coo.” So, the doctor injects an antiseptic solution into one nostril when the patient is in a supine position, and sucks the solution along with the pus out of the other. Thus, pus is removed from the sinuses, and the medicinal solution, rinsing the nasal cavity, relieves inflammation.

As for drug therapy, it is undesirable to treat sinusitis during pregnancy, therefore, homeopathic remedies are often the drugs of choice. At the same time, antibiotic therapy is acceptable if approved local antibiotics are used, which are administered directly into the maxillary sinuses.

In case of sinusitis during pregnancy, rinsing the nose should generally become a mandatory regular procedure: you can rinse the nose with salt, herbal, and antiseptic solutions. Swelling of the mucous membrane is usually relieved through the use of vasodilators, but, unfortunately, most of them are contraindicated during pregnancy. The use of such drugs may be justified only in very rare and quite severe cases, and then it is better to give preference to those medications that are approved for infants.

It is possible and necessary to treat sinusitis using additional time-tested and experience-tested folk recipes. These include boiled potatoes, menthol or propolis, and soda. Tea with linden is used as a diaphoretic. For instillation - diluted beet juice.

Especially for- Tatyana Argamakova

The body's defenses weaken during pregnancy. He becomes more vulnerable to various infections. One of them is sinusitis. It is dangerous due to its complications, which can have a detrimental effect on the development of the fetus. Therefore, at the first suspicion, you should consult a doctor, and start treatment as soon as possible. The choice of treatment methods must be approached carefully, avoiding “aggressive” means that can harm the unborn baby.

What is sinusitis

Sinusitis (rhinosinusitis) – purulent inflammation of the maxillary sinuses. The inflammatory process can be unilateral (inflammation of one sinus) or bilateral.

Based on the nature of the flow, the following are distinguished: forms of the disease:

  • acute - lasts no more than 5 weeks;
  • subacute - more than 4 weeks;
  • chronic - more than 6 months.

Depending on the pathogen which caused the infection, sinusitis occurs:

  • viral;
  • bacterial;
  • fungal;
  • traumatic;
  • allergic.

Causes of sinusitis in pregnant women

Most often, the development of rhinosinusitis during pregnancy associated with significant weakening of the immune system due to hormonal changes. Various infections can easily enter the body, causing inflammatory processes.

Bacteria, chlamydia, fungi, and viruses are common causes of sinusitis. The disease can be a consequence of a poorly treated cold or rhinitis, as well as a complication of upper respiratory tract diseases. A factor contributing to the development of infection in the maxillary sinuses may be a deviated nasal septum due to injury or congenital anomalies.

Characteristic the first signs of the disease are:

  • constant nasal congestion;
  • pain in the frontal and nasal sinuses;
  • yellow-green discharge from the nasal cavity;
  • headache.

In the acute form of sinusitis, pregnant women may experience an increase in body temperature. A typical symptom for chronic sinusitis is a suffocating cough at night, which does not go away after traditional treatment. Patients may experience signs of conjunctivitis.

Diagnosis of sinusitis during pregnancy

It is difficult to detect sinusitis at an early stage because it the symptoms are very similar to a common runny nose. To diagnose the disease, radiography and computed tomography are used. But these diagnostic methods are contraindicated for pregnant women (especially in the 1st trimester) due to the harmful effects of radiation.

The diagnosis of “sinusitis” during pregnancy can be determined based on the following studies:

  • diaphanoscopy (examination of the sinuses);
  • puncture (puncture of the maxillary sinuses).

How to treat sinusitis during pregnancy

If sinusitis during pregnancy is not treated in time, it can lead to serious consequences for both the woman and the child. From a lack of oxygen due to nasal congestion, the renal pelvis develops, myocarditis, meningitis, and brain abscess develop.

Therapy for rhinosinusitis includes a set of measures that suppress the source of infection and restore the drainage function of the nose. How to treat sinusitis during pregnancy?

Treatment consists of three approaches:

  • nasal rinsing;
  • taking medications;
  • puncture.

A set of therapeutic measures is selected by the doctor individually, depending on the characteristics of the pregnant woman’s condition and the type of sinusitis.

Washing for sinusitis

One of the few acceptable procedures for treating sinusitis during pregnancy at home is washing the maxillary sinuses by moving a disinfectant solution (“cuckoo”). You need to lie on your back so that your head is below the level of your torso. A medicinal liquid is poured into one nostril, and from the other it is sucked out along with purulent mucus with a special device.

At home, you can rinse your nose with saline solution or infusions of medicinal herbs (chamomile, peppermint).

Drug treatment

Medicines for pregnant women are selected with great care. Preference is given to local drugs that eliminate swelling of the mucous membrane and relieve inflammation. It is better to start treatment by using salt drops: Aquamaris, Humer, Nosol.

It is better to avoid vasoconstrictor drops and sprays during pregnancy. In exceptional cases, the doctor may prescribe medications that are approved for use by infants.

The choice in the treatment of sinusitis is given to homeopathic and herbal preparations. Pregnant women are allowed to use: Cinnabsin, Euphorbium compositum, Sinupret, Sinuforte. Doctors recommend using homeopathy as an auxiliary element of complex therapy.

If the effect of using the above remedies does not occur, in some cases they resort to taking antibiotics (if the sinusitis is of a bacterial nature).

Antibiotic drops: Isofra, Polydexa, Bioparox.

Systemic antibiotics: Azithromycin, Augmentin, 3rd generation cephalosporins.

It should be borne in mind that many nasal drops contain substances that help increase vascular tone. Their use can lead to uterine hypertonicity, which increases the risk of miscarriage.

Puncture of the maxillary sinuses

This the most effective and safest treatment method rhinosinusitis in pregnant women. Using a special needle, the maxillary sinuses are pierced and the purulent contents are removed from them. Then a disinfectant solution is injected into the cavity. After the procedure, the patient experiences significant relief and nasal breathing is restored.

The main way to protect yourself from sinusitis is to promptly treat colds and runny nose.

Preventive measures to prevent illness:

  • Avoid hypothermia.
  • In winter, go outside in a hat.
  • Do breathing exercises to stimulate air exchange in the sinuses. Close one nostril and inhale deeply, exhale through your mouth. Do exercises at least 8 times a day.
  • Eat a balanced and healthy diet.

Video about sinusitis

We invite you to watch a video about sinusitis and methods of its treatment - advice from Dr. Komarovsky.

Sinusitis is a dangerous disease, especially during pregnancy. Its consequences can harm the expectant mother and fetus. Therefore, at the first signs of ARVI, you need to visit a doctor. He will prescribe effective and safe treatments, which will prevent the development of sinusitis and maintain the normal course of pregnancy.