The anatomical formations discussed in this work are part of two systems of the human body: respiratory and digestive. Externally resembling holes or cells, they have completely different histological structures and perform dissimilar functions. During embryogenesis, they develop from two germ layers - endoderm and mesoderm. These are human alveoli. They are contained in the air-bearing tissue of the lungs and the recesses in the bones of the upper and lower jaw. Let's take a closer look at these structures.
Content:
- Changes in the lungs after coronavirus
- How long do abnormal changes in the respiratory system last?
- The likelihood of developing fibrosis after “crown”
- How to assess lung function after COVID-19
- How to minimize the likelihood of developing pulmonary complications after corona
- How to remove negative consequences after “corona”
The remaining symptoms of coronavirus such as shortness of breath, sore throat, intoxication, and general weakness can bother a person for a long time. Some of them are considered normal and do not require specialized treatment. But often, persistent signs indicate that some organ is still not working at full capacity or, even worse, that it has developed severe damage.
Many people have impaired respiratory function after Covid-19. This is a cause for concern. If you suspect lung damage after Covid, you should definitely make an appointment with a therapist or pulmonologist. It is possible that ground glass syndrome has developed, which requires competent therapy.
Upper alveoli of teeth
And yet, the upper and lower alveoli of the teeth are determined. Where are the upper alveoli of the teeth? The superior alveolus is one of the components of the upper jaw. The upper jaw is a paired bone consisting of four processes: frontal, zygomatic, palatine and alveolar.
The alveolar process is located close to the palatine part, the correct structure of which determines the pronunciation and intelligibility of human speech. When the structure is disturbed, speech defects appear, some of which may be: lisp, burr.
The importance of dental alveoli cannot be overestimated. They secure the teeth to a specific location in the jaw bone. This function is considered decisive; thanks to the alveoli, the teeth cannot move and a person is able to chew food. It is worth noting that if the alveoli relax, the teeth may shift or even fall out.
At the slightest displacement of teeth, you should immediately consult a dentist. This is a symptom of alveolitis of the tooth socket.
Changes in the lungs after coronavirus
After viral agents enter the body, the structure of the pulmonary alveoli changes. Then full gas exchange becomes impossible. Even with an asymptomatic course of the disease, doctors often observe signs of viral pneumonia on x-rays.
As a result of the destruction of the inner layer of the alveoli, the vacated space is filled with pathological cells, lymphocytes and red blood cells. Ventilation of the lungs is impaired. Clinically, this is manifested by severe shortness of breath. X-ray images show darkened areas called “ground glass.”
If the patient’s immunity is weakened and Covid-19 is not treated, pathological foci begin to increase in size and connect with each other. Every day the percentage of damaged lung tissue increases. Then the patient has difficulty breathing. He is worried about the feeling of lack of air. A person cannot take a deep breath. Many people with such symptoms have to be connected to a ventilator, as their life is at risk.
Next, dense “partitions” consisting of connective tissue are formed between the pulmonary lobules. This complication after coronavirus on the lungs is considered very dangerous. It leads to fibrosis.
Alveolus in dentistry
The recess in the jaw in which the tooth root is located is what the alveolus is. Its wall is formed by a compact substance that looks like a plate. It contains osteocytes, as well as salts of calcium, phosphorus, zinc and fluorine, therefore it is quite hard and durable. The plate is attached to the bone beams of the jaw and has periodontal cords in the form of collagen fibers. It is also abundantly supplied with blood and intertwined with nerve endings. After tooth extraction, a strongly protruding wall of the outer part of the socket and bone septum remains. The alveoli of the teeth heal within 3-5 months by first forming granulation tissue, which is replaced by osteoid tissue, and then by mature bone tissue of the jaw.
How long do abnormal changes in the respiratory system last?
Scientists have found that inflammatory lesions in the lungs begin to resolve after about fourteen days or later. In the first two to three months after receiving a negative test for Covid-19, a decrease in pulmonary function of 20 or even 30% is detected. This is explained by the fact that the hard fibrous tissue formed in the organ is not able to open completely.
If a patient is diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, it is difficult to predict the further course of the disease. In some cases, the complication turns out to be irreversible. In case of fibrosis, the patient must be registered with a pulmonologist and undergo periodic medical examinations.
The likelihood of developing fibrosis after “crown”
The growth of scar tissue does not occur in all people who have had pneumonia during the coronavirus. The risk group includes patients with:
- complicated course of pneumonia;
- extensive damage to lung tissue (if more than 50% is damaged);
- distress syndrome;
- respiratory failure, due to which it was necessary to use a ventilator;
- the addition of a secondary fungal or bacterial infection.
According to the data that doctors have today (perhaps they will change in a few years when the coronavirus is studied more deeply), fibrosis does not develop in all patients. Persons who have had a mild or moderate form of the virus very often avoid bronchitis and pneumonia altogether.
