What
is sinusitis?
Sinusitis is the medical name given for inflamed sinuses however it is
often used interchangeably with allergic rhinitis and rhinorrhea (see
below). Symptoms include a continuous discharge which may be thin and
watery, thick like mucous or yellow-green like pus. Sneezing, congestion,
postnasal drip and cough may be associated, as are stuffy nose, face pain
or headache, and fever.. Allergic and infectious disorders are often
responsible.
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Major
Causes
Common Cold -- Viral infections of the
nose and upper respiratory tract usually begin with a thin, clear
discharge from the nose. Nasal congestion and thicker mucous develop
later.
Allergic Rhinitis ("Hay
Fever") -- Runny nose, sneezing and itchy eyes may occur seasonally
or year-round. Allergic disorders such as asthma, eczema and hives may be
associated.
Vasomotor Rhinitis -- Although this
disease is similar to hay fever, no allergic component can be identified.
The symptoms are often brought on by smoke or temperature changes.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Rhinorrhea
-- CSF, the thin watery fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord, can
leak from the nose through fractures in the skull and sinuses. Head
injury, previous surgery and tumors are sometimes implicated. Meningitis,
an infection of the membranes lining the brain, may result.
Miscellaneous -- measles, congenital
syphilis, diphtheria, nasal polyps (benign growths), overuse of
decongestants, foreign objects in the nose , ozena--an inflammatory
disease of unknown cause.
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Allergies
Some sufferers inherit a tendency to
develop sensitivities to various substances in the air, such as pollens,
molds, house dust and others. Upon exposure, the sufferer's immune system
over- reacts, producing copious amounts of an antibody group called
immunoglobulin E, and other complex substances. These substances trigger a
series of reactions culminating in the production of internal chemicals
with bronchospastic properties which brings about the symptoms.
Often, where an allergy is the
cause, sufferer's will also tend to have other allergic diseases as well (eg.
hay fever and eczema). Allergies can be confirmed by blood tests showing
high levels of antibodies, eosinophils (see above), and other
allergy-related substances.
Occupational & domestic
pollutants: - Certain substances in some work settings may also cause
sinusitis in some people. Common offending substances include animal hair,
plastic or vinyl fumes, grain products, cigarette smoke, dry feathers, dry
rot, fungus bacteria, pollen, dust and dust mites.
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Additional
precipitating factors
Viral colds, laughing or prolonged talking, emotional stress, passive
cigarette smoke inhalation, and drugs such as the beta blockers like
propranolol (Inderal), and its relatives, all are known to be irritants.
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This page was last updated on 05 December 2006 17:01:14
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