What is Sinus Infection?

Sinus infection is one of the most common diseases in the United States. More than 15 million visits to doctors caused by sinusitis and cost around 140 million dollars just for treatment.

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses, air-filled cavity that can be found in various parts of the skull: frontal (lower forehead), maxillary (cheek bone), sphenoid (the back of the nasal cavity), and ethmoid (between the bridge of the nose and eyes). The fourth part of the skull known as paranasal sinuses.

Although sinus important role in improving the quality of our voice, the main function of the sinuses is to produce mucus (sticky and thick) in the nose to stop allergens, germs, and other substances that can cause infections and endanger the health of a person. With the help of cilia, that looks very little like hair, mucus and substances that are caught by the mucus will be pushed into the throat, past the stomach, until eventually disappear by itself. This process is not obvious to a person may not feel it.

Sinusitis is caused by certain factors, ranging from congenital abnormalities to a virus or bacteria, which causes inflammation of the sinuses. Then, sinus mucus will produce a very thick, so the cilia can not push mucus into the throat.

Sinusitis has many types are usually distinguished by its duration:

Acute - Acute sinusitis occurs suddenly, but also did not last long. In fact, sinus inflammation usually goes away by itself, or it can be cured with the usual medications such as antibiotics.

Sub-acute - Sinusitis is considered sub-acute if going for more than three weeks but less than 12 weeks.

Chronic - When someone is experiencing sinusitis up to three months, meaning chronic sinusitis. Although sinusitis persist for a long time, but usually not severe.

Contagious - Sinusitis is usually not contagious, although caused by bacteria. However, if the sinusitis caused by viruses, such as colds or flu virus, sinusitis becomes easily transmitted and is usually transmitted through hand contact.

Causes of Sinusitis
Sinus inflammation may be caused by the following factors:

Congenital abnormalities - sinus blockage can be caused by bone deformities in the nasal cavity and septum (the border between the two nasal cavities) are bent.

Viruses - Viruses cold will affect the nasal passages, but because the sinus is near the nose, there is a possibility the virus will move and get into the sinus. Sinusitis caused by a virus usually last longer than a cold. The virus that causes the flu can also cause sinusitis.

Dental infections - Bacteria can be nested in many parts of the mouth, including the teeth and gums. If not promptly treated, the bacteria can cause inflammation, which can spread to the maxillary sinus.

Allergic rhinitis - Many people mistakenly between sinusitis and rhinitis since both are diseases characterized by a very thick mucus. Rhinitis is an allergic reaction to pollen, animal dander, dust, and others, which cause nasal irritation. When nose irritation, nose will be forced to produce more mucus. When pushed into the throat mucus, throat will also experience irritation, and the patient will cough.

However, rhinitis often occurs along with sinusitis, that sinusitis is also sometimes known as rhinosinusitis.

Nasal Polyps - Polyps are small flesh that grows in the nose. Polyps are caused by many factors, including mucus. When the mucus becomes very thick, mucus will sometimes form a ball and becomes a polyp.

Cystic fibrosis (cystic fibrosis) - Disease characterized by the thickening of mucus in various parts of the body, such as the lungs and nasal cavity. Thickening of mucus not only hinder the process but also causes respiratory mucus can not stop the organisms that can cause infection.

Disorders of the immune system - Patients whose immune systems are very weak, such as patients with HIV or are undergoing chemotherapy, are susceptible because they are more prone to sinus infections.

Facial injury - trauma to the face, including the cheeks and nose, can change the physical structure of internal organs, which can cause sinus blockage.

Main symptoms of Sinusitis
The face that was soft
The face turns red
Thick mucus or green
Excess mucus (which can be felt when passing through the throat thick mucus)
Fever
Cough
Pain in the face where the sinuses can be found
Headache accompanied by pain in the face
Who Should Met & Type Treatments Available
Patients who suffer from sinusitis can be treated by general practitioners. First, the doctor will perform a physical examination, including measuring the body temperature, feel the structure of the face, or look for signs of sinusitis on the body, such as red spots or green nasal discharge. He can also check the patient's medical history, especially if the patient has been diagnosed with the flu or a cold before sinusitis symptoms occur.

Doctors can also use a small flashlight to examine the sinuses. If the sinus hard to see, he can insert an endoscope, a thin, flexible tube and has a light and a camera on the end, so that he can see the condition in the nasal cavity through the screen.

Depending on the resulting diagnosis, patients can be given drugs. If after treatment is completed and sinusitis not recover or get worse, a general physician may advise the patient to see a doctor ENT (ear, nose, and throat) to undergo further tests.

Treatment for sinusitis include:

Decongestant sprays, which should be used for acute sinusitis; should not be used until more than a week
Antibiotics, if sinusitis is caused by bacteria
Saline, to remove thick mucus
Antihistamines, especially if the mucus is accompanied by rhinitis
Operation, if sinusitis is caused by congenital abnormalities

Sinusitis can be prevented by:

Frequent hand washing
Wearing disinfectant on the hands
flu vaccination