What Causes Sinus Infection?

Sinus infections are common sinus disorders that lead to pain and physical discomfort. The apparent signs of an infection include cold and several other symptoms like headache. What causes sinus infection? Before delving into that, let us have a look at what exactly is sinusitis and what are its symptoms.

Sinuses are cavities near the bones of the nose. Sinusities is a condition that arises due to the trapping of mucus and dry air in the sinuses because of inflammation of the nasal membrane.

The symptoms of a sinus infection include severe headache, tenderness around eyes and nose, often accompanied by fever, cough and cold and a discharge from the nose. Sinusitis can be acute, lasting a few weeks, chronic, lasting more than eight weeks or recurring, three to four times a year.

The sinuses serve the crucial function of protecting the skull. They act as a shield for the skull. Sinuses also make the skull lighter. They lend the voice its characteristic ability to echo. Four pairs of sinuses exist linking the nostrils to the nasal membrane. An inflammation of the nasal lining, consisting of the sinuses, is what causes a sinus infection. An inflammation of all the four pairs of sinuses gives rise to a condition called pan-sinusitis.

The common cold is perhaps one of the most common causes of a sinus infection. Due to cold, a congestion is caused in the nasal membrane which prevents the sinuses from evacuating mucus. This leads to an inflammation of the sinuses.

Other causes of sinus infection include flying, scuba diving and even the condition of pregnancy. Flying and scuba diving lead to pressure changes, thereby, leading to sinusitis. Similarly, during pregnancy, hormonal changes occur which can give rise to sinus infections. The people who are asthmatic are also prone to sinusitis.

The treatment for a sinus infection includes antibiotics, use of nasal sprays, inhaling steam from a vaporizer, intaking hot fluids, applying a paste of cinnamon with water, or ginger with milk, or basil leaves mixed with cloves and dried ginger.

If the problem still persists, consulting a doctor is preferable. Whatever the causes of sinus infection are, prevention remains the best cure against all!

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How To Avoid Sinus Infections

Sinus is one of the most common ailments gripping a large number of people. It can be infectious as well as non-infectious. Antibiotics are used to kill the sinus bacteria. Decongestants also help in relieving the pain. But as they say, 'prevention is better than cure'. So, how to avoid the sinus infections?

Sinus infection can be avoided by preventing excessive secretion of mucus. Before discussing how to avoid the sinus infection, let's briefly describe what exactly is the sinus infection and what are its symptoms.

Sinusitis is caused by the inflammation of the nasal membrane due to pollutants. This slows down the work of cilia which is responsible for evacuation of mucus from the nasal membrane. The inflammation results in trapping of mucus in the membrane leading to the sinus infection.

Weakness, exhaustion, recurrent cold or flu, a pain in the upper jaw, feeling of a pressure around eyes, forehead and cheeks, small amounts of mucus going down the throat are all common symptoms of sinusitis.

Keeping the body hydrated is one of the best methods of avoiding sinus infections. Drink hot soups, teas and other hot liquids. This helps in removing the mucus from the sinuses by improving the cilia movements. While on the move, remember to keep ourself hydrated. Avoid the use of air conditioners as the dry up the air.

Placing warm and moist towels or cloth on the face and the forehead for a duration of 4-5 minutes twice or thrice a day aids cilia movement and eases mucus circulation. A salt and water solution can also help in avoiding sinus infections. This solution needs to be sniffed in and out of the nose so as to clean the nose cavities.

A Hydro Pulse Nasal device or a sinus irrigator are modern devices that help in right and painless irrigation of sinuses. These are easily available with the pharmacies in the market. The pulse of water is gentle. The devices are simple and easy to use.

Thus, how to avoid sinus infections has a simple answer to it - by observing a few precautions! However, if the symptoms occur, it is advisable to always consult a specialist.

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