What are sinus infections?

To understand a sinus infection, it is better first that we go through some of the anatomy of the sinuses, so that we can then understand their structure and position. The best way to think of the sinuses, or paranasal sinuses as they are medically known , is as a set four areas (or air pockets) that are embedded within various facial bones  (skeletal pneumatization).

As is the case with most medical words, the sinuses have Latin origin meaning a “bay”, “pocket”, “curve”, or “bosom”

The four types of sinus we are concerned with are the:

1. Frontal sinus

The Frontal sinus are situated just above the eyebrows, or Superciliary arches to be technical.  Sinus pain here is often felt as a cranial headache.

2. Ethmoid sinus

The Ethmoid sinus are named after there location which is the Ethmoid bone, this particular bone is what separates the nasal cavity from the brain and is set further back then its fellow paranasal sinuses.

3. Sphenoidal sinus

The Sphenoidal sinus is situated within the Sphenoid bone (are we seeing a trend developing here?). Each of these acts as a roof to the nasal cavity.

4. Maxillary sinus

These are biggest of the sinuses and with each one situated under the eye sockets and just above the level of the molar teeth in the upper jaw (this explains the tooth ache often felt during an infection).

Note: Some medical students and professionals would rightly argue that they more then four sinuses, but they would be refereing to regions which are within the brain. Luckily for us we are not concerned with issues in that particular area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are the roles of the sinuses?

• Sinus cavities improve voice resonance.
• They filter and moisten any air that is inhaled through the nasal passages and in turn assist the removal of unwanted particles from the nasal cavities.
• They make the skull lighter.

How do they become infected?

Each of the four sinuses  has a mucus  membrane lining, and healthy sinuses with no issues are able drain out mucus and allow air to circulate with no major resistance. With sinuses no two are ever generally the same between one person to the next. Some inviduals will be unlucky to have developed a nasal / sinus structure which is more prone to infection and inflammation then the next person, such as a deviated nasal septum, nasal bone spur. Nasal polyps can develop and may block the opening of the sinuses. Some of us are just simply more sensitive and prone to infection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are also mechanical issues. Within the sinuses are small hairs called ‘cilia’ which help move mucus out. They sometimes do not function properly, typically due a medical issue such as Kartagener syndrome or immotile cilia.

Finally there is of course also the common cold  or allergic reactions (hayfever). The cold is from where air borne infections nest with the sinuses or work up from the throat. Up to more than 24 million cases of the cold occur annually in the US so its a minefield for someone prone to nasal infection. Allergies are from when a often non threatening body enters the nasal cavity (such as Pollen) and is mistakenly recognised as a threat. This again results in the sinuses over producing mucus and inflammation of the sinuses. Both conditions in turn lead to difficulty in breathing through the nose and leaving us feeling ‘stuffed up’.

What are the treatment available?

The options available of course depend more on the nature of the condition. If the root cause is a structual issue such as a deviated septum then surgey can correct this (although in some cases the condition can revert back over time).

Another treatment for some is just a simple change of environment to somewhere less polluted or away from the irritant which causes the complaint.

Other solutions are:

• Inhaling steam (for example, sitting in the bathroom with the shower running or placing bowl of hot steaming water under the nose area with a towel place over the head to trap the steam in).

• Nasal saline sprays (normally in a small bottle).

• Use  of a humidifier.

• A topical oxymetazoline based decongestant (Afrin, Dristan, Nasivin, Logicin, Vicks Sinex)

• Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride (Sudafed, Codral, Actifed)

• Corticosteroid sprays (such as Avamys, Beconase , Nasonex)

• A Neti Pot flush.

If you are now interested in pursuing the Neti Pot as a solution, then we suggest you start at this page which will explain how the Neti Pot works, or if you want to jump right in and get yourself equipped then we have a list of recommended Neti Pots, Solutions and books right here.