Sinusitis
Sinusitis
refers to
an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the
paranasal sinuses. If
often follows the common cold, influenza and other
general infections.
Germs which are usually eliminated from the body
sometimes find their way
into these sinuses or chambers on either side of the
nasal passage,
leading to a sinus trouble.
The
sinuses
consist of cavities or chambers contained in the
bones situated in the
head and face region. The frontal, maxillary,
ethmoid and sphenoid
sinuses are the paranasal sinuses which communicate
with the nose. The
frontal sinuses lie on the frontal bone directly
above the eyes. The
maxillary sinuses are located one on each side of
the nose under the
cheekbone. The ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses are
situated behind the
nose or either side of it. These air sinuses lighten
the weight of the
skull and give resonance to the voice.
Symptoms
The
symptoms of
sinusitis are excessive or constant sneezing, a
running nose, blockage
of one or both nostrils, headaches and pressure
around the head, eyes
and face. Sinus headaches are usually felt in the
forehead and in the
face just below the eyes. The patient may suffer
from a low-grade
fever, lack of appetite, loss of sense of appetite,
and toothache. They may feel miserable because of
difficulty in breathing. The voice is also
affected because of the blocked nose.
Causes
Sinusitis
results
from the congestion of the sinus passages due to
catarrh. It is caused
by over-secretion of mucus in the membranes lining
the nose, throat and
head. This over-secretion is due to irritation
caused by toxins in the
blood.
A faulty
diet can also cause sinus trouble. When a person
consumes certain
types of foods or drinks regularly, they have a
conditioning effect on the entire system. As a
result, some
people persons become more sensitive to certain
allergens, whose reaction
ultimately turns into a sinusitis.
Treatment
|