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• The Sinuses & Infection
• Sinusitis
• Underlying Causes of Sinusitis
• Benefits of Nasal Cleansing
• The Benefits of Cleansing with SaltAire by Rhinaris
• Resources
• References
The Sinuses & Infection
What are sinuses?
The sinuses are air-filled spaces found in the bones of the head and face. Everyone has four pairs of sinuses. They are located on either side of the nose in your cheeks, behind and between the eyes, in the forehead and at the back of the nasal cavity.
Like the inside of the nose, the sinuses are lined with a moist, thin layer of tissue called the mucous membrane. The mucous membrane helps moisten the air we breathe and produces mucus which traps and removes inhaled pollutants such as dust, mold and germs.
On the surface of the cells of the mucous membrane are microscopic hairs called cilia. The cilia beat back and forth in waves to clear mucus from the sinuses through a narrow opening in the nose and then move the mucus toward the back of the nose to be swallowed.
What causes an infection?
If you have a cold or allergies, the mucous membrane can get irritated and swollen, it will produce even more mucus, which is often thicker and stickier, making it more difficult for the large quantity of mucus to drain properly. The delicate cilia can also become damaged from an infection, preventing it from sweeping away the mucus. These factors contribute to a blocked nose and sinuses.
When these tiny openings that drain the sinuses get blocked, mucus becomes trapped in the sinuses, creating a resting place for bacteria, viruses, or fungi to grow. This can inevitably reduce the mucous membrane’s ability to fight infection.
Sinusitis
Acute & Chronic Sinusitis
With acute sinusitis, the sinuses become inflamed and swollen, which interferes with drainage and causes mucus to build up. It may be difficult to breathe through your nose; the area around your eyes and face may feel swollen and you may have throbbing facial pain or a headache.
Acute sinusitis is most often caused by the common cold. Other triggers include bacteria, allergies and fungal infections. Treatment of acute sinusitis depends on the cause. In most cases, antibiotics, decongestants, or even home remedies are all the treatment that is required. However, if the sinusitis persists, it can lead to serious infections and other complications. Sinusitis that lasts for more than eight weeks, or keeps coming back, is known as chronic sinusitis.
Chronic sinusitis may be caused by an infection but it can also be caused by growths in the sinuses (nasal polyps) or a deviated nasal septum. An appropriate sinusitis treatment plan can usually be developed after identifying the factors contributing to chronic sinusitis. In most cases, simple remedies, including dietary changes, allergen avoidance and daily nasal cleansing with a product such as SaltAire by Rhinaris, are enough to dramatically improve or even resolve sinus problems.
Underlying Causes of Sinusitis
Allergies: Environmental allergies can be a major factor contributing to chronic sinusitis. While many people have obvious seasonal symptoms, such as sneezing, itching and runny eyes, others may have more subtle, year-round symptoms that can make diagnosis more difficult.
Mold: Inhaled fungus and mold trapped in the nasal mucus are major causes of sinusitis. Cleansing the nasal passages with a saline nasal wash, such as SaltAire by Rhinaris, will wash away such trapped inhalants.
Immune Disorders: Although an unusual cause, immune disorders, including the inability to manufacture antibodies properly, can lead to chronic sinusitis.
Benefits of Nasal Cleansing
Cleansing the nose and sinuses with saltwater has been recommended for centuries as an effective method of improving nasal breathing and promoting sinus health. Today, medical studies are confirming the effectiveness of this simple daily process and as a result, an increasing number of people are turning to this method to finally feel relief.
Independent research conducted by the Mayo Clinic found that mold and fungus are present in everyone’s mucus and are the main underlying causes of sinusitis. Several published university studies have confirmed the value of nasal cleansing with a hypertonic solution for relieving sinus symptoms and improving respiratory health.
Nasal cleansing with a hypertonic saline solution helps clear the nasal passages of mucus, shrinks nasal membranes and promotes mucociliary flow, the body’s natural nasal cleansing and filtering system. Inhaled material including pollen, dust, mold and other irritants are removed with this type of saline nasal wash.
The Benefits of Cleansing with SaltAire by Rhinaris
- Developed by leading ENT specialists.
- Its unique, award-winning patented dispenser is easy and ready-to-use.
- No mixing or measuring required, no difficult packets to open. It takes only seconds to use each day.
- Specially formulated, pH balanced, hypertonic solution.
- Buffered to be more gentle and non-irritating.
- Convenient, affordable and now portable in our new 3 fl. oz. travel/trial size bottle.
- Easy to clean with soap and water, and is also dishwasher safe!
- The large volume of saline flowing into the nasal passages will help provide relief from allergies and sinus congestion.
- Recommended by doctors, ENT specialists and pharmacists nation-wide.
Resources
Additional information about sinusitis and related topics is available through the following organizations and outlets:
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) is the largest professional medical specialty organization representing allergists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and other physicians with a special interest in allergy.
American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS)
The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) is the world's largest society of physicians who treat disorders of the ear, nose and throat and related structures of the head and neck.
American Lung Association
The ALA is a voluntary health organization that fights lung disease in all forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control and environmental health.
American Rhinologic Society
The American Rhinologic Society promotes excellence in clinical care, investigation and education in the fields of Rhinology and Sinusology. The ARS is the only professional organization that deals specifically with the issues of sinus surgery.
Mayo Clinic
The Mayo Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization that provides patient care through integrated clinical practice, education and research.
MEDLINEplus National Library of Medicine
MEDLINEplus contains comprehensive good health information from the world's largest medical library, the National Library of Medicine. Follow the link to their section on sinusitis.
National Institutes of Health
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease represent one of the leading research centers for all of healthcare. Read the fact sheet on Rhinosinusitis and Allergy.
National Jewish Medical and Research Center
National Jewish Medical and Research Center is known worldwide for treatment of patients with respiratory, immune and allergic disorders. The center aims to develop clinical programs, conduct research and inform both health professionals and consumers.
References
Talbot A et al. Mucociliary Clearance and Buffered Hypertonic Saline Solution. Laryngoscope 1997; 107 500-503
Daviskas E et al. Inhalation of Hypertonic Saline Enhances Mucociliary Clearance in Asthmatic and Healthy Sub. Eur Resp J 1996;9(4):725-32
Homer JJ et al. The Effect of pH of Douching Sol’ns on Mucociliary Clearance. Clin Oto. 1999;24(4):312-315
Shoseyov D et al. Hypertonic Saline for Chronic Sinusitis. J Allergy Clin Immunology 1998;101(5):602-605
Heatley D et al. Nasal irrigation for the Alleviation of Sinonasal Symptoms. Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2001 125(44-48).
Robinson M et al. Effect of Increasing Doses of Hypertonic Saline on Mucociliary Clearance in Patients with CF. Thorax 1997;10:900-903
Tomooka LT et al. Clinical Study and Literature Review of Nasal Irrigation. Laryngoscope 2000 110:1189-1193
Ponikau JU, et al. The Diagnosis and Incidence of Allergic Fungal Sinusitis. Mayo Clin Proc.1999;74:877-884
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