| Many people don't know this, but a sinus is actually a | | | | few days. However, bacterial infection may |
| hollow space or cavity filled with either blood or | | | | complicate a cold or upper respiratory infection or |
| water. There are a number of sinuses in our entire | | | | may arise - especially in the maxillary sinuses - from |
| body. They are present in bones, as well as in | | | | infection in the teeth, or as a result of fracture during |
| different tissues and organs. However, the sinuses | | | | dental extraction. |
| that are most familiar to man are the paranasal | | | | An acute sinus infection usually causes local pain, |
| sinuses, which are four pairs of cavities found in the | | | | tenderness, often accompanied by swelling, and |
| bones of our faces. We are more familiar with the | | | | fever. X-rays will tell us that the air in the sinus has |
| paranasal sinus because that's where common sinus | | | | been replaced by fluid or mucus. When this happens, |
| problems emerge. | | | | antibiotic treatment is often the recourse, but the |
| Several disorders afflict the paranasal sinuses, the | | | | sinuses may have to be irrigated first (sometimes, |
| most common among which is sinusitis. Sinusitis is a | | | | even surgically done). |
| problem caused by the inflammation of the tissues | | | | Untreated sinus problems may lead to serious |
| that line our sinuses. It may be brought about by an | | | | complications, like bone infections, or infections of the |
| allergic reaction to something, by the inhalation of | | | | tissues around the eye, meningitis, or brain abscess. |
| irritating substances, like gases, fumes and other | | | | Chronic infections may also lead to chronic postnasal |
| kinds of pollutants, or via a bacterial or viral infection. | | | | drip and congestion. Thus, it is recommended that |
| The cells that line our sinuses produced mucus that | | | | people suffering from such chronic sinus problems |
| exit into the nose via the openings that connect the | | | | also stay away from smoking and being exposed to |
| sinus to the nasal passageways, those who have | | | | too much pollutants to avoid triggering sinusitis. |
| small openings are the most prone to sinus problems | | | | A lot of people often dismiss headaches as simply |
| that emerge from poor drainage. | | | | nothing and just resort to analgesics and other kinds |
| Poor drainage may be caused by the inflammation of | | | | of painkillers to relieve the discomforts they feel. |
| the mucus membranes lining the sinuses, which cause | | | | However, if the condition becomes chronic, or recurs, |
| swelling and, thereby, blockage to the openings. | | | | it should not be taken for granted, as it could be the |
| Because of this, the chance of an infection is greater | | | | onset of something grave, like a serious sinus |
| and becomes more difficult to address. | | | | problem. |
| Most people with mild sinus irritations have a | | | | Television commercials often say that sinusitis can be |
| postnasal drip, nasal discharge, or both, sometimes | | | | cured with simple medications alone. While there is |
| accompanied by sinus headache and congestion. | | | | also truth to this, it is still best for you to consult |
| These symptoms usually can be relieved with aspirin | | | | your physician if the discomforts and the pain |
| or other mild analgesics, antihistamines (when allergy | | | | become unbearable. |
| is involved), or nasal decongestants to shrink the | | | | Actually, you shouldn't even wait for the pain to |
| inflamed passageways and allow for better drainage. | | | | escalate to emergency levels before you see your |
| More serious sinus problems occur when the sinuses | | | | doctor. An ounce of prevention is greater than a |
| become infected. When the infection is due to a virus | | | | pound of cure, as the saying goes. When you notice |
| as part of an upper respiratory infection the | | | | the signs, don't hesitate to go to the doctor and find |
| symptoms are usually mild and disappear in just a | | | | out if you have a growing sinus problem or not. |