General Nursing©

Sinusitis

• Maxillary sinuses are on either side of the nose and spread under the cheekbones.
• Ethmoid sinuses flank the bridge of the nose.
• Frontal sinuses can be found above the eyes and usually cause forehead pain.
• Sphenoid sinuses run from the large bone at the base of the skull to the temples.

When people complain of sinus infections they are usually referring to the maxillary and frontal sinuses.

Causes:

The common cold is the usual cause of sinusitis although allergies are a major contributor. The infection itself can be bacterial, viral or fungal. When you have a cold or allergy, your nasal membranes swell and can actually close off the opening to your sinuses. This blockage prevents the mucus from draining and creates the perfect environment within the sinuses for any trapped bacteria or virus to grow.

Sinus Headache

The pain that often accompanies sinusitis can be the result of either the inflammation of the sinus linings or the pressure created by trapped air and the buildup of mucus in your sinuses. This buildup can also lead to a "sinus headache," severe pain that encompasses more than just the cheekbones.

Who Is Most Likely to Get Sinusitis:

• Only a small percentage of cold sufferers experience the complication of sinusitis.
• People who have repeated hay fever attacks or other allergies that affect the respiratory tract are more susceptible.
• Similarly, people with asthma are also prone to the illness.
• A deviated nasal septum (crooked wall between the nostrils) or nasal polyps (small grape like growths) can also block the sinus openings; making people with these conditions prime candidates for sinus infections.

1 2 3 4 Pages