Causes of Sinusitis
It is inflammation or infection of one or more sinuses, which are cavities in the bones of the skull surrounding the nose. It is a condition that almost always related to respiratory diseases such as allergy or flu and can last from 2 to 8 weeks (acute sinusitis) or more months (chronic). Symptoms include pain in the face, neck and head, and stuffy nose, cough that may worsen at night and malaise.
It should be remembered that there are 4 types of sinuses: frontal, located on the forehead, jaw, cheeks, and ethmoid and sphenoid between the top of the nose and eye sockets. All of them are attached to the nasal cavity through small openings (holes sinus) and are intended to lighten the weight of the head, give resonance to the voice and maintain the strength and shape of the cranial bones.
For your protection, these hollow chambers are coated inside by smooth tissue (mucosa) that is covered by a layer of mucus or thick liquid, the substance is responsible for capturing the impurities that enter and are mobilized into the nose by villi similar to tabs, called cilia. Precisely, the sinusitis occurs when the drainage system fails, because the accumulation of fluid promotes inflammation and infection.
Causes
As mentioned, the primary reason has to suffer this condition is plugging the holes that serve to empty the contents of the sinuses. However, this may be caused by several factors:
- Bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract (nose and throat) and ears that reach the cranial cavity.
- Less often, viral infections (flu, influenza) or by microscopic fungi that are not addressed properly.
- Allergic rhinitis or hay fever. Adverse reaction to agents such as pollen and animal hair, which triggers inflammation inside the nose, watery eyes, sneezing, generation of mucus and nasal congestion.
- Nasal polyps. It is fleshy formations in the area where they meet the sinuses with the nasal cavity, and almost always occur in people with respiratory allergy.
- Deviated nasal septum. When the bone that divides the nostrils are located outside of its normal position, promotes air circulation is poor and the suffering of infections, especially in winter.
- Or non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis. Is inflammation inside the nose accompanied by sneezing and nasal congestion, which occurs occasionally and has no precise cause, but is related to sensitivity to dry air, pollution, sudden changes in temperature or atmospheric pressure, consumption of spicy foods and alcohol, strong emotions or reactions due to drugs.
- Immune system (defense) weakened. Malnutrition, dehydration, stress, poor sleep, poor control of diabetes (high blood sugar) and other factors may reduce resistance to disease, which is favored by the complication of respiratory ailments.
- Cystic Fibrosis. Inherited disease that causes the accumulation of abnormally thick, sticky mucus in the lungs and digestive system.
- Dental infection. Sometimes, microorganisms located in the root of teeth or molars of the upper jaw can spread and invade the sinuses.
- Swim often. It is likely that water is generated by inhaling respiratory infections more easily.