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Sinusitis



Have you ever experienced a particularly stubborn bout of cold or allergy attack? If you have, then you have probably suffered from sinusitis. Every year approximately 37 million Americans suffer from sinusitis, which makes it one of the most common health conditions in the United States. Because the symptoms of sinusitis mimic those of the common cold or cough, it often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. In medical terms, sinusitis can be defined as the infection of the paranasal sinus (the air pockets in the skull bones that open into the nose) and the nasal cavities.

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Causes and Risk Factors

Sinusitis is typically caused by viral, fungal, or bacterial infections. An inflammation in sinuses leads to the contraction of the nasal passages, which hinders the mucus draining process and thus causes infection. A prolonged and nasty episode of the common cold can also lead to sinusitis. Infection-causing bacteria and viruses affect the cilia (microscopic hair facilitating mucus-cleansing process), which results in congestion of the mucus in the nose. The result is inflammation and swelling in the sinuses and the mucus membrane.

Apart from the apparent causes, here are some of the risk factors for sinusitis:


Prolonged contact with water: Staying out in the rain or spending hours in the swimming pool or bathtub when you are suffering from a cold may cause sinusitis. It may inflict pressure on the sinuses (nasal passages) and facilitate a bacterial infection.
Impaired nasal sinuses or mucus membrane: Narrow sinus openings and improper functioning of the mucus membrane obstruct the inflow of air. This prevents the mucus from draining properly which leads to bacterial infection in the sinuses. Children are more vulnerable to this because they have comparatively smaller sinus passages.
Side effects and allergies: Certain medications may have adverse effects on the mucus membrane, which may result in the development of sinusitis. Allergies to certain elements such as food items, dust, pollution, and fumes may affect the sinuses and mucus membranes.
Nasal Polyps or tumors: These may also cause swollen nasal passages.
Resistance power: Low immunity can increase the risk of contracting a variety of infections, including sinusitis. Additionally, the mucus membrane and cilia may not function well against sinusitis when the resistance power is low. Therefore, patients who are suffering from immunodeficiency disorders such as HIV/AIDS are generally more vulnerable to such infections.
Stress: According to one study, stress may also have a negative impact on the mucus membrane and sinuses because it causes unrestrained swelling and mucus production.

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