Causes of Sinusitis

Sinusitis Menu

The causes of sinusitis may be categorized in the following ways:

Lifestyle Causes - The pregnancy, working with children, and smoking are some of the main causes of sinusitis.

Developmental Causes - Developmental disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, can lead to sinusitis.

Tumors - Sinus and nasal tumors can block the sinus opening, which leads to sinusitis.

Virus. The viral infection may paralyze or destroy the cilia so that they are unable to move mucus out of the nose, which may lead to the sinusitis.
Bacteria. When the opening of the sinus become blocked and the infected mucus cannot move out of the body, it creates an environment for bacteria to grow. The bacteria in turn creates an acid environment in the sinuses, which further paralyzes the cilia. Thus causes sinusitis.
Fungus . Fungus is a plant or mold, that can be ingested with food or inhaled in the air. Once in the body, it can affect the immune system and ignites the sinusitis.
Scuba diving. Scuba diving while suffering from a cold can create too much pressure in the sinuses and leave room for bacteria to grow.
Foreign objects. Young children sometimes try to put objects in their nostrils, and this can introduce bacteria into the sinuses.
Medications. The side effect of certain medications may affect the functioning of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses, which inturn causing the sinusitis.

Chronic Sinusitis is most often caused by:

Poor air quality . Pollution, fumes, dust, smoke or crowded living conditions - can affect the function of the sinuses and mucous membrane.
Weak immune system . When the immune system is not strong, the mucous membrane and cilia cannot do their job to resist infection.
Hormones . In a few cases, hormonal imbalances can lead to sinusitis.
Stress . the mucous membrane and sinuses can react to stress. One such condition is known as vasomotor rhinitis , in which stress causes excessive swelling and mucus production.