Sinus Infections

 Sinus infection or sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages. This health problem is divided into two categories: acute (sudden onset) and chronic (long term). This infection can cause headache and pressure in some parts of the face like the eyes, cheeks, nose, and one side of the head. A person with this condition may also show other signs like cough, bad breath, fever, and nasal congestion that come with thick nasal secretions.

The acute kind of sinusitis is caused by a viral infection in the upper respiratory tract. Allergens and pollutants can also trigger sinusitis. When viral infection, allergens or pollutants affect the sinus lining, this can lead to inflammation and obstruct the nasal passage.

This obstruction causes the bacteria to multiply and invade the sinus lining. Some common types of bacteria that lead to acute sinusitis include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis.

As for the chronic sinusitis, fungi is one of the major causes particularly for people that have diseases that weaken the immune system such as AIDS, diabetes, and leukemia. The above-mentioned microorganisms as well as Staphylococcus aureus and some anaerobes are also involved in this type of sinusitis.

 For acute sinusitis, the common symptoms are Ethmoid sinusitis (behind the eyes), nasal congestion with postnasal drip, pain on the inner corner of the eye, pain on the sides of the nose, headache in the temple or around the eyes, coughing, straining, fever, maxillary sinusitis, pain across the cheekbone, Sphenoid sinusitis, and double vision.

People suffering from chronic sinusitis, on the other hand, have symptoms such as Ethmoid sinusitis, chronic nasal discharge, discomfort across the bridge of the nose, chronic sore throat, bad breath, Maxillary sinusitis, discomfort below the eye, chronic toothache, coughing at night, frontal sinusitis, trauma or damage to the sinus area, Sphenoid sinusitis and headache.

Several self-care techniques can be done at home to alleviate this condition. For one, to promote drainage and ease the congestion in the nasal passages, it would help to drink plenty of water as well as hydrating beverages like hot tea.

Inhaling steam for about two to four times a day for ten minutes using a steam vaporizer or simply a bowl of hot water can also help with this purpose. To make the steam inhaling more effective, you may want to use mentholated preparations. It would also be a good idea to take a hot steamy shower or a warm bath.