What Causes a Sinus Infection and what are its Symptoms?
Annually, approximately 37 million Americans suffer from the common ailment known as sinus infection. Sinuses are air cavities within the skull which are covered by a membranous lining similar to other parts of the airways.
In the mucosa, microscopic hair-like protrusions called Cilia, sweep back and forth like oars every 10 seconds on average. This sweeping motion clears the mucus that is produced by the sinuses into the back of the nose and swallowed unconsciously by us.
Mucus is produced naturally by the sinuses to trap foreign particles, viruses, bacteria and other allergens from the air we breathe in before they enter the lungs. Normal mucus is thin, a little sticky and with a slippery feel.
Once the cilia function becomes impaired, viruses are allowed longer access in the nasal cavities which then become an ideal home to multiply and proliferate. This results in the inflammation of the mucous membranes, known as the mucosa, to produce thicker, sticky mucus.
The cilia are unable to perform its function to clear the sticky and heavy mucus. Nasal congestion results and the poor natural ventilation within the sinus passageways allow bacteria to proliferate. A bacterial infection takes place.
By maintaining healthy cilia function, we can avoid unnecessary suffering from sickness such as the common cold, viral influenza and sinus infection.
Causes of sinus infection
1. As explained above, poor cilia function is a major cause of sinus infection
2. Structural abnormality of the nose. There are people who are borned with a deviated septum. The nasal septum is the wall dividing the nasal cavity into two halves. A deviated septum causes obstruction to normal airflow through one side of the nasal passage.
3. Nasal polyps. Sinus polyps are teardrop-shaped, non-cancerous growths on the lining of the nasal passages. The resultant nasal congestion can lead to a sinus infection.
4. Overly large inferior turbinates. Unfortunately, some people have large inferior turbinates. These can cause chronic nasal congestion especially when there is an allergy.
Sinus infection symptoms
1. Nasal congestion or blocked nose. This is caused by inflammation of the mucosa.
2. Sinus headache. Pain and discomfort in the areas of the affected sinuses. For example, pain in the areas around the cheek points to a maxillary sinus infection.
3. Sinus infection mucus. With an acute bacterial sinus infection, the mucus would be yellow to green color. A chronic sinus infection produces mucus which may not be colored but its texture would be thick and glue-like.
How to maintain the healthy state of our cilia?
1. Stop smoking. Smoking causes the cilia to become paralyzed and dysfunctional
2. Avoid getting the common cold and viral influenza. Sinus infections usually come after these illnesses. Each subsequent sinus infection causes more cilia to become damaged.
3. Perform nasal irrigation on a daily basis. Nasal irrigation should be performed at a young age so that it becomes a habit.
For a mild sinus infection, adopting proven sinus infection home remedies should eradicate the problem without the need to visit a doctor. Learn more about sinus infection treatment by doctors.
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