Sinus infection (a.k.a sinusitis) is a condition in which sinuses, air-filled cavities in the skull, get inflamed (typically due to virus or bacterial infection). Fortunately it is usually mild, not serious. Even in many cases, it improves on its own within a few days or weeks. However it also can be very bothersome. For example, you may find it more difficult to fall asleep. And the bad news, it tends to get worse at night – why? There are several reasons to blame.
How do you get sinus infection?
The sinuses are located behind your forehead, cheeks, nasal bones, and even eyes. Normally, the air and mucus are able to flow and drain out into the nose through these air-filled cavities.
*Image credit to ADAM
In sinusitis, the sinuses are inflamed and the mucus doesn’t drain out as well as usual, causing some of the following signs and symptoms:
- Nasal symptoms, particularly such as a blocked or a runny nose.
- Loss of smell, which may also be followed with bad breath.
- Cough that usually flares up and worsens at night.
- Pressure-like pain over the affected sinus.
- Other symptoms may include sore throat, headache, and fever (a general feeling of poor health).
There are a number of ways of how you can get sinusitis. For examples:
- Colds are often to blame, especially true if you have allergies. It’s common to have sinusitis after a cold event.
- If you have particular medical conditions that cause cilia (small hairs) of sinuses fail to properly drain out the mucus.
- Some medical conditions such as nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, or nasal bone spur can also be potential to cause blocked sinus’s opening.
