The illness which is characterized by swelling of the paranasal sinuses of human beings caused by exposure to bacteria, viruses, fungi, and allergic reactions are generally termed as sinusitis. Nowadays, sinusitis is also referred as rhinosinusitis because the illness always comes with variety of nasal swelling. Sinusitis is one of the most common illnesses that affect millions of individuals every year. But are you aware of the known causes of sinusitis?

Approximately 10% of cases of acute sinusitis results from direct inoculation of the sinus with a large amount of bacteria. Environmental toxins which are bothersome to people’s nasal passages, irritants such as foreign elements, and prolonged use of nasal sprays are seen to be the most common cause of sinus infection or commonly known as sinusitis. Another known cause is exposure to germs. If people who are prone to developing sinusitis are exposed to these causative agents, then signs and symptoms associated with sinus infection will slowly begin to develop. The symptom will first start with an inflamed mucous lining of the nasal passages. Mucous will then start to accumulate, causing growth of bacteria leading to infection. When the bacteria will start to multiply, the person infected will begin to develop the symptoms of sinusitis infection. Symptoms of sinus infection are characterized by thick, colored discharge, pain around the sinus area, headache, and inability to smell.

The most common bacteria involved in acute sinusitis are among those of normal nasal flora or those bacteria which naturally inhibits the nose. When these bacteria are deposited into the sinuses by sneezing, coughing, or direct invasion under conditions that optimize their growth, they can become sinus pathogens. The most common bacterial pathogens in acute sinusitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae (30-40%), Haemophilus influenzae (20-30 %), and Moraxella catarrhalis (12-20%). Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes are isolated in rare cases. Most acute sinusitis starts as an ordinary cold from the common cold viruses and then becomes a bacterial infection. But if you’re clogged nose and cough last longer than one or two weeks, you may have more than a cold.

Once sinusitis infection started to develop, it will then be very difficult to put an end to its annoying symptoms. With appropriate health care difference between suffering with an allergic disease and feeling better can be made. Sinus sufferers must visit the office of an allergist for them to have an accurate diagnosis, a treatment plan that works and educational information to help them manage the disease.