Causes of Sinusitis

What is Sinusitis?

• Affecting about 37 million Americans annually, sinusitis is a painful condition when sinuses (cavities or hollow spaces lining mucous membranes) become inflamed or infected. Sufferers can also experience pain in the forehead over the eyebrows or around and behind the eyes. For children, symptoms are usually a stuffy nose along with headaches. If the sinuses are infected, fever can also occur. Other symptoms include mucous running down the back of the throat (postnasal drip), sore throats and coughs.
  
  

Types of Sinusitis

• The two main types of sinusitis are acute and chronic sinusitis. Acute sinusitis, which can either be viral or bacterial, deals with temporary conditions, which normally last three weeks or less. On the other hand, chronic sinusitis has less painful symptoms, although they can last as long as three to eight weeks and sometimes can last for months or years. This condition can recur with painful attacks of acute sinusitis.
  
  

Viral Causes of Acute Sinusitis

• Viral infections are the most common cause of sinusitis. Upper respiratory infections (colds) can last from a week to seven days, beginning with a sore throat. Other symptoms usually follow, including a runny nose, nasal congestion and even facial pain. Coughs can develop because of increased postnasal drip. Viral infections can be so severe that paralyzed or destroyed cilia trap mucus in the nose and are unable to get rid of it.
  
  People with asthma need to take extra precautions during a cold because asthma symptoms can worsen, developing into sinusitis.
  
  

Bacterial Infections

• Bacterial infections, due to colds, coughs and flu, often lead to sinusitis. Through bacterial infections, sinuses openings can become clogged with mucus ensnared in the body so it drains down the throat, creating a haven for bacteria. This leads to sinusitis, which paralyzes the cilia and causes swelling in the mucous membrane, creating worse blockage in the sinuses.
  
  

Allergies and Other Causes of Acute Sinusitis

• Hay fever and other allergies can lead to sinusitis. Nose bleeding, because of too much pressure from blowing the nose, can cause bacterial infections to set in, causing sinusitis. Scuba diving while having a cold also creates undue nose pressure, resulting in a bacterial infection in the sinuses. Side effects from medication can injure mucous membranes. Even air pollution can be a cause.
  
  Fungus swallowed with food can cause sinusitis. Microscopic in size, plant or mold fungi can be either inhaled or eaten, irritating the sinuses or hurting the immune system. Diseased teeth can be a source, as well.
  
  Tumors can also be a cause because sinuses can become blocked when growths sprout near sinus openings. This causes mucous drainage, hindering sinuses. With less air and mucous flowing, more mucous backs up, making sinuses sluggish and creating fertile ground for infection and bacteria to grow. This leads to sinusitis.
  
  

Causes of Chronic Sinusitis

• Because chronic sinusitis usually concerns defects in body structure, it is more permanent. A few causes of chronic sinusitis include asthma, dehydration, temperature and humidity, defective mucus membranes and narrow sinuses. Known as a deviated septum, narrow sinuses create painful swelling, making it hard to breathe. Sometimes surgery is needed to correct the condition.
  
  Polyps (sacs of swollen tissue due to allergies or infections) can cause sinusitis because they can hinder sinuses from properly draining following an infection.
  
  Sinusitis can be caused by dehydration because not getting enough water can make mucus thicken, preventing it from moving through the sinuses.