Causes Of Sinus Infection (Sinus Infection Relief)

Causes Of Sinus Infection

Tiny cavities that are located in the bones near the nose are known as sinuses. An inflammation of the sinuses results in a condition described as a sinus attack, or more popularly, sinusitis. But what exactly is a sinus? What are the causes of a sinus infection? Read on to know more.

The sinuses act as protectors of the skull. They make the skull lighter. They also give the characteristic of echo to voice. Four pairs of sinuses link the nostrils to the nasal passages. Any infection or bacterial invasion of the sinuses leads to sinusitis.

The primary cause of a sinus infection is an inflammation of the nasal membrane lining. Sinuses help in evacuation of mucus and dry air from the nasal passage. An inflammation of the same leads to a blockage in the membrane which traps the mucus and dry air in the sinuses.

The most frequent cause of sinus infections is cold. It congests the nasal membrane. Thus, the evacuation process of the sinuses is prohibited and leads to inflammation. Other causes of sinus infections include scuba diving, owing to the pressure changes involved, and the condition of pregnancy which leads to hormonal changes and inflammation of nasal membrane.

Severe headache, softness in the areas around the eyes and nose, discharge from the nose, fever are some of the symptoms of sinusitis. A sinus infection can be acute, lasting around three weeks, chronic, lasting between three to eight weeks, or recurring, that relapses frequently within a span of time.

The sinus pain is felt in different areas depending on the area affected by the sinus. To illustrate, while getting up from the bed in the morning, a pain is felt in bending the head forward. This is known as frontal sinusitis and it affects the area over the eyes. The pain experienced in the jaws and cheekbones is referred to as maxillary sinusitis. Pain in the bridge between the eyes and the nose is known as ethmoid sinusitis. And a pain in the ears and nose and eyes is referred to as sphenoid sinusitis.

Thus, the causes of sinus infection are manifold and the treatment depends on the on the cause and severity of the infection.

Sinus Infection Relief : Getting To Know Sinus Infection

Sinus Infection

Sinuses are small cavities in the bones near the nose that protect the brain against impacts. They are also instrumental in reducing the weight of the skull. A sinus infection is an infection that effects the nasal membrane.

Pollutants and dry air affect the nasal membrane and cause sinus infection. The movement of cilia is slowed down. There is massive secretion of mucus to remove the accumulated bacteria. Due to the slow functioning of cilia, the mucus gets trapped in the sinuses and leads to sinusitis.

The types of sinusitis vary in accordance with the duration. For instance, the sinusitis that lasts for a months' duration is known as acute sinusitis. Similarly, the sinusitis lasting between one to three months is known as sub-acute sinusitis and the one that lasts more than three months is known as chronic sinusitis. A sinusitis that recurs frequently within the span of one year is called a recurring sinusitis.

Sinus infections can also occur due to occupational reasons. The people who are in constant contact with irritants like smoke and petrol, perfumes etc. are prone to sinusitis. Health care personnel are also at a risk. Those who smoke a lot have a major threat of developing sinusitis as smoking causes irritation and reduces resistance to infection.

The symptoms of sinusitis include fever, severe headache, pain in the upper jaw and colored nasal discharge. Any of these occurring for more than ten days demands immediate medical attention. If not treated in time, sinus infection can lead to other chronic diseases like bronchitis, pneumonia and ear infections.

The treatment of sinusitis aims at opening the blockages, curing the infection and reducing chances of recurrence. Home remedies are beneficial in healing the pain. Intake of hot fluids and inhalation of steam are popular home remedies for sinusitis. Antibiotics, mucus thinning agents, decongestants are all recommended to eliminate the infection.

If not benefited by the home remedies, the last resort is a surgery that lasts 2-3 hours that includes opening the sinuses to remove blockage. However, a surgery does not warrant a permanent cure, it only makes the treatment easier in case the sinus infection recurs. The best remedy, thus, still remains prevention.