Symptoms of the disease
As a rule, symptoms of the disease appear within a few days after surgical tooth extraction. The signs of alveolitis are exceptional and cannot be confused with anything else . Blood thickens in the hole. After this, severe pain appears in the area of tooth extraction. It spreads to neighboring areas. The pain does not subside, but only intensifies.
This is followed by an increase in body temperature to 38-39 degrees, this is due to the spread of infection. A pronounced chill begins to be felt. Henna forms in the wound, which is accompanied by an unpleasant odor. The area around the hole becomes inflamed and red. In some cases, inflammation of the lymph nodes is observed.
It is worth noting that if a person has even a few of the above symptoms, then this is a good reason to consult a dentist. The earlier treatment begins, the more effective it is. If treated inappropriately, serious complications may occur.
How to assess lung function after COVID-19
One of the most modern, safe and highly accurate methods used in examining covid and post-covid patients is computed tomography. It should be taken even in the absence of fever and cough if:
- severe weakness persists;
- there is an uncomfortable feeling of squeezing in the chest;
- blood tests show the presence of an inflammatory process in the body;
- When listening to the lungs, the doctor hears wheezing.
To understand whether a particular patient has respiratory failure, doctors:
- Examine the gas composition of the blood. During this analysis, they look at the partial pressure of oxygen, blood pH, bicarbonate concentration, and carbon dioxide levels.
- Pulse oximetry is performed. It is important to look at its results over time, for example, in the morning, during the day, at night. The test shows how well the blood is oxygenated. In turn, this allows us to judge the functions of the lungs.
- The vital capacity of the lungs is measured, and the peak volume of the forced expiratory flow rate is also assessed.
The main symptom indicating a decrease in the body's respiratory abilities is persistent shortness of breath, in which a person begins to breathe heavily even while walking. His heartbeat and pulse quicken.
How to minimize the likelihood of developing pulmonary complications after corona
It is important to implement measures to speed up the recovery process after coronavirus. The simplest of them is daily breathing exercises. Unfortunately, it will not relieve the inflammatory process, but it will improve local blood supply, increase the vital capacity of the lungs, and normalize tissue metabolism. Gymnastics will also reduce the amount of tissue changed due to fibrosis.
There are a huge variety of restorative breathing programs. All of them are aimed at strengthening the chest muscles. Strelnikova’s gymnastics have proven themselves to be excellent. Pulmonologists recommend it to all patients who have had pneumonia.
Doctors also allow the use of yogic breathing during the recovery period after COVID-19. Its advantage is that it is very easy to perform, which means it is suitable even for severely weakened people who are forced to remain in bed.
If the patient does not want to do special exercises, he can simply inflate a regular balloon many times a day. This technique is aimed at developing the lungs and preventing fibrotic complications.
Whether the negative consequences of coronavirus will occur and how serious they will be largely depends on a person’s desire to get well soon and how responsibly he treats medical recommendations. If the patient trusts the doctor and follows all his instructions, his chances of a full recovery after the “corona” will be very high.
Nutritional Features
Treatment recommendations for alveolitis and for the prevention and development of it contain recommendations for food intake. After tooth extraction, the fasting time should be about 3 hours. If the figure eight was removed, then this period increases to 4-5 hours.
The first snack should be light. It is better if you use products of a homogeneous semi-liquid consistency. For example, pastes, yoghurts or purees. Hot food should not be consumed, since high temperatures prevent the formation of a blood clot as a necessary factor for the timely and physiological healing of the resulting mucosal defect.
For the next two days, the nutritional principles are the same. Food should be thermally and mechanically gentle. It is necessary to prevent solid food from getting into the hole. It is advisable to protect yourself from seeds, nuts, and fruits with small hard seeds.
The food temperature should be from 27 to 40 degrees. Hot foods, as well as excessively cold foods, can interfere with tissue healing.
How to remove negative consequences after “corona”
The rehabilitation process after Covid-19 includes three main steps:
- Establishing oxygen supply to lung tissue.
- Elimination of symptoms of poor lung function.
- Improvement of general physical and psychological condition.
To solve these problems, patients are prescribed:
- Drug therapy. Involves taking medications that increase blood supply to the lungs, accelerate the resorption of fibrous lesions, and relieve inflammation. Medicines should be selected on a purely individual basis. It is unacceptable to take medications unless prescribed by a doctor, since self-medication very often leads to dire consequences.
- Physiotherapeutic procedures. They allow you to destroy pathogenic microflora, remove inflammation, and increase local immunity. In the post-Covid period, the following have proven themselves to be excellent: pulsed and low-frequency magnetic therapy, SMT, the use of an ultra-high frequency electromagnetic field and polychromatic polarized light, electrophoresis, ultrasound, and inductothermy. It is very important that the patient undergoes a whole course of physiotherapy and does not miss sessions. Only then will physical treatment be highly effective and ensure rapid positive dynamics.
