Sinus Infections
Sinus infections are the ones that
affect the cavities, called sinuses, in the bones near the
nose. An inflammation of the sinuses causes a disease called
sinusitis. The inflammation occurs due to the blockage of the
sinuses which leads to the trapping of air and mucus in the
sinuses.
The trappings and inflammation of the nasal membrane lining
produces great physical discomfort and severe pain. This
condition is referred to as a sinus attack. The cause for
sinusitis may be an allergy or infection, either due to
bacteria or fungi. Some diseases, like HIV, also cause
sinusitis. People with abnormal mucus secretion are also prone
to Sinus infections .
Sinus attack can occur in different parts of the body,
particularly the face. These include the frontal sinusitis
which affects the area over the eyes, maxillary sinusitis which
affects the area inside the cheekbones, ethmoid sinusitis which
affects the area between the eyes and the nose, and sphenoid
sinusitis which effects the area behind the upper region of the
nose and behind the eyes. The sinusitis causes pain in the area
affected.
Sinus infections can be classified on the basis of the time for
which they last. For instance, an acute infection lasts for
upto three weeks, whereas a chronic infection lasts between
three weeks to eight weeks or even more. Recurring sinusitis
occurs frequently over a period of time.
The most common symptoms of a sinus infection include severe
headache, pain in the jaws, pressure around eyes and nose and a
thick discharge from the nose. Sometimes these are accompanied
by fever, weakness and cough and cold.
Common treatments for sinus infections include the use of
decongestants, antibiotics, nasal sprays and pain killers. Home
remedies for treating sinusitis vary from inhaling steam,
intaking warm fluids, applying a paste of cinnamon with water,
to having jalapeño peppers and ripe grapes' juice.
The treatment must always be decided after a prescription from
the doctor, that too after an analysis of the cause and nature
of sinus infections. However, in absence of any effective
relief from the aforementioned treatments, a surgery can also
be resorted to. This surgery aims at widening the sinus
openings so as to clear the blockages.
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