Sinus Problems

Sinuses are hollow air spaces lined by mucous membranes, located within the skulls or bones of the head. All the sinuses open to the nasal cavity (large air-filled space above and behind the nose) for free exchange of air and mucus. They are also referred to as paranasal sinuses. There are four subgroups of paranasal sinuses, depending upon the types of bones in which the sinuses are present. The subgroups of sinuses are - maxillary, frontal, ethmoid, and sphenoid sinuses.

Sinus Problems: Explained

Sinus problems or sinus attacks are referred to the symptoms in any of the four paranasal sinuses. Any type of infections, inflammations and allergic reactions affect the sinuses and result in congestion of the nasal passages. If the sinuses are blocked due to any of these reasons, they don't drain properly and cause pain and pressure in the head and around the face.

Sinusitis or sinus infection is one of the most important sinus problems caused due to inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. Inflammation may be because of allergies and other infections such as bacteria, virus, fungi etc. in the sinuses. Other causes of sinusitis include poor air quality, temperature, humidity, weak immune system, dehydration, hormones, and stress.

Sinusitis is classified into different types based on the type of sinus infection and the duration of the disease. It is divided into four types based on the type of sinus that has been affected.

• Maxillary sinusitis - Inflammation of the maxillary sinus. Patients suffer from pain in the cheek area.
• Frontal sinusitis - Sinusitis of the frontal sinus. There can be pain over the eyes and in the eyebrow region.
• Ethmoid sinusitis - Affecting the ethmoid sinus. Patients have pain between the eyes and behind the nose-bridge.
• Sphenoid sinusitis - In this type, there is inflammation in the sphenoid sinus. Patients complain of pain in the upper areas of the nose.

Since symptoms are vague and people have pain in multiple locations, it is difficult to identify which sinus has been inflamed.

Based on the duration of the sinusitis inflammation, it has been classified into acute, lasting for less than 1 month, or chronic, in which a person suffers from sinusitis for a longer period of more than 3 months. Acute sinusitis is mostly due to common cold, caused by viral infection, whereas chronic sinusitis is caused by a number of factors such as allergy and pollution. A combination of acute and chronic sinusitis signifies recurrent sinusitis.

Symptoms of sinusitis include persistent cold with cough, stuffy nose, sore throat, bad breath, nasal congestion, decreased sense of smell, fever, fatigue, weakness, post nasal drainage, headache and facial pain and pressure. Other symptoms also include earache, voice hoarseness and swollen eyelids.

Sinusitis treatment includes a prescription of antibiotics, pain relievers, decongestants and nasal irrigation (washing of nasal cavity to flush excess mucus). There are also certain herbal remediesto get rid of sinus infection. It is always recommended to consult a qualified health specialist in any case of sinus problems. If acute sinusitis is not treated at the right time, then there may be risk of chronic sinusitis progression.