- Special diet. After coronavirus, you need to eat a lot of protein foods. The basis of the diet should be low-fat dairy products, meat, fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Therapeutic exercise. Moderate physical activity promotes the resorption of stagnant lesions. You should start gymnastics with the simplest exercises. As performance improves, it will be possible to complicate the techniques used. If the patient is far from sports and does not want to engage in exercise therapy, cycling or long walks in a forested area are suitable for him.
Don't worry if your doctor has diagnosed negative changes in your lungs after coronavirus. Take care of your health, and soon the situation will improve.
Defects and diseases of the alveolar sockets
Alveoli in the mouth, like other anatomical formations in the human body, can become inflamed, injured and subject to various deformations. Congenital anomalies and defects in the development of dental sockets are quite rare (less than 5.1% of cases): in the vast majority of alveolar pathologies are acquired in nature and are the result of various injuries and dental diseases.
Injuries and fractures
Traumatic damage to the tooth socket is a common complication of jaw fractures. Such pathologies can lead to irreversible deformations not only of the dental alveoli, but also of the entire dentition, so it is important to follow preventive measures if there is an increased risk of such injuries. This applies to boxers, figure skaters, speed skaters, and people suffering from pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, in particular osteoporosis.
With osteoporosis, there is a progressive decrease in bone mass, which leads to the fact that the jaw bones become fragile and susceptible to various mechanical injuries and damage. Most often, osteoporosis affects the lower jaw and is a consequence of chronic calcium deficiency. The main risk group consists of people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals is impaired), who do not follow the principles of a healthy and balanced diet and who have a history of endocrinological pathologies.
Alveolar socket cyst
Such cysts are also called odontogenic or jaw cysts. Radicular cysts, which make up more than 90% of all jaw cysts, can be located on any part of the alveolar process, and the clinical picture depends on the size of the formation and the nature of its contents. If the cyst is filled with inflammatory or serous exudate and is small in size, it can only be diagnosed after an X-ray examination of the tooth and its root.
Purulent cysts have a more pronounced clinical picture, and its symptoms are quite well defined and visualized during the initial examination. It can be:
- high body temperature exceeding febrile levels;
- unpleasant, pungent smell of rotting;
- sharp aching pain;
- bulging and deformation of the alveolar process.
Cysts of the upper jaw, if large in size, can have the clinical picture of sinusitis, as they grow predominantly towards the nasal passages and turbinate.
Dry alveolar cell syndrome
Dry socket is a pathology that develops after extraction of molars. The structure of the dental alveoli is represented by a large number of nerve bundles and capillaries, so after this operation the hole is immediately filled with blood, which, under the action of enzymes, thickens, coagulates and forms a blood clot (clot). Such a bundle has important functional significance: it protects the nerve plexuses and exposed bone areas from infection and mechanical injury, and also promotes faster healing of the alveoli and its tightening.
Damage or removal (either accidental or intentional) of a blood clot is called dry socket syndrome. It is this pathology that in 80% of cases provokes the development of post-extraction alveolitis - inflammatory changes in the soft and hard tissues of the alveolar socket, often requiring antibacterial and antimicrobial therapy and even surgical treatment.
Reasons that can lead to displacement or partial destruction of a blood clot include:
- non-compliance with a gentle regime for hygienic care of the oral cavity (active rinsing, smoking, drinking drinks through a straw, etc.);
- constant mechanical pressure on the clot (according to statistics, almost 91% of patients involuntarily touch the formed clot with their tongue, which can provoke its displacement);
- exposure to tobacco smoke.
In women, one of the causes of dry alveolar syndrome may be taking COCs.
Note! To prevent clot displacement, it is necessary to maintain a gentle hygienic and dietary regime, carefully monitor oral hygiene, avoid increased physical activity and stop smoking and drinking alcohol for at least 72 hours after surgery.
Literature:
- Pathogenesis of Covid-19 / Abaturov A.E., Agafonova E.A., Krivusha E.L., Nikulina A.A./ 2021 / Journal “Child Health”.
- Expert analysis of the treatment of acute respiratory infections by local pediatricians / Zemlyakova E. I., Shakirova E. M., Safina L. Z. / 2012 / Journal “Practical Medicine”.
- Fundamentals of physical rehabilitation and physiotherapy / N. B. Serova; Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, Ural Federal University named after. the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin, [Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Youth Policy]. - Ekaterinburg: Ural University Publishing House, 2021. - 220 p.
The text was checked by expert doctors: Head of the socio-psychological service of the Alkoklinik MC, psychologist Yu.P. Baranova, L.A. Serova, a psychiatrist-narcologist.
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