| Sinusitis | | | | though beginning in the sinuses can also contribute to |
| Simply put, sinusitis is inflammation of the lining of | | | | an ear infection. The reason is that the sinuses and |
| your sinuses. | | | | the ears are connected through the Eustachian tube, |
| Sinuses | | | | and something as simple as sneezing can push |
| The sinuses are located behind the eyes, the cheeks, | | | | infection right out to the ears. Not only can infection |
| and the jaw. They are chambers in which mucous is | | | | move out to the ears but also down to the lungs. |
| produced to clean out the bacteria that we take in | | | | Sinusitis is not entirely unrelated to an upper |
| every day through the mouth and nose. The mucous | | | | respiratory infection. Often Sinusitis, ear infection, and |
| moves along the cilia, which are tiny, moving hairs | | | | upper respiratory infection have similar, if not the |
| that maneuver the mucous. Sinusitis creates | | | | same, causes. |
| difficulties for the sinuses as they try to do their job, | | | | Sinusitis Symptoms |
| because the cilia cease to move and the sinuses | | | | As mentioned in previous articles, the culprit is often |
| either produce too much mucous or too little. | | | | post nasal drip. Post nasal drip is often part of a cold |
| Possible Causes | | | | or flu symptom. It is a sensation of mucous dripping |
| Sinusitis can be caused in a variety of ways. The | | | | in the back of your throat. Frequent sniffing and |
| inflammation of the sinus lining is sensitive to changes | | | | swallowing should be indications of proactive sinuses. |
| in temperature or humidity, and often swimming, | | | | In other words, sinuses are producing more mucous |
| diving, extreme changes in temperature, and smoking | | | | because they sense bacteria or a virus. Sinusitis and |
| will set off inflammation. The reason these things can | | | | sinus infection do frequently occur in the wake of a |
| cause sinusitis is that they create a friendly | | | | cold or the flu. |
| environment for bacteria and viruses. | | | | Sinusitis Prevention |
| For example, smoking paralyzes the cilia, causing the | | | | Prevention is the best way to stay out of the way |
| sinuses to think that there are bacteria or a virus and | | | | of sinusitis. Many of the preventions are also |
| to produce more mucous. Since the cilia cannot | | | | treatments. The regular rinsing of the sinuses is |
| move, the mucous just sits there, congests, and | | | | generally helpful in keeping bacteria from settling and |
| becomes a breeding ground for more bacteria, | | | | mucous from getting over-produced. Using a nasal |
| creating a sinus infection. Stagnant water or liquid | | | | spray with xylitol as its leading ingredient is |
| buildup from water activities can produce similar | | | | recommended due to the fact that xylitol is a natural |
| effects. Or, if a virus has already infected the sinuses | | | | element produced in fruits and vegetables that repels |
| and swelling occurs, then the produced mucous will | | | | bacteria. As bacteria is kept from settling in the sinus |
| build up even more. Sinusitis is just the beginning of | | | | lining, infection, inflammation, and sinusitis are also |
| any nasal problem. | | | | effectively prevented. |
| What many people don't know is that sinusitis, | | | | |