How To Treat Sinusitis - in children
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How to treat sinusitis Although pediatric sinusitis has many similarities to adult cases of sinusitis, pediatric sinus infections are definitely more challenging for pediatricians and otylaryngologists (ENT'S) to treat. The essential problem for physician's treating sinusitis in children and infants is the lack of development in the actual sinus area; full development is not completed until age 20! The ethmoid and maxillary sinuses are present at birth but are not fully developed until age five. While the frontal sinuses appear at age seven but are not fully functional and developed until adolescence. Children who acquire a sinus infection will present with an infection in either the ethmoid or maxillary sinuses. Older children are more likely to present with an infection in the frontal sinuses or the sphenoid sinus area. In addition, prevalence of allergic rhinitis is the most common way a sinus infection takes root in children and adolescence as well. Sinusitis is difficult to diagnose in children because respiratory infections are more frequent and symptoms can be more subtle. Pediatric sinusitis is often characterized by irritability, earache, cough, halitosis and nasal odors in children. Sinusitis in adults has headache as a signature symptom of sinusitis especially when coupled with postnasal drip. Childhood Sinusitis In addition, acute sinusitis is more uncommon in children, with chronic sinusitis being a more likely infection. Acute sinusitis affects only 1% of infants and 5% of children ages 5-9 years of age and 15% of adolescence population. According to clinical data, children and infants typically present with 'adenoiditis - an infection of the adenoids or viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTI's). Acute sinusitis is a very common diagnosis found in the adult population, however with postnasal drip being a signature symptom. Sinusitis is the same however in both children and adults and it is recognized as: inflammation of the sinuses caused by a blockage in the sinus cavity caused by foreign debris. Child's Symptoms - The following symptoms may indicate a sinus infection in your child:
Problem area: OMC There is an anatomical structure in the sinus area called the "ostiomeatal complex" (OMC) which is an important anatomical structure that impacts the prevalence of sinusitis. Any blockage or obstruction of the OMC is problematic in treating pediatric sinusitis. The slow growth and changes occurring in the ethmoid sinuses have been known to interfere with drainage through the OMC and contributes to chronic maxillary sinus infections in infants and young children with an occasional frontal sinus infection. Treatment of Sinusitis in Children There is a growing appreciation by pediatricians and ENT's who treat childhood sinusitis about factors that complicate this diagnosis. Although it is still a common problem treated routinely, sinusitis is given more sensitivity in light of the growing understanding required in treating sinusitis in children with regard to complicating factors. Some areas of concern for physician's treating sinusitis in infants, children and adolescence include:
Risk factors Children are at risk in developing a complication of sinusitis referred to as orbital cellulites which takes place in about 9.3% of the cases. In addition there is risk of intracranial complications occurring in 3.7-11% of patients. Close monitoring and follow-up care, as well as counseling of family, and ensuring proper medical treatment. With proper care morbidity from sinusitis and related complications is very low. The best medication for sinusitis in children Medications in pill form are often very challenging to administer to children and infants and tend to come in liquid form with short courses of antibiotic therapy with good results. In these cases, the physician must not only treat with an appropriate antibiotic but must also address the associated conditions contributing to the problem. There is an actual treatment called Aerosol therapy that has been studied and found to have a 98% success rate in the treatment for sinus infections and it is provided by Sinus Dynamics. Aerosolized therapy uses a nebulizer which is a device used for different types of sinus problems. It is portable and lightweight and noiseless. The Sinus Dynamics nebulizer uses custom compounded antibiotics, anti-fungals, and anti-inflammatories that are delivered directly into the sinus cavities with a state of the art nebulizer that produces a pressurized aerosolized mist. This method of treatment would be considerably easier to administer to a child or infant. Sinus Dynamics provides all devices and medications as well as with all as all aspects of the sinus care including billing and handling your insurance! Sinus Dynamics services assist with the doctor referrals, detailed explanations of all devices and medication as well as delivering the medication within 24-48 hours. Sinus Dynamics can provide you with a complete treatment program addressing your sinus therapy needs. Sinus Dynamics has the only nebulizer that can produce 3.2-micron particle size capable of entering the sinus cavity, thereby depositing medication and making contact with the infection directly. Sinus Dynamics is very safe! Sinus Dynamics sinus therapy is the best medication for sinusitis available! Call Sinus Dynamics to learn how to treat sinusitis in children now (877) 447-4276! Related Articles |
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