Causes of Sinus Infection

Knowing the causes of sinus infection is beneficial to the patient and the layman for prevention of repeated attacks! Learn about the causes and take adequate steps.

It is not difficult to understand the causes of sinus infection. The most common cause of a sinus infection is the common cold or viral influenza. The cold causes congestion in the nasal passages and this inhibits the drainage of the sinuses which can cause them to become inflamed. When we have flu, our nose is filled with mucus caused by the accumulation of white blood cells in the lining of the nose. Generally a common flu stays a maximum for a period of one week. After that we usually recover, but it leaves our sinuses inflamed. The nose is a very sensitive part of our body which catches a viral infection very easily.

When we move outdoors we are again exposed to dust particles and irritants in the air which could accumulate in our sinus cavities. Accumulation of these could actually block the nasal passages and prevent mucus from draining away. This forms a harbor to many types of bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae which normally settle in our upper respiratory tract harmlessly . Once these bacteria multiply, they become one of the chief causes of sinus infection. Also when we have persistent runny nose(Allergic Rhinitis) due to allergy to dust, pollen grains, house mites etc., thereby resulting in chronic irritation or inflammation of our nasal passages, sinusitis can occur.

Fungus infection is known to cause sinus infection. Fungi are found profusely in our environment but it is harmless to humans as we have a natural resistance to fungi. But you must beware of the common black mold which we may find in our homes. Black mold can only proliferate in moist and damp areas. These are the areas where natural sunlight cannot reach. If nothing is done and you breathe in these mold spores regularly, your body's natural immune system could fall drastically. Fungus like Aspergillus can cause serious health problems to people whose immune system is not functioning normally.

The inside of our nose is made up of nasal turbinates. These turbinates are three bony and soft-tissue structures lining the sides of the nasal cavity. The purpose of these turbinates is to warm the air that we breathe in before it enters our lungs. As part of the normal nasal cycle, the turbinates alternately swell and enlarge. In some people, their turbinates can swell excessively, resulting in significant nasal obstruction or congestion. This obstruction provides a conducive environment for the bacteria load to build up in the nose leading to a sinus infection.

Nasal polyps are swollen, inflamed mucus membranes that abnormally project into the nasal passages potentially blocking airflow. They occur more frequently in persons with allergies and/or asthma. Nasal obstruction or nasal congestion is one of the most common sinus infection symptoms. As a result, the natural sinus drainage mechanism becomes impaired and chronic sinus infection occurs. Asthmatics who have nasal polyps tend to have an intolerance to Aspirin (causing reactions that may be severe).

Recent reports indicate that acid reflux into the esophagus plays a role in the development of sinus infection in both children and adults. There was also a study showing that patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) were less likely to get relief from Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery(FESS). In patients with chronic sinus infection, an increased number of acid reflux episodes causes gastric acid to reach the top of the esophagus near the sinuses compared to a control group. While acid reflux probably does not reach all the way to the sinuses, it could induce inflammation of nasal lining, blocking the sinuses. There is, therefore, a possible causal relationship between GERD and chronic sinus infection.

Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) practitioners believe that the body must not be exposed to the elements for long periods of time. It is best to avoid damp and cold places as overexposure can cause an imbalance to the yin and yang elements of the body. Any such imbalance will cause the body's immune system to deteriorate leading to possible chronic infections.

Thus, knowing the various causes of sinus infection can help you take the necessary steps to prevent catching this debilitating illness or its recurrence.