Sinusitis

Your Sinuses Explained:
The sinuses are a system of hollow cavities in your skull. The function of the sinuses have been debated for decades, but many scientists believe that they play a role in humidifying and filtering the air we breathe, and that they may also serve to lighten the bones of the skull and help enhance the voice. Healthy sinuses are basically empty cavities with just a thin layer of mucus that contain no bacteria or other germs. As a result mucus is able to drain out and air is able to flow through the sinuses.
Your sinuses are named according to which bones they are in.
What Is Sinusitis and What Causes It?
Sinusitis occurs when your sinuses become inflamed or enlarged, making it difficult to breathe and for fluids to drain.
Sinusitis generally occurs due to one of the following conditions:
Types of Sinusitis:
The sinuses are a system of hollow cavities in your skull. The function of the sinuses have been debated for decades, but many scientists believe that they play a role in humidifying and filtering the air we breathe, and that they may also serve to lighten the bones of the skull and help enhance the voice. Healthy sinuses are basically empty cavities with just a thin layer of mucus that contain no bacteria or other germs. As a result mucus is able to drain out and air is able to flow through the sinuses.
Your sinuses are named according to which bones they are in.
- Ethmoidal sinuses: Located between your eyes, the ethmoidal sinuses are a common source of infection. A headache from an ethmoidal sinus infection is typically felt behind the nose.
- Maxillary sinuses: Located below your eyes in your cheekbones, this cavity is the biggest and most prone to infection. Pain from the maxillary sinuses can be felt spreading to your teeth.
- Sphenoidal sinuses: Located behind your eyes toward the back of the head, there are two sphenoidal sinuses that make up the middle portion of the base of the skull. A deep pain is generally felt.
- Frontal sinuses: Located above your eyes at the lower portion of your forehead, there are two triangular-shaped sinuses that drain into the middle of the nose. Pain or pressure is typically felt on the face and head.
What Is Sinusitis and What Causes It?
Sinusitis occurs when your sinuses become inflamed or enlarged, making it difficult to breathe and for fluids to drain.
Sinusitis generally occurs due to one of the following conditions:
- Small hairs (cilia) in the sinuses fail to properly move mucus out. This may be due to some medical conditions.
- Colds and allergies may cause too much mucus to be made or block the opening of the sinuses.
- A deviated nasal septum, nasal bone spur, or nasal polyps may block the opening of the sinuses.
- Chronic infection can cause mucosal swelling and inflammation.
Types of Sinusitis:
- Acute sinusitis — Symptoms are present for 4 weeks or less. It is caused by bacteria growing in the sinuses.
- Chronic sinusitis — Symptoms and swelling of the sinuses are present for longer than 3 months. It may be caused by bacteria or a fungus.
- Subacute sinusitis — Symptoms and swelling is present from 1 to 3 months.
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Things That Increase Your Risk of Developing Sinusitis:
What Are the Symptoms of Sinusitis?
In adults, the symptoms of acute sinusitis often follow a cold that does not get better or that gets worse after 7 to 10 days, and include:
Symptoms of chronic sinusitis are the same as those of acute sinusitis. However, the symptoms tend to be milder and last longer than 12 weeks.
In children, the symptoms of sinusitis include:
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SOURCES:
Pennmedicine.org, 2022, www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/sinus-infections-sinusitis.
Chikly, Bruno. Silent Waves Lymph, Interstitial Fluid and Primo-Vascular System the Theory and Practice of Lymph Drainage Therapy 3rd Edition. 1 Oct. 2017.
Kasseroller, R. Compendium of Dr. Vodder’s Manual Lymph Drainage. Haug, 1998.
- Allergic rhinitis or hay fever
- Cystic fibrosis
- Going to day care
- Diseases that prevent the respiratory cilia from working properly
- Changes in altitude (flying or scuba diving)
- Large adenoids
- Smoking
- Weakened immune system from HIV or chemotherapy
- Abnormal sinus structures
What Are the Symptoms of Sinusitis?
In adults, the symptoms of acute sinusitis often follow a cold that does not get better or that gets worse after 7 to 10 days, and include:
- Bad breath or loss of smell
- Cough, often worse at night
- Fatigue and general malaise
- Fever
- Headache
- Pressure-like pain, pain behind the eyes, toothache, or tenderness of the face
- Nasal stuffiness and discharge
- Sore throat and postnasal drip
Symptoms of chronic sinusitis are the same as those of acute sinusitis. However, the symptoms tend to be milder and last longer than 12 weeks.
In children, the symptoms of sinusitis include:
- Cold or respiratory illness that has been getting better and then begins to get worse
- High fever, along with a darkened nasal discharge, that lasts for at least 3 days
- Nasal discharge, with or without a cough, that has been present for more than 10 days and is not improving
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SOURCES:
Pennmedicine.org, 2022, www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/sinus-infections-sinusitis.
Chikly, Bruno. Silent Waves Lymph, Interstitial Fluid and Primo-Vascular System the Theory and Practice of Lymph Drainage Therapy 3rd Edition. 1 Oct. 2017.
Kasseroller, R. Compendium of Dr. Vodder’s Manual Lymph Drainage. Haug, 1998.