Causes Of Sinusitis

Nasal Polyps

If nasal polyps are small, they produce no symptoms. Large polyps can occlude the nasal passageways and block the sinuses, which can lead to difficulty breathing through the nose. Fluid buildup and bacterial overgrowth is often a result. Nasal polyps are most common in adults and are associated with chronic inflammatory conditions such as asthma and allergic fungal sinusitis. Cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that leads to excessive mucous production also predisposes individuals to nasal polyps. Symptoms include a persistent stuffy or runny nose, snoring, pain in the upper teeth, frequent headaches and facial pain, postnasal drip, and reduced smell and taste. A surgical procedure known as a nasal polypectomy, done endoscopically, is typically required to treat the nasal polyps. The surgeon will insert tiny instruments into the nasal cavity to locate and excise the polyps. The procedure should take around thirty minutes.

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Asthma

Over fifty percent of individuals with moderate to severe asthma will have sinusitis. Along with airway constriction, the inflammatory process of this disease releases chemicals known as leukotrienes, which stimulate excessive mucous production and swelling in the airways. Leukotrienes increase vascular permeability leading to increased fluid in the sinuses and airways. Sinusitis can be a result of this combination of decreased airflow and thicker mucus in the paranasal sinus cavities. Treatment for this condition consists of bronchodilators for the immediate reversal of airway constriction and long-term medication that counteracts the effects of leukotrienes. Treatment can reduce the recurrence of sinusitis in many patients, and the treatment of sinusitis has been shown to decrease the severity of breathing problems in a substantial number of patients.

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