One thing that many people wonder about is what causes sinus problems and infections. When you know what is causing all of your misery, it really helps understand what the best solutions for you will be!
For starters, one of the first common questions asked is this:
What exactly ARE your sinuses?
Your sinuses are basically cavities that work to produce mucous and keep your nose moist. The purpose of this is to help your body fight against common allergens such as dust and pollen.
Our body has a total of 8 sinus cavities in all, though most people only think of the two that are in the cheek bone, since this is a common place where we feel pressure when we feel sick or have an infection. However, you actually also have two of them behind your eyes, two in your forehead, and two in the bones between your eyes. No wonder when we have problems with our sinuses our head starts to ache!
So What’s Causing All My Misery?
There are quite a lot of causes to sinus problems, and some of them are genetic in nature while others may be related to your environment and the things you do.
For example, some people actually have a total of 9 sinuses. Having that extra sinus doesn’t really help – and in fact makes the other cavities narrower and makes blockage more likely. Some people also just have naturally narrow sinus cavities, which again can sometimes contribute to having them become blocked more frequently.
Getting any type of cold can also often be a trigger, especially since most colds cause a runny nose and congestion. It is not unusual for someone to get a cold and then two weeks later feel the beginnings of a sinus infection coming on due to having too much mucous produced and becoming trapped. The majority of sinus infections are caused by viruses, but if fever, eye drainage, or other serious side effects are present it could mean that bacteria have also become trapped and antibiotics may be necessary.
Dental problems can also sometimes cause sinus pain (or sinus pain cause dental problems). There is a nerve in your upper jaw which for some people is right between the top of your teeth and the bottom of your sinuses. Seeing your dentist regular for proper care can help you identify which is the cause of the pain. Read More About Jaw Pain and Sinus Infections Here
Others can find that they have problems with eating certain foods. Have you ever noticed someone who after drinking alcohol has a red or somewhat swollen nose? This could be a sign of an unknown allergy which can cause the nose to swell and in turn cause the sinuses to be under a lot of pressure and result in blockage. When all that mucous becomes blocked, it’s the perfect place for bacteria which causes infections to hang out and call home.
There are a lot of things you can do which can help you reduce the number of sinus problems you have. For example, if you are allergic to cats and dogs, it may be better to either find a hypoallergenic breed or not have a pet living in your home. This will only irritate your sinuses further making it even harder than before for you to breathe.
Obviously however, it can be really hard to give up things you like or enjoy all in the sake of not getting sinus infections again. If you have a pet that you love or smoke, all of these things are not easy to just give up.
What Can Be Done?
If you are suffering, there are many things you can do. These three things are a good place to start:
1. Eliminate and Avoid Triggers: You can start off by reducing the number of triggers in your home and lifestyle, such as quitting smoking, avoiding foods you are sensitive to and eliminating dust. This can greatly help in making it less likely for you to have problems.
2. Clean Your Sinuses Regularly: Using a sinus rinse or nasal irrigation system, or even a neti pot can all help you keep your sinuses from becoming blocked with mucous. When you keep your passages clean and clear it becomes much less likely for infections to develop.
3. Talk to Your Doctor: You doctor knows your health history and problems and may want to talk to you about surgery. There are always risks with surgery, but for some the benefits may far outweigh the risks if your sinus problems are causing problems and disturbances in your regular every day life.
Now that you know the causes of sinus infections and problems, you’re well equipped to start trying some of our natural remedies to prevent and treat them. Be good to your nose!
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