Ever wondered what really causes sinus infections? There are many possibilities, and it is sometimes hard to pinpoint which one is the culprit. You could have gotten it while you are at work or even at home, so here are some of the known causes of sinus infections.
Most sinus infections are caused by the common cold. This causes congestion in the nasal passages and inhibits the drainage of the sinuses which is why they become inflamed.
When this happens, the nose is filled with mucus caused by the accumulation of white blood cells in the lining of the nose. This makes it difficult for the person to smell or even breathe,
Generally, the common flu stays a maximum for one week. After that, we usually recover, but it leaves our sinuses inflamed. The nose is a sensitive part of our body that catches a viral infection very easily.
Sinus infection can also be caused by exposure to dust particles, pollen, and other irritants. If there is too much of this already in the nasal passages, it prevents mucus from draining away. When these bacteria such as streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae end up in our upper respiratory tract and causes a sinus infection.
Another example is the fungus known as aspergillus that can cause problems to the immune system.
If you have asthma, you are at high risk for sinus infections because your nasal polyps inside your nose are swollen. This results in chronic sinus infections that could last for 2 weeks.
Lack of water also causes a sinus infection. This is because the mucus will thicken making it difficult for the cilia to move it through the sinuses.
Sinus infections can also happen whenever we are stressed. To prove the point, one such condition known as vasomotor rhinitis shows that stress does cause excessive swelling and mucus production.
You can also get a sinus infection by blowing your nose too much. This is because your nose will swell after blowing it too hard or too much.
Certain activities that are fun can also cause a sinus infection. Traveling by air and scuba diving are very common because too much pressure in the sinuses causes bacteria to grow.
Certain medications are also known to cause sinus infections as a side effect.
Finally, you can get a sinus infection from disease teeth because the maxillary sinus in the cheekbone becomes infected by the root of a diseased upper tooth. Sinuses are basically infected air spaces in the head, which you have two of. So when you have an infected root in your upper teeth, the infection seeps out and goes into your sinuses.
The primary treatment for a maxillary sinus infection is antibiotics. Before antibiotics, your primary options were sinus rinses, steroids, and the insertion of metal tubes in your sinuses to drain them. If you don’t have the possibility of being treated with antibiotics, the next best thing is to get your tooth removed. The removal of a wisdom tooth will help reduce your sinus pressure. The removal of the tooth should help you avoid sinus infections and tooth decay.
There are many causes of sinus infections and it is not only bacterial or viral. Now that you know what these are, you can take informed steps to prevent or seek treatment for sinus infections.