Information on Sinus Congestion-Symptoms, Causes and Cures

Sinus congestion occurs when there is blockage in one or more of the four pairs of sinus passageways in the skull. These four pairs of cavities help in warming and filtering air enters inside the nasal passages. These cavities open in the nasal passage for exchange of air and mucus. These openings are called osmium. Cells, with fine hair (cilia) inside the mucus lining, sweeps mucus from the sinus cavities down the nasal passages properly. when the cilia gets infected by harmful bacteria it stops its function of sweeping out the mucus properly causing infected mucus to stagnate inside the cavity resulting in an irritation of the nasal linings. This irritation produces swelling of the membranes, resulting in a blockage in the sinuses. It is also called nasal congestion or rhinitis.

Symptoms:

Following symptoms may cause suffering with this congestion,
• Headache is a very common symptom with patients suffering from acute or chronic sinusitis.
• Pain in upper teeth or irritation,
• Fever and chill,
• Irritating cough and sneezing,
• Fatigue,
• Vomiting and nausea,
• Thick yellow or green discharge,
• Bad breadth,
• Pressure in the ear,
• Pressure or pain in the area above the eyebrows,
• Pus in the nasal cavity
• And swelling on face.

Causes

• Allergic reaction,
• Common cold or flu,
• Hay fever,
• Prolong use of topical decongestants,

Nasal polyps (masses grows from the mucus membranes of the nose. These overgrowths frequently accompany allergic rhinitis. They are hard and freely moveable),

Concha Bolos (an air filled cavity within a turbinate in the nose. A large Concha bullosa causes a bulge sufficiently to obstruct and leads to recurrent sinusitis.),

Position of body remains such that blood entering the head from upside down causes an inflammation in blood vessels in the nasal passage,

Gastric reflux (Some severe acid reflux reaches the nasal area causing irritation.),

Woman often suffers from nasal congestion during pregnancy. It happens due to increased amount of blood flowing through the body, Reaction to medication, Sinus infection.

Cures

* For Babies and infants buy salt water (saline) nose drops. An infant nasal bulb (aspirator) helps removing the mucus. You can also raise the head of the baby by placing a pillow underneath. Ask children to drink lot of fluids and moist the room with mist vaporizer. If condition gets worst consult the doctor and take medicines like cough and cold syrup and nasal spray but not recommended for children under 2 years.

* Older children and adults can take decongestant nasal sprays and drops but not more than 3 days because after that it will increase the congestion.

* Antihistamine reduces the mucus. Also allergy tablets relieve the painful condition. If there is swelling of the forehead, eyes, side of the nose, cheek or increased throat pain and prolonged cough consult the doctor and take medicine according to prescription.