Sinus Infection? 13 Unexpected Causes

Sinus infections, the cause of untold misery, strike about 37 million people in the U.S. each year.

On the surface of things, the cause of sinus trouble is clear. Teeny holes that connect your nasal passages to your sinuses (basically a collection of hollow, moist cavities that lurk beneath your nose, eyes, and cheeks) get blocked. Then gunk builds up in your sinuses, germs may grow, and you feel, well, hideous.

But the cause of the blockage is sometimes trickier to figure out. Here are 13 things that can cause an acute sinus infection (the most common type) and, in some cases, lead to a chronic sinus infection.

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Viruses

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Most sinus infections start with a cold. Colds are caused by a virus, which can make nasal tissue swell, blocking the holes that normally drain sinuses. If your sinus infection is caused by a virus, antibiotics won't help since these drugs kill only bacteria. Your symptoms will probably get better after about a week or so. A decongestant can help, but don't use it for more than four or five days to avoid becoming dependent. The best defenses against these sinus infections are the same things that protect against colds and the flu. In other words, get a flu shot, wash your hands, and don't chill with the visibly ill. More from Health.com: 10 Sinus Infection Symptoms 14 Tips for Treating Kids' Colds 12 Vaccines Your Child Needs

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Most sinus infections start with a cold. Colds are caused by a virus, which can make nasal tissue swell, blocking the holes that normally drain sinuses.

If your sinus infection is caused by a virus, antibiotics won't help since these drugs kill only bacteria. Your symptoms will probably get better after about a week or so. A decongestant can help, but don't use it for more than four or five days to avoid becoming dependent.

The best defenses against these sinus infections are the same things that protect against colds and the flu. In other words, get a flu shot, wash your hands, and don't chill with the visibly ill.

More from Health.com:
10 Sinus Infection Symptoms
14 Tips for Treating Kids' Colds
12 Vaccines Your Child Needs

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Comments

[Cory111]

10:29 AM on 04/22/2011

Could these two stories be related?

"When pets pass gas?"
"Sinus infections."

[pammiland]

02:55 PM on 04/15/2011

NETI POT!!! If everyone used one, it would put ENT physicians out of business.
Much better than saline sprays. I've tried it all, and after using the Neti Pot, I have had no
sinus infections in several years.

[Guitarsandmore]

11:20 AM on 04/01/2011

The nasal spray you should be using is a saline solution. It is not addictive, will not shrink the sinus cavity or passages, and you will not build up a tolerance to it.

Other nasal sprays like Afririn will achieve terrific results for about three days and then will start having the opposite effect and actually close your sinus passage down.

Other sprays all have nasty side effects you don't want.

Ocean, Saline, or just water and a tiny amount of salt; whatever you want to call it is very overlooked and very usefull.

Instructions:

1. Spray two shots in each nostril.
2. Pinch the nose closed with fingers and tip head back.
3. Wait 30 seconds and allow water to drain through throat.
4. Blow your nose gently!
5. Repeat
6. Do it again in about 8 hours

[sierraseven]

07:11 PM on 03/31/2011

Really? Bacteria and viruses are "unexpected" causes of infection?

[Lahn Jung JuLes]

01:50 PM on 03/27/2011

Sinusitis and allergic rhinitis developed from what seemed like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for me. Allergy testing proved inconclusive and doctors weren't sure what the underlying cause was. After some research, I've come to understand that many factors contributed to the condition: stress, environment, unhealthy diet, excessive use of antibiotics, etc. Basically, the immune system has gone awry. The key, I believe, is treating holistically, that is, heal the body, mind, and soul, for they are of one interconnected, interdependent system .

[GothamKnight33]

11:07 AM on 03/27/2011

I finally went to an ENT because I've had tons of nose/sinus issues. The change has been amazing. I don't have crazy sneezing fits anymore. I can breathe better. I would say my life has improved a lot because of it.

[ncyim]

11:00 PM on 03/26/2011

My 10 year sinus issue has just resolved after a series of crainosacral treatments. The therapist was certified in the brain curriculum and could tell where I was clenching my sphenoid. She helped me learn how to relax my upper jaw and other bones connected to the sphenoid and no more sinus issues! The whole issue started when I was drinking milk and eating cheese - a very common cause of sinus congestion. Crainosacral treatments are wonderful to experience and the best way to get rid of TMJ too.

