What is a Sinus Infection?
Looking at a picture of a skull, it is easy to see where there are places that are indented or missing, where the sinuses would have been in life. For example, the nose is basically made up of cartilage, and the nostrils allow for breathing and evacuating mucus when a person is sick.But, most people don’t think about the fact that the sinuses involve much more than the nose. There are cavities above the cheekbones, the ears can be affected by sinus trouble, the forehead may feel swollen, and even the teeth and gums influence the sinuses.
A sinus infection happens when one of these cavities gets clogged and the mucus naturally produced by the body cannot evacuate properly. Then, the yucky stuff just sits there collecting pollutants, bacteria, or fungus. After a while of trying to fight off harmful microorganisms, the sinuses become infected.
In other instances, a sinus infection can occur if the individual suffers from poor dental health. If the teeth or gums are diseased, the infection can spread to the sinuses. In fact, it is recommended that chronic sufferers visit their dentists and make sure their oral health, or lack thereof, is not the main culprit of their recurring pain and discomfort.
Sinus Infection Differences
Not all sinus infections are created equal. Some can be treated with home remedies to ease the symptoms, while a virus runs its course. Others are caused by bacteria and will not go away without the intervention of antibiotics. But, the worst kind of sinus infection is caused by naturally occurring fungus.Normally, the body can fight off any fungus that may be harmful and comes in contact with the body. But, if the sinuses cannot function and drain properly, the fungus just sits in the body and festers, until a person has to contend with a potentially fatal infection.
Fungus will not respond to antibiotics. It requires an anti-fungal medication to fight the disease. If the fungus has congregated in a sinus cavity, it may require surgery to remove the mass of mucus and fungus. For people with compromised immune system, this can be a potentially fatal malady. So, it is vital to see a doctor right away, if you have had a fungal infection before, or low immunity is an issue.
If the sinus infection is caused by bacteria, it should respond well to a course of antibiotics. There are different types of prescription medications that may work well for one patient, while another person may continue to suffer. A doctor will need to have a complete patient history, including recurrences or allergies, which might influence the chosen course of treatment.
If it is determined that the sinus infection is viral in nature, there is no medicine that will kill the virus that caused the sinus trouble. The best course of treatment is a combination of over-the-counter remedies to help reduce the symptoms, until the infection is gone.
Chronic Sinus Infection
For anyone who has ever had a sinus infection, one is enough. The symptoms can be very painful and debilitating. When a patient suffers from a chronic problem, those signs can last for weeks. Then, when the sinus infection finally seems to be cleared up, another one is not far behind.As a result, it can be very difficult to hold down a job or take care of a family. Doctors will want to discover the underlying cause and treat it, before it can turn into another infection. Oftentimes, the culprit is allergies to pollen, dust, or pollutants in the environment. There are some changes that can be made inside the home, in order to make the atmosphere more sinus-friendly. Treatments for the allergies, including regular shots, can also reduce the chances of getting another sinus infection.
It is also important to know what home remedies can be used to promote good sinus health, and treat sinus problems before they have a chance to turn into a real illness. It is often easier to prevent a sinus infection, rather than to wait until a cure is necessary. It is also a lot less painful.
