Know Your Enemy - The Symptoms Of A Sinus Infection

Sinus infections are one of the most common infections that occur around the world, affecting over thirty five million Americans alone. Sinus infections affect young and old alike and have a variety of causes, from allergic reactions and viruses to the inflammation of the nasal passage. Though the causes may be varied, there are common symptoms that occur to let you know you are suffering from sinusitis, including headaches, fever and many other problems, which are broadly termed as sinus related problems.

The sinuses are air filled cavities located within the skull with connecting apertures, which allow for the easy passage of air and mucus. The inside of these cavities are lined with mucous lining which serves a varied purpose. This lining has a tendency to get inflamed and swollen when the person is suffering from asthma, virus or bacterial infection or due to an allergic reaction. When the lining gets inflamed, it blocks all the air and mucus that is present inside this. This causes the creation of a vacuum which presses against the skull and causes the debilitating pain that is associated with sinus.

As there are four sinus cavities present in the human skull - the frontal, maxillary, ethmoid and sphenoid, the location of the pain will tell you which sinus has been affected. Pain in the eyes and brow area signifies a frontal sinus infection; pain inside the cheekbones is characteristic of maxillary sinus infection; behind the nose signifies an ethmoid sinus infection and a sphenoid sinus infection causes pain just behind the ethmoids in the base of the skull.

In addition to the headaches that you experience, a person with sinusitis will also experience pain in the ear, neck, eyes, upper jaw, cheekbones, teeth and eyelids as well. This is because of the location of the sinuses near to these, as they begin to press against these vital organs of the face. The blockage of the nasal passageway also causes a stuffy nose with greenish yellow nasal discharge, lack of smell and softness around the nose. The entire body also feels feverish, weak and suffers from racking cough. In extreme cases, the brain can also be affected due to its proximity to the affected sinuses and this can result in a very serious issue for the individual.

There are a variety of cures for sinus infections, ranging from homemade remedies to antibiotics and decongestants. Depending on the severity of your condition and other personal factors, you can choose the type of treatment that will be best suited for you. Homemade remedies are general treatment options for you, while antibiotics should only be taken after the recommendation of a qualified medical professional.