Your sinuses are spaces in your scull that contain mucus membranes. You have four pairs located within the scull, they are the frontal sinuses (forehead), maxillary sinuses (cheeks), ethmoid sinuses (between the eyes) and the frontal sinuses (behind the eyes). Healthy sinuses allow the air to circulate and the mucus to drain.
Nobody is absolutely sure why we have them, but fortunately we do know how to fix them. So why do we have sinuses? The main theorys are:
- To increase the resonance of the voice
- Decrease the weight of the scull
- To provide a buffer against blows to the face
- To warm and dampen inhaled air
- To regulate gas pressure
- To produce mucus that helps the immune system
Of course, these are all proposed reasons, but they all play a part and they are all certainly valid. So now we know what sinuses are and what (we think) they are for. But how do they become infected? Once again, this could be for a number of reasons. On some ocasions the cillia (tiny hairs) which usually clear the mucus are not working as they should due to medical reasons. Sometimes the exess mucus produced from colds and allergies can cause an infection, or problems with the nasal bone spur, nasal polyps or nasal septum can block the opening of the sinuses.
In simple terms, a nasal infection is caused when the nasal lining thickens because of cell damage. This allows bacteria to invade and multiply in the lining of the sinus, which causes an infection. So blowing your nose won't unblock it, because that "blocked up" feeling is swelling, not mucus.
A sinus infection (sinusitis) can be acute (lasting up to four weeks), sub-aucte (4-12 weeks) or chronic (12 weeks or longer). Chronic sinusitis is the long term swelling of the sinuses and can either be a fungal or bacterial infection, wheras acute or sub-acute sinusitis are almost always bacterial infections. However the symptoms of all three are usually the same.
So how do you know if you have a sinus infection? Here are the symptoms:
- Pressure on one side of the head, or in the eyes, nose or cheeks
- Headache or facial tenderness
- Toothache
- Cough
- Thick nasal discharge
- Bad breath or halitosis
- Reduced (or loss of) sense of smell
- Sore or tender throat
- Nasal congestion
- Fatigue
Its easy to see how it affects you overall mood and wellbeing. Drinking hot drinks and inhaling steam can bring relief because it helps to boost drainage, so try a cup of tea and a nice hot shower. Nasal sprays and decongestants can bring relief temporarily, and medications that can be brought over the counter such as ibuprofen and asprin can reduce swelling and relieve pain. However, if you have chronic sinusitis it is likely to be caused by an underlying problem. Allergies, dental problems and smoking are the main culprits, so addressing these problems could make your symptoms disappear. That's an important thing to remember, ignoring the problem will not make the symptoms go away. Chronic sinusitis can sometimes require prescribed drugs and perhaps even surgical treatment. It's a good idea to seek your doctors advice about treatment if you think you have it.
Nobody is absolutely sure why we have them, but fortunately we do know how to fix them. So why do we have sinuses? The main theorys are:
- To increase the resonance of the voice
- Decrease the weight of the scull
- To provide a buffer against blows to the face
- To warm and dampen inhaled air
- To regulate gas pressure
- To produce mucus that helps the immune system
Of course, these are all proposed reasons, but they all play a part and they are all certainly valid. So now we know what sinuses are and what (we think) they are for. But how do they become infected? Once again, this could be for a number of reasons. On some ocasions the cillia (tiny hairs) which usually clear the mucus are not working as they should due to medical reasons. Sometimes the exess mucus produced from colds and allergies can cause an infection, or problems with the nasal bone spur, nasal polyps or nasal septum can block the opening of the sinuses.
In simple terms, a nasal infection is caused when the nasal lining thickens because of cell damage. This allows bacteria to invade and multiply in the lining of the sinus, which causes an infection. So blowing your nose won't unblock it, because that "blocked up" feeling is swelling, not mucus.
A sinus infection (sinusitis) can be acute (lasting up to four weeks), sub-aucte (4-12 weeks) or chronic (12 weeks or longer). Chronic sinusitis is the long term swelling of the sinuses and can either be a fungal or bacterial infection, wheras acute or sub-acute sinusitis are almost always bacterial infections. However the symptoms of all three are usually the same.
So how do you know if you have a sinus infection? Here are the symptoms:
- Pressure on one side of the head, or in the eyes, nose or cheeks
- Headache or facial tenderness
- Toothache
- Cough
- Thick nasal discharge
- Bad breath or halitosis
- Reduced (or loss of) sense of smell
- Sore or tender throat
- Nasal congestion
- Fatigue
Its easy to see how it affects you overall mood and wellbeing. Drinking hot drinks and inhaling steam can bring relief because it helps to boost drainage, so try a cup of tea and a nice hot shower. Nasal sprays and decongestants can bring relief temporarily, and medications that can be brought over the counter such as ibuprofen and asprin can reduce swelling and relieve pain. However, if you have chronic sinusitis it is likely to be caused by an underlying problem. Allergies, dental problems and smoking are the main culprits, so addressing these problems could make your symptoms disappear. That's an important thing to remember, ignoring the problem will not make the symptoms go away. Chronic sinusitis can sometimes require prescribed drugs and perhaps even surgical treatment. It's a good idea to seek your doctors advice about treatment if you think you have it.
About the Author:
Learn more about sinus infections. Stop by Jamie Price's site where you can find out all about sinusitis and sinus infection relief.
