What are Sinuses?

Four major pairs of hollow, air-filled cavities -collectively called paranasal sinuses -are located within the human skull: Ethmoid sinuses (between the eyes), Frontal sinuses (in the forehead), Maxillary sinuses (behind the cheek-bones), and Sphenoid sinuses (located behind the eyes).

All of these four paranasal sinuses are interconnected through the osteomeatal complex (OMC) channel.

Sinus surfaces are lined with a layer of mucus, as well as cells that have tiny hair (cilia) protruding from them. Cilia help trap and push any trapped bacteria and pollutants outward.

What Causes Sinus Infection?

Inflammation of the sinus membranes (sinus infection) may result from infectious causes (viral or bacterial infection), or due to non-infectious (allergens, and pollutants) causes. Sinus problems often occur due to an inflammation of the sinus cavities -usually brought on by a cold, an allergy attack or a bacterial infection. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis bacteium, as well as some fungi (allergic fungal sinus infection or allergic fungal sinusitis) are also known to cause sinus infection. Sinus infections often occur after an episode of nasal inflammation caused by upper respiratory tract viral infection.

Sinus Infection Symptoms:

General symptoms of a sinus infection (also sometimes known as sick sinus syndrome) may include: Cough, Fever, Sinus Headaches in the region surounding/behind the eyes, Severe nasal congestion, Thick nasal secretions/sinus drainage, Facial Pain -especially in the nasal area, Sinus pain near the cheek bones, Sinus pain in the jaw, and Sinus pressure on one side of the head.

Sinus infection like symptoms may also be present in anatomical defects (such as enlarged adenoids, a deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps, tonsils, etc.) related respiratory disorders. Please note that environmental pollutants and some allergens are also known to cause these kinds of sinus symptoms.

Sinus Infection Diagnosis:

The diagnosis of sinus infection requires a thorough review of patient's medical history, as well as physical examination. CT scans, and ultrasound examination of the sinuses is often considered to help diagnose sinus infections. Visual examination of the nasal passages and osteomeatal complex (OMC) channel using a nasopharyngoscope (a flexible fiberoptic tube-like probe inserted through the nose) also helps with the sinus diagnosis.

Sinus Infection Treatments and Remedies:

In addition to the sinus treatments prescribed by a medical professional, quite a few home care remedies are also known to help some patients.

• Traditional Home Care Sinus Infection Treatment/Sinus Remedies:
  • Plenty of warm fluids,
  • Sinus Irrigation (also known as Sinus Rinse),
  • Inhaling steam two to four times a day,
  • Over-the-counter oral/nasal decongestants,
  • Over-the-counter expectorants to help thin/drain the mucus, and
  • Pain-relief/Anti-inflammatory medication (such as Aspirin, Motrin, Tylenol, etc.) to helps reduce sinus pain and swelling within the upper respiratory tract.

In order to help increase drainage from the sinuses, to reduce the sinus inflammation, and for eliminating the bacterial sinus infection, your doctor may consider the following sinus medications or surgical sinus treatment options:

• Antibiotic treatment:
  • A penicillin therapy (Amoxil, Polymox, Trimox, etc.) is often prescribed to eliminate bacterial infection.
  • Non-penicillin therapy drugs (Bactrim, Cotrim, Septra, etc.) for patients sensitive to penicillin, or
  • A "broad-spectrum" antibiotics therapy.

  Considering that sinus infections may be caused by either a viral infection, or a bacterial infection, it is important to ascertain the type (viral or bacterial) of underlying infectious agents before any antibiotics are prescribed.

• Endoscopic Sinus Surgery using nasopharyngoscope to:
  • Help drain the clogged-up sinuses,
  • Open the osteomeatal complex (OMC) channel,
  • Open/repair the blockage within the nasal passages,
  • Remove nasal polyps, and to
  • Remove obstructive mucosal disease.
• Intranasal steroids (in the form of nasal sprays) are sometimes prescribed to reduce inflammation.

Preventing Sinus Infections:

Even though there is no sure way to prevent sinus infections, good personal hygene habits, healthy life-style, and a few proactive/precautionary steps -such as the ones listed below -may help reduce your chances of developing sinus infections.

Things you can do to reduce your chances of developing sinus infections:

• Drink plenty of fluids,
• Include antioxidants, fruits and vegetables in your diet,
• Get Influenza vaccine before the onset of flu season,
• Limit outdoor activities to avoid seasonal allergens and environmental pollutants,
• Take steps to prevent any upper respiratory tract (URT) infections, and
• Wash hands frequently, and thoroughly.

Don't forget to check out Lung Disease News section of this website for the latest Sinus Infections Treatment News and our Lung Disease Articles Library for the latest Sinus Infections related Articles.

Note: Consult a qualified medical practitioner if you suspect lung disease. Information published at this mesothelioma lung disease asbestos cancer forum - or most other websites for that matter - should not be relied upon for health decisions. The information presented on this web site is not intended as a substitute for medical care, medical, legal, or professional advise. Please talk with your healthcare provider for all your health concerns.