What is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis, often referred to as a Sinus Infection, is a painful inflammation of the soft tissue that lines the sinuses. It is categorized into two types, acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis.
Acute (short-term) sinusitis is typically caused by viral infections and it may set in after an allergy attack, exposure to pollutants, or from a common cold. Acute sinus infections will usually clear in a few weeks.
Chronic (long-term) sinusitis on the other hand, is mainly caused by bacteria and can last longer than 12 weeks.
An Overview of the Sinuses
Sinuses are small, bony, cavities filled with air and the different types of sinuses are located in multiple places.
a. Behind the cheeks (the maxillary sinuses)
b. At the forehead behind eyebrows (the frontal sinuses)
C. In both sides of the nose (the ethmoid sinuses)
D. Behind the nose just before the brain (the sphenoid sinuses)
- Warm and humidify air that is breathed in
- Provide insulation to the surrounding organs such as the eyes and nerve
- They improve voice resonance
- Produce mucus that helps moisten the inside of the nose
- They help lighten the head
- And may also cushion the face against external trauma
Symptoms of a Sinus Infection
A yellowish or greenish nasal discharge
Nasal congestion or stuffiness
Excess mucus at the back of the nose or in the throat (postnasal drip)
A cough that worsens at night
Worsening of previously-controlled symptoms of asthma
Aching teeth
Tenderness at the bridge of the nose and under the eyes, and a general feeling of tightness around the face
Fever
Headache
Bad breath
Dizziness and general fatigue
Anosmia – a reduced sense of smell
Sore throat
A general feeling of illness and discomfort
In most cases symptoms of a sinus infection will last between 2 and 3 weeks – this is known as acute rhinosinusitis. There are however fewer cases where the symptoms may last more than 12 weeks (chronic rhinosinusitis).
What Causes Sinus Infections?
Infections in the sinuses can be caused by anything that obstructs the outward drainage of mucus and the inward flow of air.
Some causes:
A preexisting infection of the upper respiratory tract
Respiratory infections such the common cold, flu, etc., caused by viruses and other pathogens have been known to cause and worsen sinus infections.
Other causes that may lead to sinus infection:
Viruses
Sinus infections can be caused by viruses such as influenza viruses, coronaviruses, and may cause or even worsen sinus infections.
Bacteria
The most common types of bacteria known to cause sinusitis are Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Recent development of vaccines however, has seen a great reduction in sinusitis cases caused bacterial infections.
Other bacteria known to cause sinus infections include streptococci species, anaerobic bacteria among others with lower impacts.
More than 98% of sinus infections are caused by viruses while the remaining 2% are caused by infection from bacteria. While the infections caused by viruses can clear away on their own after a few weeks, the ones caused by bacteria will be more aggressive and last significantly longer.
Between 0.5% and 2% of cases of sinus infection usually progress to bacterial sinusitis.
• Chemical Irritation
Exposure to tissue irritants such as OTC nasal sprays, firsthand and secondhand cigar or cigarette smoke, chemical sprays and other irritating fumes can trigger a sinus infection.
Irritants such as smoke damage the tiny hair-like fibers on the lining known as cilia. These hairs are supposed to swing back and forth to help move mucus out and away from the sinuses. When these cilia are damaged, a buildup of mucus is formed in the sinuses leading to sinusitis.
• Dental Infections
A small number of sinus infections are as a result of dental infections. In these cases, the infection usually affects the maxillary sinuses. Dental infections make up about 20 percent of all sinusitis cases that affect the maxillary sinuses.
• Allergy
Allergic reaction to triggers such as dust, pollen, and general pollution has been recorded to cause and even worsen sinus infections.
• Hereditary And Anatomic Factors
There are a number of common hereditary abnormalities associated with the sinuses, the throat, and the ducts that lead out of the sinuses. These abnormalities may make one susceptible to chronic and acute sinusitis. Some hereditary factors include abnormally narrow drainage ducts, blockages caused by unusually large air cells, etc.
• Tumors and Growths
Although this is very rare, tumors and growths can lead to chronic sinusitis if they form around the sinuses. They can block the drainage ducts of the sinuses and lead to the buildup of mucus, viruses, bacteria, etc., in the cavities.
• Dehydration, Low Humidity, and Prolonged Usage of Drying Medication
One may also develop sinusitis if he or she is exposed to an environment with little humidity. The individual may also develop an infection is he or she is on medication that causes dehydration. When the water content in the body drops significantly, mucus thickens thereby impairing the drainage of the sinuses.
As mentioned above, poor drainage and an accumulation of mucus in the sinuses allows bacteria and other microorganisms to thrive. This inevitably leads to sinusitis.
• A Fungal Infection
Although rarely, individuals with weak immune systems, or individuals caught up in traumatic situations such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and tsunamis may inhale fungi from the soil and other surfaces. Once in their airways, these microorganisms may multiple over days or weeks and cause blockages in the sinuses.
Even though such infections are rare, they can be quite serious, and even deadly if not treated in time.
| Difference between sinusitis, a cold or allergies? |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SInus Infection | Cold | Allergies | ||
| Symptoms | Congestion Green discharge Post nasal drip Facial pressure Headache Cough Teeth pain | Runny nose with watery yellow discharge Low grade fever Sneezing Fatigue or weakness | Congestion Sneezing Wheezing Itchy nose/eyes/throat Runny nose with thin watery discharge | |
| Onset | Complication due to a cold Can be triggered by allergies | Symptoms develop within one to three days of exposure to the cold | Symptoms begin immediately after exposure to the allergen Seasonal allergy symptoms occur same time every year Perennial allergy symptoms are year round | |
| Duration | Can last weeks, months or years if ignored | Five to seven days | Symptoms last as long as you are exposed to allergens | |
Allergies can cause sinus infections. Allergic reactions that affect the nasal passages, eyes, sinuses, and other airways have cold-like symptoms. This means that the inflammation caused therefore, may block the sinuses and lead to a buildup of mucus. This may in turn create an environment that allows viruses, bacteria and even fungi to thrive, eventually causing an infection in the sinus.
Who Develops Sinus Infections?
Sinusitis is very common. It can affect anyone of any age. Statistics indicate that more than 35 million people in the US suffer from sinusitis at least once every year.
The most common risk factors include:
Nasal polyps
Anatomic variants
Blocked drainage ducts
Allergies
A weakened immune system
Prolonged usage of medication that suppresses one’s immune system
Upper respiratory tract infections
Pacifiers (in babies)
Lying on the back while feeding or drinking
Frequent exposure to cigarette smoke, etc
Repeatedly blowing the nose has also been known to cause nasal irritation and that leads to a secondary infection in the sinuses.