Causes



Most cases of acute sinusitis start with a common cold, which is caused by a virus. Colds can inflame your sinuses and cause symptoms of sinusitis. Both the cold and the sinus inflammation usually go away without treatment within 2 weeks. If the inflammation produced by the cold leads to a bacterial infection, however, then this infection is what health experts call acute sinusitis.

Sinus problems can be caused by many things- you have to think about environmental and food allergies (allergic sinusitis), chronic sinus infection, and chronic colds. Without more information, it's hard to be specific. Sinusitis often develops after colds, and can become a chronic problem.

Acute sinusitis usually follows a viral infection in the upper respiratory tract, but allergens (allergy-causing substances), or pollutants may also trigger acute sinusitis. A viral infection causes damage to the cells of the sinus lining, which leads to inflammation. The lining thickens with fluid that obstructs the nasal passage. This passage connects to the sinuses. The obstruction disrupts the process that removes bacteria normally present in the nasal passages, and the bacteria begin to multiply and invade the lining of the sinus. This causes the symptoms of sinus infection. Allergens and pollutants produce a similar effect.

Symptoms

The symptoms of sinus infection are general weakness and lethargy, nasal congestion, rhinitis or runny nose and it is also common to have fever and headache in all types of sinus infection.

Some people will find difficulty in their focus. Their eyes are especially sensitive to bright lights. A chronic sore throat which does not seem to heal could mean the presence of sinus infection. Serous otitis media, a condition where the eustachian tubes are blocked by mucus, could also point to sinus infection.

Prevention is the best treatment. A little effort of prevention is priceless; you can get by without having a sinusitis infection. Bacteria can be the cause of this condition, taking in healthy foods and supplements can strengthen your immune system which can lessen the occurrence of a sinus infection as well as dizziness. Proper medication and equipment can prevent bacterial infections; this can also lessen the severity of the sinus infection.

Preventing sinusitis can be made by avoiding all form of pollution, thorns, allergic reactions and common colds. In lawsuit of common colds and allergic reactions that cannot be forbade, apply short-term nasal decongestants during the onsets. Blow your olfactory organ carefully so you dont amend the sinuses; drink many fluids to hydrate the sinus membranes, maintain the nasal passages clear from mucous secretion and aid drainage by saline solutions.

Treatment

Antibiotics are medicines meant to fight bacterial infections. Since most sinus infections are caused by bacteria, it is quite a common practice for doctors to prescribe antibiotics for its treatment.

The type of antibiotics prescribed by the doctor, however, depends on the type of bacterial infection you are suffering from.

Surgery to clean and drain the sinuses may also be necessary, especially in patients with recurrent episodes of inflammation despite medical treatment. An ENT specialist, also known as an otolaryngologist, can perform this surgery.

Most fungal sinus infections require surgery. Surgical repair of a deviated septum or nasal polyps may prevent recurrence.