Sinusitis can be as a result of bacteria, fungi or viruses that enter the nose and causes inflammation.
Sinuses are initially hollow cavities that are filled with air and located in the facial bones.
The function of the sinuses may still be unknown but they produce mucus which keeps the sinuses hydrated and the air we breathe humidified.
When allergens like bacteria, fungi or viruses enter the nose, they cause a blockage which can result in sinus headaches, nasal pressure and even post-nasal drip.
Post-nasal drip is when mucus has no other option of leaving the nose rather than through the back of the throat.
Different kinds of sinuses and locations There are four different sinus cavities that can be found.
Each sinus has its own purpose and location.
Sinuses can get up to three different kinds of sinusitis infections.
Underneath we find a shortlist of the sinuses that can be found.
· Frontal These sinuses are positioned above the eye brows, in the forehead.
· Ethmoid These kinds of Sinuses are found between the eyes and close to the tear glands.
· Maxillary These are Sinuses which you will find located more on both sides of the nose in the maxilla teeth.
· Sphenoid This kind of sinus is not that well known simply because it is found in the lower middle parts of the human skull.
Different kinds of sinusitis Sinusitis can actually be classified into 3 categories these being Acute, Subacute and Chronic [2] but most individuals prefer to focus on the two kinds of sinusitis, these two are better explained below.
· Acute Sinusitis Acute Sinusitis is commonly seen after a common cold that remained unchanged after ineffective treatment and has many symptoms that you would find with Chronic.
The variation between these sinusitis kinds is that, an individual suffering from Chronic will not have a fever.
The second reason would be that chronic sinusitis lasts longer than what Acute does, 4 weeks.
Acute is where sinusitis begins.
A sufferer of this sinus infection may get symptoms like pain or pressure in the frontal parts of the skull.
· Chronic Sinusitis Chronic sinusitis presents one with symptoms like pain and tenderness in certain parts of the face and the inability to smell or taste certain foods.
Chronic is identified with the help of main and inconsequential medical influences that a patient previously describes; in this case of diagnosis physical examination results may and may not be used.
Chronic Sinusitis treatment is different to the way other forms of sinus infection would be treated this because treatment can be based on the seriousness of the sinus infection.
If your nose is completely blocked and cannot for a long time, one might have to undergo nasal surgery where they will drain the sinus.
Sinusitis Symptoms This list of sinus infection symptoms below is not for a particular kind of sinusitis but all combined.
Also individuals may not feel all of these symptoms.
· Congestion of the nasal passages · The compact ability to smell and taste certain foods · Halitosis · Throbbing ache in the facial temples · Getting pressured pain in the forehead as you move · A cough that increases with the nightfall · Temperature increase and headache · Greenly yellow mucus · Feeling irritated and having to do mouth breathing because of swollen sinus There are people who have a higher risk of getting sinusitis than others.
These are people who have facial injuries, asthma, hay fever, rhinitis, inborn defects and nasal growths.
Also those who have maximum exposure to pollutants and irritants like smoke, pesticides, household detergents or sprays while allergic.
Your Turn.
Have you recently had sinusitis or the symptoms thereof? What kinds of allergies usually trigger your sinusitis? Share your story in the comment section below!