SINUSITIS CAUSES

Sinusitis can occur from one of these conditions:

The small openings (ostia) from the sinuses to the nose become blocked
Small hairs (cilia) in the sinuses, which help move the normally produced mucous out, are not working properly
Too much mucous is produced

When the sinus openings become blocked and mucous accumulates, this becomes a great breeding ground for bacteria and other organisms.

Sinusitis usually follows respiratory infections, such as colds, or an allergic reaction. Some people never get sinusitis, and others develop sinusitis frequently.

People more likely to get frequent sinusitis include those with cystic fibrosis or a weakened immune system (such as people with HIV and those receiving chemotherapy).

Other risks for developing sinusitis include:

Having asthma
Overuse of nasal decongestants (rather than continuing to relieve congestion, the problem gets worse when these are used too often or for too long)
Having a deviated nasal septum, nasal bone spur or polyp, or (uncommonly) a facial tumor
Presence of a foreign body in your nose
Frequent swimming or diving
Dental work
Pregnancy
Changes in altitude (flying or climbing)
Exposure to air pollution and cigarette smoke
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a disorder in which the acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus
Hospitalization, especially if the reason you are in the hospital is related to a head injury or you needed a tube inserted into the nose (for example, a nasogastric tube from your nose to your stomach)

Cystic fibrosis is one of a number of diseases that prevent the cilia from working properly. Other such diseases that put you at increased risk for sinusitis include Kartagener's syndrome and immotile cilia syndrome.

SINUSITIS RELATED ITEMS

	SINUSITIS DEFINITION
	SINUSITIS DESCRIPTION
	SINUSITIS CAUSES
	SINUSITIS SYMPTOMS
	SINUSITIS DIAGNOSIS
	SINUSITIS TREATMENTS
	SINUSITIS PROGNOSIS
	SINUSITIS INFORMATION
	SINUSITIS PREVENTION