Added: 12/20/2005 |
Common sinusitis typesSinusitis is considered to be the infection of sinus cavities. The disease is caused by bacteria. Speaking about sinusitis types, it is impossible not to mention that sinuses are small empty spaces in the bones around the human's nose. They are known to be lined with mucus membranes and are connected with nasal passages. As a rule, some sinuses are present since birth; other ones continue to develop during the first twenty years of life.
Sinusitis is a condition when the lining of the sinuses becomes red, tender and swollen, the opening becomes blocked, and the sinus is only partially filled with the necessary fluid (mucus or pus). Normally, mucus in the sinuses is known to drain into nasal passages. But when the person suffers from cold or allergy attack, his or her sinuses become inflamed and unable to drain. Such a condition can lead to both congestion and infection.
As a matter of fact, technically any cold is considered to be the case of sinusitis. But at the same time the term sinusitis is usually referred to a bacterial infection inside the sinuses.
There are three sinusitis types known nowadays. First of all, sinusitis starts from the acute sinusitis which usually has bacterial origin. This is one of the sinusitis types which is known to last no longer than three weeks. However, if the person has frequent sinusitis, lasting three months or more, it is considered that he or she has chronic sinusitis. It's worth admitting that chronic sinusitis symptoms may be less severe than the ones of acute. But at the same time being untreated the disease can cause harmful damage to both sinuses and cheekbones. In some cases this requires surgery to repair. One of the other (middle) sinusitis types is called recurrent one. It means the presence of several acute sinusitis attacks during a year.
It's important to mention that sinusitis is a disease which is rarely considered to be life-threatening. However multiple facial plains of the neck and the associated lymphatic channels and venous, close proximity of the sinuses to the human's central nervous system can lead to a range of serious complications.
Anyone can get sinusitis. Such symptoms as nasal allergies or colds are present first. Sinusitis is also more common in the areas with excessive cigarette smoke exposure. Children can also suffer from sinusitis. As a matter of fact ear infections, deviated nasal septa, cystic fibrosis, GE reflux, immune problems or poorly functioning cilia are the disorders in children which are likely to develop sinusitis. It's interesting to mention that sinusitis and asthma often go together. In addition, children can be predisposed to sinusitis by breathing cold dry air swimming, or attending day-care. Be aware that boys experience sinusitis more often than girls.
What are sinusitis symptoms? The illness has often a non-specific presentation. Common complaints of the sufferers include facial pain with headache, purulent drainage and nasal congestion. Thus, the symptoms of sinusitis often mimic the ones of allergies or colds. Unfortunately, many sinusitis sufferers never see a doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
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