Sinus Infection- A Definition, Anatomy and
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Definition:
When you
have an inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages you have what is known
as a sinus infection, also known as sinusitis. You may also experience symptoms
such as nasal congestion with cough, fever, thick nasal secretions, and bad
breath. Pressure or a headache in the eyes, nose, or cheek area, or on one side
of the head can be an indication of sinus infection. Sinusitis can be acute, which comes suddenly, but is less common.
Chronic sinusitis, which lasts longer and possible more frequently, is the most
common. Bacteria that are normally
present in the nasal passages may enter any of the sinuses if a disruption of
the normal defenses inside your sinuses occurs. A sinus infection may occur if the bacteria stick to the cells lining
your nasal passages.
Acute
sinusitis usually occurs no more than 3 times per year, and each episode
usually lasts no longer than 10 days. A
single episode per year usually lasts less than 8 weeks. Sinusitis that lasts
longer than 8 weeks or occurs more than 4 times per year with symptoms lasting
longer than 20 days is usually considered chronic sinusitis. Medications are
usually used to treat the infection, and normally don't damage the lining of
the sinuses or the surrounding bone.
Prevention or minimization of sinus infection may sometimes be
accomplished by removing the cause of the infection from your environment. One way to accomplish this is to use a
germicidal uv air purifier in your furnace air ducts.
Anatomy of
Nasal Passages:
The area in
your skull in which sinus infections occur can be in any or all of the four
major pairs of hollow air-filled sacks called sinuses. The purpose of these
sacks is to allow the voice to resonate as well as reduce the weight and
insulate the skull. These sinuses are called paranasal because they
interconnect the space between the nostrils and nasal passage. These four areas are called the frontal
sinuses (in the forehead), maxillary sinuses (behind the cheek bones), ethmoid
sinuses (between the eyes), and sphenoid sinuses (behind the eyes). Bacteria and pollutants are trapped and
propelled outward by a layer of mucus and cells containing cilia, which are
little hairs, on their surface. The osteomeatal complex, or OMC is a channel
that connects the nasal passage to the paranasal sinuses.
Causes of
Sinus Infections:
Viral
infections in the upper respiratory tract are the usual cause for a sinus infection;
however, airborne pollutants or allergy causing substances may also trigger an
infection. Inflammation occurs when a virus damages the cells that are on the
lining of the sinus. Obstruction of the
nasal passage that connects to the sinuses occurs when the lining thickens with
fluid as a defense against the bacteria.
This causes the nasal passage to become blocked, which creates a
favorable environment for bacteria to begin multiplying and invading the sinus
lining, which causes symptoms common to a sinus infection. Airborne allergens
and pollutants can have similar results, if they become trapped in the nasal
lining. There are several strains of
bacteria that cause acute and chronic sinusitis, mainly, Haemophilus
influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. Staphylococcus aureus, anaerobes and Fungi
also play a part in chronic sinusitis.
Anaerobes are actually bacteria that live in the absence of oxygen. Fungi usually affect only people who have
weakened immune systems. Many of these irritants
such as bacteria, fungi and airborne allergens and pollutants can be reduced or
eliminated through the use of a whole house uv air purifier.