Sinusitis

What Causes Sinusitis?

There are several factors that can bring about the onset of sinusitis.

• Nasal Polyps – Sinusitis can be caused by painless, non-cancerous tissue growths called polyps around the lining of the sinuses. These growths interfere with the process of fluid drainage and cause mucus to build up in the nasal cavities.
• Respiratory tract infections or RTIs – RTIs like tonsillitis, laryngitis, and pharyngitis can cause the mucous membranes to get inflamed. This causes sinus infections.
• Common cold – The common cold is one of the most common causes of sinusitis. A blocked nose along with inflamed linings and membranes together contribute to a lot of fluid build-up. This, in turn, causes sinus infections
• Nasal abnormalities – Some people suffer from a nasal abnormality called a deviated septum. A deviated septum means that the nasal bridge or the bone between the nostril has a slight displacement. This displacement, although very slight, interferes with the normal airflow through the nasal passages, and this can cause sinusitis.
• Smoking – Smoking aggravates the sinuses and leads to swollen and inflamed membranes. Even second-hand smoke from cigarettes can cause a sinus infection.

Symptoms of Sinusitis

• Sinus headaches – This is the most common symptom of a sinus infection. Patients complain of severe headaches and a feeling of pressure around the eyes, behind the ears, and the nose. Sinus headaches are the result of a fluid build-up in the nasal cavities.
• Tenderness – Another sign of sinusitis is a feeling of tenderness, especially near the cheeks. This is again due to the fluid build-up in the sinuses. In some cases, there might be facial swelling as well.
• A sore throat and cough – A sore throat and cough due to irritated nasal passages are also common symptoms of sinusitis.
• Nasal discharges – During a sinus infection, the nasal mucus changes from clear to cloudy as a result of the inflammation.