7 Ways to Prevent Sinus Infections

By Marlo Sollitto, AgingCare.com contributing editor

Your nose is stuffy. You have thick, yellowish mucus. You’re coughing, and you feel tired and achy. You think that you have a cold. You take medicines to relieve your symptoms, but they don’t help. When you also get a terrible headache, you finally drag yourself to the doctor. After listening to your history of symptoms and examining your face and forehead, the doctor says you have sinusitis.

Whether it’s acute or chronic, sinusitis is painful and wearying. It’s common too: every year, it affects 37 million people in the U.S. Sinusitis doesn’t discriminate based on age.

What Is Sinusitis?

“Sinusitis” simply means your sinuses are inflamed―red and swollen―because of an infection or another problem.

When people say, “My sinuses are killing me,” they usually are referring to symptoms of congestion and achiness in one or more of the four pairs of cavities (air-filled spaces) known as paranasal sinuses. These small hollow spaces are named for the bones that contain them:

Over the eyes in the brow area (Frontal sinuses)
Inside each cheekbone (Maxillary sinuses)
Behind the bridge of the nose, between the eyes (Ethmoid sinuses)

What Causes the Pain?

The pain of a sinus attack arises because the trapped air and mucus put pressure on the mucous membrane of the sinuses and the bony wall behind it. Also, when a swollen membrane at the opening of a paranasal sinus prevents air from entering into the sinuses, it can create a vacuum that causes pain.

Next: 7 Ways Sinusitis Can Be Prevented

Sinus Infections: Preventing the Pain, Pressure and Congestion originally appeared on AgingCare.com.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sarah H.

6:44PM PDT on Apr 11, 2013

This is a great article about how to get rid of sinus infection. There are also a number of home remedies that can tried to treat sinus infection. Here is a great article on home remedies for sinus infection.

http://yourhomeremedies.net/effective-home-remedies-for-sinus-infection/

April 11
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6:40PM PDT on Apr 11, 2013

Tara P.

7:12AM PST on Jan 22, 2013

A sinus infection is rough and I get them all the time. I am so grateful I have the MD247 service. I just pick up the phone and I can speak with a doctor within minutes. They are even able to provide me with the comfort and relief that I need any time day or night. Sinus Infection

January 22
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LMj S.

2:43PM PDT on Aug 31, 2012

Thank you for info.

August 31
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2:42PM PDT on Aug 31, 2012

Michele D.

1:09PM PDT on Aug 28, 2012

I use to get sinus infections every year when I hit my thirties and I could not understand why. I was always very healthy never got sick I have black circles under my eyes, and always knew that the body just warning signals when there something wrong. I just didn't understand with the black circles meant. I was so tired all the time I thought
I have mono. Tested for allergies ended up having allergies got allergy shots and then I never again have a sinus infection or cold every single winter since. I have lost my smell and taste for a year, didn't even realize it until the time went to visit my mother and she was cooking something that I like
But could not smell. It took being tested for allergies to find this out. I said to the nurse that was giving me my
ergy shots it's funny ever since I've been getting shots I never get a sinus infection anymore or even the common cold. She said to me you know it's funny every single patient says exact same thing you said. Don't get sinus infections anymore or even a cold. I said to the nurse, than that must be the cure to the common cold. Getting allergy shots. It takes patients getting them I went for 3 and a half years. Anyone I talk to including my cousin that went through the exact same symptoms I went through with the dark circles losing your taste and smell, feeling sleepy all the time until getting allergy shots and then all this
went away. the ear nose and throat doctors tell you that it's not 100 percent cure for allergie

August 28
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12:43PM PDT on Aug 28, 2012

sI used to get sinus infections every year when I hit my 30's and had no idea why. I wad always healthy and had dark circles under my eyes. I know the body gives you warning sings when something is wrong and I thought I had Mono because I was so sleepy all the time. And I knew I got enough sleep. Well, I lost my smell and taste for a year and didn't realize it untill a year.I

Patty L.

11:24AM PDT on Aug 26, 2012

Thanks.

August 26
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Celina D.

9:03PM PDT on Aug 21, 2012

This is a great inspiring article. I am pretty much pleased with your good work. You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post.

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