Sinus infections have become second nature on peoples lives nowadays.Am sure of this because,the increasing rate of pollutants in the world together with the already existing microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi make it easier to inflame the human sinuses and thus causing us to be subjected to this horrible health condition. Sinus infections take advantage of these factors to attack the cells of the lining situated on the surface of sinuses and cause damage to it. Subsequently, the lining gets to swell up and cause a blockage of the air passages inside the nose.

This action makes the movement of celia (the tiny hairs found on the surfaces of nasal cells that ensure mucus is moved away from the nostrils every time it is produced) to reduce significantly. As a result of this, mucus is left to accumulate in the air passages trapping more air and in the process, the patient finds it difficult to breathe. Pain and discomfort in the sinus area is therefore felt.With microorganisms strategically placed inside the nose, this outcome gives them a nice opportunity to colonize the cells that are found around and while they are at this, numerous infections are undertaken, sinus infections being one of them.This type of infection is believed to take a short time to heal however, in rare cases chronic sinus infections may take place and subject the patient to a longer period of suffering.

Chronic sinus infections are often characterized by their ability to take longer periods which may mean several weeks, months or even several years for them to finally heal. It is however said that this type of infection attacks people who are likely to be hosting diseases that are damaging the body immune system such as AIDS. Although a combination of several factors is believed to contribute to the existence of this type of infection, allergies are said to be the main causes of chronic sinus infections.A possible inhalation of allergens (substances that can provoke allergic reactions) which are airborne including mold,dust and at times pollen, may be enough to trigger a set of allergic reactions that may allow for the production of body chemical compounds such as histamine. With histamine around the mucosal surface,an automatic swelling up process of the nasal air passages takes place. Drainage of the sinuses is therefore blocked and as a result, a sinus infection occurs in the process.

Structural abnormalities of the nose may also at times be the reason why chronic sinus infections take place. Abnormalities such as the presence of tiny growths referred to as polyps or having a deviated septum (the bony partition splitting the 2 nasal pathways) may be positioned to trap large quantities of mucus inside the sinuses and in the long run cause this type of infection.

Chronic sinus infections are most of the time accompanied by severe headaches, serious pain around the sinus area as one tries to breathe, nasal congestion, a nasal discharge which appears to be thick and yellow or at times greenish in color, fever and spontaneous coughing. With proper diagnosis through knowing the patient's medical history, conducting a physical examination through blood tests or using x-rays, your doctor may be able to determine what is the exact cause of this infection and be in a good position to prescribe the appropriate treatment that can be used to clear this health problem.

Home remedies such as inhalation of steam can assist in soothing the inflamed sinus cavities.Although these remedies have been proven not to be able to cure chronic sinus infections,they are said to highly reduce the level of discomfort that the patient may be experiencing at that particular moment. Medically, your doctor may choose to prescribe oral steroids such as prednisone when other forms of medication have failed to deliver.Oral steroids are known to have significant side effects and therefore are only to be used as the last resort. However, for chronic sinus infections that have resisted all forms of medication including oral steroids, surgery may be the only way out for the patient.In children,the problem is often cured by taking out their adenoids which are believed to be the obstructers of their nasal air pathways. In adults,the removal of their polyps always proves to be the ideal way to cure the condition.

Wangeci Kinyanjui is an expert on research and reporting on Health Matters for years.To get more information on chronic sinus infections visit her site at CHRONIC SINUS INFECTIONS