[shoegirl]

09:33 PM on 03/26/2011

I suffer from chronic sinusitis due to allergies....although I also have the polyps and I'm worried about getting the surgery...my doctor said that will probably be next for me but that it is a very uncomfortable surgery...has anyone ever had it?

How bad, or not so bad is it? Just be honest...don't sugar coat it for me if it's bad....thanks in advance.

[bryanzth]

09:25 PM on 03/26/2011

I had a terrible (at least for me) nasal, pharyngial, or sinus condition. It started as a terrible sore throat, then a sinus infection. I was recommended to use a neti pot (looks like a little tea pot, the spout going in one of your nostrils -- or there is a squeeze bottle that works better), which irrigates the areas with a saline solution. After about 10 days I could breathe better than I ever could before. I now use it every 2-3 days.

A lot of people say they are grossed out by this. But if you felt like I did, and used a neti pot, by golly, you would not worry at all about saline solution going in one nostril and out the other!

Of course, consult your doctor or medical specialist before you mess about. ;0)

BZ.

[Endotoxin]

09:15 PM on 03/26/2011

Take fish oil everyday. 1800 mg EPA/DHA.

You will have ZERO sinus problems.

[gleitz05]

11:12 PM on 03/26/2011

While that may be true in some cases, it won't work for everyone. I've been taking fish oil for the last 16 years and still suffer from chronic sinusitis. Mine is primarily due to an overabundance of allergies, something common in people with RA.

[Endotoxin]

10:27 AM on 03/27/2011

How much are you taking and in what form is it?

Some people have better benefits from liquid, others see more results from capsules...Some people need enteric coated capsules. Also notice how I said EPA/DHA. It's irrelevant how much "Fish Oil" it is if the EPA/DHA content is not high. I just read a report from a University describing how the Eicosanoids (EPA) modulate inflammatory Cytokine and Leukotrine activity. DHA is good for your brain definitely, but EPA is the real heavy weight when it comes to managing complete systemic inflammation anywhere in the body.

Another option is L-Lysine and MSM. About this time last year when I took about 3000mg MSM and L-Lysine about 3000mg daily my allergies were vaporized. This was before I knew Fish Oil worked for allergies and not just Asthma. They also are immunomodulators. With the MSM the sinus itching and runny nose completely stopped, along with the irregular bouts of sneezing and sense of being "off-kilter".

[Cory111]

10:33 AM on 04/22/2011

Hello nice lady, it's nice to see you out and about.
I hope you are having a great day.
Cory

[missjuju]

07:20 PM on 03/26/2011

Does anyone else have sinusitis that is accompanied by a swishing sound in their ear(s)?

[bryanzth]

09:29 PM on 03/26/2011

That is the entrance of the eustachian tube from your inner ear. The eustachian tube is a connection between your throat and inner ear (one on each side).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eustachian_tube

I suggest that you see an ear/eye/nose doctor. Or see your GP first. Thing is, it sounds like have this all the time, which means you have a problem.

BZ.

[shoegirl]

09:34 PM on 03/26/2011

I sometimes have that....

[frank day]

07:04 PM on 03/26/2011

Not any real surprises here.

[UncleSquinky]

08:18 PM on 03/26/2011

No, not really -- as isn't the misleading/false HuffPo headline.

[Pete59]

05:26 PM on 03/26/2011

You missed acid reflux while a sleep.

[frank day]

07:03 PM on 03/26/2011

Really, huh. Makes sense.

Maybe you should be writing these articles. :)

[Pete59]

07:50 PM on 03/26/2011

not my idea, I was told it by an ENT consultant (doctor).

[1Kcifar]

05:06 PM on 03/26/2011

You, like all doctors in the U.S. fail to mention use of the NETI POT with small amounts of salt in tepid water.....this will open and cleanse the small openings that go up to your sinus...

Give it a try ...Wall-mart about $7.50 dollars for the neti pot and get a small box of the medical salt (sinus salt ) for about $3.50 ....Instructions will come with the neti pot....IT WORKS

Use once or twice a day till you clear up your sinus.....Doctors and the drug companies don't want you to know this.

[Pearlswan]

06:45 PM on 03/26/2011

True that. It works! Preventative and restorative.

[frank day]

07:04 PM on 03/26/2011

I just use a big bottle of saline nasal spray.
It helps a lot.

[seehowtheyrun]

07:05 PM on 03/26/2011

So true.