Sinusitis

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Sinuses

Sinusitis

Definition:

Sinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinuses. This is generally caused by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection.

The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull (behind the forehead, cheeks, and eyes) that are lined with mucous membranes. Healthy sinuses are sterile (meaning that they contain no bacteria or other organisms) and open, allowing mucus to drain and air to circulate.

When inflamed, the sinuses become blocked with mucus and can become infected. Each year, over 30 million adults and children get sinusitis.

Sinusitis can be acute (lasting anywhere from 2 - 8 weeks) or chronic, with symptoms lingering much longer.

See also chronic sinusitis.

Alternative Names:

Acute sinusitis; Sinus infection; Sinusitis - acute

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Sinusitis can occur from one of these conditions:

The small openings (ostia) from the sinuses to the nose become blocked
Small hairs (cilia) in the sinuses, which help move mucus out, are not working properly
Too much mucus is produced

When the sinus openings become blocked and mucus accumulates, this becomes a great breeding ground for bacteria and other organisms.

Sinusitis usually follows respiratory infections, such as colds, or an allergic reaction. Some people never get sinusitis, and others develop sinusitis frequently.

People more likely to get frequent sinusitis include those with cystic fibrosis and those with immune systems weakened by HIV or chemotherapy.

Other risks for developing sinusitis include:

Having asthma
Overusing nasal decongestants (rather than continuing to relieve congestion, the problem gets worse when these are used too often or for too long)
Having a deviated nasal septum, nasal bone spur, or polyp
Having a foreign body in your nose
Frequent swimming or diving
Dental work
Pregnancy
Changes in altitude (flying or scuba diving)
Air pollution and smoke
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Hospitalization, especially if you are in the hospital because of a head injury or have had a tube placed into your nose (nasogastric tube)

Cystic fibrosis is one of a number of diseases that prevent the cilia from working properly. Other such diseases that put you at increased risk for sinusitis include Kartagener's syndrome and immotile cilia syndrome.

Review Date: 8/3/2005
Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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