It’s that time of year again; it’s the time of year for the leaves to change color, the temperature to cool down, and allergies, colds and other viruses to begin making the rounds – yuck! If you’re one of the approximately 32 million individuals each year who experiences sinus infections usually associated with allergies or upper respiratory infections, the following steps may help you to prevent sinus infections in the future.
A sinus infection occurs in the sinus cavities surrounding the nose. These are called the paranasal sinuses, and they include:
- Frontal sinuses – located above the eyes in the eyebrow region of the face.
- Maxillary sinuses – located beneath each cheekbone on the right and left sides of the face.
- Ethmoid sinuses – located immediately behind the bridge of the nose between the eyes.
- Sphenoid sinuses – located behind the ethmoid sinuses, immediately behind the bridge of the nose and behind the eyes.
A sinus infection can occur when fluid and mucus collect in a blocked sinus, and bacteria or fungi begin to grow. Causes of a blocked sinus may be due to:
- mucosal swelling due to allergy irritation, irritation by pollutants or chemicals, or a viral infection such as a cold
- structural abnormalities such as nasal polyps or thickened mucus membranes
Many people suffer sinus infections after a cold or during allergy season. The sinuses are lined with a mucous membrane. Irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane, or lining, can cause it to swell, preventing the drainage of mucus. As fluid collects in the sinuses, the warm, dark, moist area is a desirable location in which bacteria or fungi will thrive, creating an infection.
Prevention of sinus infections involves following these simple steps:
- Wash hands thoroughly and regularly. Regular hand-washing helps to prevent the spread of germs. According to the Centers for Disease Control, hand-washing in the home should always take place: before food preparation, after handling raw meats, before eating, after changing diapers or using the bathroom, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing the nose.
- Add moisture to the air and the lining of your nose. Moisten the lining of the nose during the dry winter months by using a saline nose spray several times each day. A neti pot can be used several times a week for nasal irrigation to thin mucus and clear it from the nasal passageways and to improve the effectiveness of the cilia in removing allergens and bacteria from the nasal passageways. (http://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-pain-pressure-9/neti-pots) Maintain the humidity of the home during the dry winter months, using a room humidifier. Regularly clean and dry the inside of the humidifier to prevent mold growth.
- Avoid pollutants or irritants. Environmental pollutants or irritants such as cigarette/cigar smoke, strong chemical odors, swimming pool chlorine, etc. can cause irritation of the nasal mucous membranes. Avoid water diving, which forces water into the sinus cavities, causing irritation.
- Avoid known allergens. If you have seasonal allergies, be alert to the times of year when these allergens are likely to cause upper respiratory problems for you, and take preventive actions such as using an antihistamine and/or decongestant as directed by your health care provider.
- Avoid close contact with individuals who have colds or other upper respiratory infections.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, sinus infections affect approximately 32 million individuals per year! Don’t be one of them this year! Follow these simple steps to sinus infection prevention, and have a healthier year!
Sources:
http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/sinusitis/overview.htm
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/cold-becomes-sinus-infection
http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/prevent-sinus-infections-avoid-antibiotics/91eb7e643f803110VgnVCM10000013281eac____/health/conditions.treatments/sinusitis
http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9⊂=18&cont;=240
http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/antibiotic-use/URI/sinus-infection.html
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-pain-pressure-9/neti-pots
