The sinuses are hollow air-filled spaces in the skull bones. They are connected to the nose and lined with the same membrane, called mucous membrane, which produces a slimy secretion (mucus) to keep the nasal passageways moist and trap dirt particles.

What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis simply means the sinuses are infected or inflamed, but this gives little indication of the misery and pain this condition can cause. It can be divided into three sorts like acute, which lasts for 3 weeks or less, chronic, which usually lasts for 3 to 8 weeks but can continue for months or even years and recurrent, which is several acute attacks within a year.

In the winter, sinusitis is aggravated in some people.

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?
The location of the sinus pain depends on which sinus is affected.

*Headache when you wake up in the morning is typical of a sinus problem.

*Pain when your forehead over the frontal sinuses is touched may indicate that your frontal sinuses are inflammed.

*Infection in the maxillary sinuses can cause your upper jaw and teeth to ache and your cheeks to become tender to the touch.

*Since the ethmoid sinuses are near the tear ducts in the corner of the eyes, inflammation of these cavities often causes swelling of the eyelids and tissues around your eyes, and pain between your eyes. Ethmoid inflammation also can cause tenderness when the sides of your nose are touched, a loss of smell, and a stuffy nose.

*Although the sphenoid sinuses are less frequently affected, infection in this area can cause earaches, neck pain, and deep aching at the top of your head.

Most people with sinusitis, however, have pain or tenderness in several locations, and their symptoms usually do not clearly indicate which sinuses are inflamed.

Other symptoms of sinusitis can include --

*Fever

*Weakness

*Tiredness

*A cough that may be more severe at night

*Runny nose (rhinitis) or nasal congestion.

What are some causes of acute sinusitis?
Most cases of acute sinusitis start with a common cold, which is caused by virus. These viral colds do not cause symptoms of sinusitis, but they do inflame the sinuses. Both the cold and the sinus inflammation usually go away without treatment in 2 weeks.

Sometimes, fungal infections can also cause acute sinusitis.

Chronic inflammation of the nasal passages also can lead to sinusitis. If you have allergic rhinitis or hay fever, you can develop episodes of acute sinusitis. Vasomotor rhinitis, caused by humidity, cold air, alcohol, perfumes, and other environmental conditions, also may be complicated by sinus infections.

What causes chronic sinusitis?
If you have asthma, an allergic disease, you may have frequent episodes of chronic sinusitis.

If you are allergic to airborne allergens, such as dust, mold, and pollen, which trigger allergic rhinitis, you may develop chronic sinusitis. In addition, people who are allergic to fungi can develop a condition called "allergic fungal sinusitis.”

How is sinusitis treated?
After diagnosing sinusitis and identifying a possible cause, a doctor can suggest treatments that will reduce the inflammation and relieve the symptoms.

If you have acute sinusitis, physicians may recommend decongestants to reduce congestion; an antibiotic to control the bacterial infection, if present; pain relievers to reduce the pain and anti histamins if you are prone to allergy. In addition, the doctor may prescribe a steroid nasal spray, along with other treatments, to reduce your sinus congestion, swelling, and inflammation.

When conservative treatment fails, surgery may be the only alternative for treating chronic sinusitis.

How can sinusitis be prevented?
It is possible to reduce the chances of developing sinusitis and possibly prevent acute sinusitis from becoming chronic. Here are some things that might be helpful, especially for people who are prone to sinusitis --

*You may get some relief from your symptoms with a humidifier, particularly if room air in your home is heated by a dry forced-air system.

*Air conditioners help to provide an even temperature.

*If you are prone to getting sinus disorders, especially if you have allergies, you should avoid cigarette smoke and other air pollutants. If your allergies inflame your nasal passages, you are more likely to have a strong reaction to all irritants.

*If you suspect that your sinus inflammation may be related to dust, mold, pollen, or food-or any of the hundreds of allergens that can trigger an upper respiratory reaction-you should consult your doctor.

*Drinking alcohol also causes nasal and sinus membranes to swell. So avoid alcohol.

* Divers often get sinus congestion and infection when water is forced into the sinuses from the nasal passages.