What is Sinusitis?
"Sinusitis" refers to inflammation of the nasal sinus cavities, which are moist, hollow spaces in the bones of the skull.
There are four pairs of sinuses: frontal, maxillary, ethmoid, and sphenoid. The sinuses are located behind the eyebrows, cheekbones, and nose. The sinuses help moisten and warm air that is filtered by the nose, serving to protect the lungs. The sinuses also play a role in voice resonation.
The sinus cavities, nose, and lungs are lined with mucous membranes, which protect the airways by trapping irritants that are inhaled. Tiny hair-like filaments called cilia are in constant movement and sweep mucus and the trapped irritants out of the airways and nasal passages. In the sinuses, the mucus drains out of a tiny opening called the ostium.
The ostium of any sinus cavity can get plugged. When this blockage prevents the flow of mucus, the pressure builds up, leading to sinusitis (inflammation and pain). If the blocked sinus becomes infected with bacteria, the sinus becomes even more inflamed and painful.
There are four different pairs of sinuses -- the frontal, ethmoid, maxillary, and sphenoid sinuses. In this illustration, the sinuses on the right side are shown as inflamed and infected, although any sinus can be affected. The sphenoid sinuses are not shown because they are further back in the head. |
Symptoms of Sinusitis
Sinusitis often affects people who have a stuffy or runny nose due to allergies (allergic rhinitis). Nasal discharge may be either a symptom or a cause of sinusitis. Other symptoms of sinusitis can include:
- Facial pain or pressure
- Thick, discolored mucus (yellow or green)
- Diminished sense of smell
- Cough (worse when laying down)
- Headache
- Bad breath
- Fever
- Toothache
- Pressure in the ears
- Fatigue
Acute vs. chronic sinusitis
Sinusitis can be acute or chronic. Acute sinusitis usually lasts for 3 weeks but can persist for as long as 3 months. Acute sinusitis is often accompanied by high fever in young children.
Chronic sinusitis lasts longer than three months and does not respond to conventional antibiotic treatment. Symptoms of chronic sinusitis are less severe than those of acute, but can last for years.
A distinguishing symptom of chronic sinusitis is a persistent cough -- with sinusitis in children, cough may be the only symptom.
Causes of Sinusitis
Acute sinusitis is usually caused by a viral respiratory infection. Chronic sinusitis can also be caused by infection, but is more often caused by inflammation and blockage due to allergies or a physical obstruction (deviated septum, misformed bone or cartilage structures, nasal polyps, tumors, or foreign objects).
This view shows the bones and cartilage that surround the sinuses, including the septum and the turbinates. The septum and turbinates can block the sinuses, leading to pain and inflammation. |
The septum separates the two sides of the nasal cavity. A "deviated septum" is one that is crooked or misformed; in some cases a deviated septum may actually block the opening to one of the sinuses.
The turbinates are bones that usually help protect the openings to the sinuses. The ostium is a tiny canal between the turbinates that drains a sinus cavity. If any of turbinates had a structural problem (by birth or from an accident), it could block the canal.
A cyst or polyp is a harmless structure that can block the ostium, depending on how big it gets and where it is located in the sinus.
Some people have structural problems that partially block the sinuses, and their allergies just make the problem even worse.
Other factors that may contribute or cause sinusitis (both acute and chronic) include a weakened immune system due to existing illness, cocaine abuse, overuse of decongestant nasal sprays, and activities like swimming and diving.
Prevention
Warm moist air may alleviate sinus congestion. Experts recommend a vaporizer or steam from a pan of boiled water (removed from the heat). Humidifiers should be used only when a clean filter is in place to preclude spraying bacteria or fungal spores into the air. Warm compresses are useful in relieving pain in the nose and sinuses. Saline nose drops are also helpful in moisturizing nasal passages.
Natural Home Remedies for Sinusitis
Drink plenty of water and other liquids. Mucous can thicken but keeping hydrated can help to thin the mucous.
Stay away from dairy products. Some doctors believe that dairy products, including milk, cheese and even ice cream, may actually cause more mucous to form. Try avoiding these products when you have a sinus infection.
Use zinc supplements to help shorten the life of a cold and get plenty of rest.
Eat foods that are rich in antioxidants. These foods include berries, broccoli, tomatoes, garlic, red grapes and spinach that help to boost the immune system and may prevent sinus infections.
Try a steam treatment for your sinuses. Sinus infections can occur when mucous becomes thick and won't drain properly. Steam can help keep mucous loose and moving through the sinuses.
Apply moist heat to the face to keep sinuses open.
Apply a cold compress to the forehead and sinus areas relieve a sinus headache.
Take vitamin supplements to ensure your body is getting the proper nutrients daily. Potassium supplements will help dry up mucous.
Add apple cider vinegar to your facial steam.
Use eucalyptus or peppermint extract as an inhalant to clear sinus cavities. Either one can be added to a steam.
To sleep better during bouts of sinus attack, drink a cup of tea before bed. Chamomile tea is particularly useful for calming the body and mind before bedtime.
Keep the use of drug medications to a minimum. They may have long-term negative effects on the body and tend to lose their effectiveness if taken too frequently. You may have to try several of the above-mentioned remedies to find the natural cure for your sinus infection.
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