Maxillary Sinus Infection

If you are suffering from a maxillary sinus infection, you face probably aches.  If you put pressure on your cheek bones, it is likely to feel very tender and sore.  Your sinuses are made of several avenues mirrored on either side of your face.  The maxillary sinuses are the biggest area.  Thus, it can also be the source of a very bad infection that can be painful and difficult to treat.

Sinus Infection Causes

Sinus infections can seem to spring out of nowhere.  One day you are feeling fine; then, you have pain, fever, headaches, and more.  It can be a debilitating ailment that makes it very difficult to function. It is not long before you have to seek medical attention, in order to get relief from the constant discomfort and pressure.  Especially if you are prone to sinus problems, you should know what causes an infection.  It may be any of the following:

• A recent cold
• The flu
• Dental problems
• Fungus
• Deviated septum
• Enlarged turbinate

It is no wonder that a cold can result in a sinus infection.  Most people are continually blowing their noses for a week or two.  It seems like the mucus is either constantly running out of, or clogging the nose.  The sinuses can take a real beating during this illness.  The nasal membranes swell, and the nose is never really cleaned out.  It is a wonder more people don’t have sinus infections after a cold.

A lot of people think they have the flu, when it is often something that was eaten or maybe even food poisoning.  But, the real influenza is a nasty virus.  Back before modern medicine, it could be a death sentence to get the flu.  Today, there are still individuals that get really sick, are hospitalized, get infections, and die from the real flu. It is not uncommon to be diagnosed with sinus problems soon thereafter.

One of the biggest culprits of a maxillary sinus infection is dental problems.  A quick look at the skull and it is not hard to see why infected teeth or gums can cause problems with the sinuses.  It is not far for dental disease to migrate to the sinus cavities.  In fact, it is actually one of the main causes of this type of sinus problem.

It is very important to maintain good dental hygiene.  Also, if you are an individual that is prone to sinus infections, it might be time to visit the dentist. Antibiotics may ease the symptoms; but, the source of the infection still remains.  Until it is gone, the sinuses are always going to be a target for pain and discomfort.
Fungus can also be a source for maxillary sinus infection.  You may not even be aware that aspergillus fungus is present in your home.  It might be necessary to deep clean your home and scrub areas that typically grow fungus, to make sure there is none present.  It is also a good idea to have someone who makes a business out of killing fungus to come into your home and take care of any potential problems.

Sometimes, people are more susceptible to sinus problems because of structural problems with their nasal cavities.  For example, a deviated septum can cause the sinuses not to drain properly.  The septum is that area that divides the nostrils.  If it leans one way or the other, it can result in more infections and even be the source of snoring issues.

Another structure issue is larger than normal turbinates.  The areas that separate your sinus cavities and curl like a scroll are made of cartilage.  If these scroll-like partitions are too thick, it can make it difficult for the sinuses to drain properly.  In both of these instances, plastic surgery can restructure these cavities and reshape the sinuses to work properly.

If you have ever had a sinus infection, one day of misery is enough.   In many cases, a trip to the doctor, a round of antibiotics and some rest will take care of the problem, after a bout of cold or flu.  But, when a maxillary sinus infection recurs, there may be serious issues that need to be addressed.  The biggest culprit is actually poor oral health.  Many people fail to see that a visit to the dentist is the answer to illness.  After gum or tooth infection is treated, the sinus infections also stop. Sometimes, it is actually the presence of fungus in the home or workplace.  To cure recurring sinus trouble, some individuals need surgery to correct a turbinate or a deviated septum.  The key is to figuring out what treatment is necessary, to make the pain and discomfort a thing of the past.