Sinusitis, also known as a sinus infection, is a condition that is caused by the swelling of the nasal passages or sinus cavities. A sinus infection can be the cause of a variety of symptoms such as headaches, pressure in the eyes and nose, and post nasal drip. Others include a fever, cough, bad breath or nasal congestion. Usually, the first reaction people have is "How on Earth did I get this?" It is very easy to get sinusitis almost anywhere, be it at home or work. So let's just go over some of the possible causes of this condition.

It's possible that you may think of bacteria as a big culprit. But it's not. Over the years, medical research has proven that only a miniscule 15% of sinusitis cases are caused by bacteria, and this is referred to as a secondary infection. From this, we can deduce that there is an initial problem in the nose or sinuses that triggers a bacterial infection.

A regular cold, also known as viral influenza is a big cause of sinus infections. As you may know, a cold usually causes nasal congestion; the congestion then goes on to cause a blockage. In the nose, there are large amounts of mucus caused by the buildup of white blood cells in the inside layer of the nose. This leads to impaired sense of smell and/or taste. It may even cause a difficulty when breathing.

An allergic reaction may also be the cause of a sinus infection. As you go through life, you generally become aware of anything you are allergic to, for example, dust, pollen or other atmospheric irritants. If there is too much dust in the nasal cavities, the mucus will be prevented from being secreted, causing a buildup of mucus as well. When sinusitis is caused by an allergic reaction, it usually cause symptoms like ark circles in the eyes, frequent runny nose, extra long eye lashes, itchy skin, and eczema. To gain relief from allergen-based sinusitis, you should aim to reduce any exposure to the allergen. Methods such as sublingual immunotherapy are good for stopping allergic reactions.

Spores and molds, which are usually in the air, are also big causes of sinusitis. Due to our natural fungi defense mechanisms, the fungus that is found abundantly in the environment has little effect on us. However, you should be really careful to avoid common black molds which are found in damp, humid conditions like a basement or swamp. Perpetual inhalation of this mold can cause a buildup of fungi in the sinuses, leading to irritation and eventually sinusitis.

Another often over-looked cause of sinusitis is negligence with regards to self care. Low water levels within the body can encourage a sinus infection. Without appropriate hydration, mucus becomes thick and therefore becomes difficult for the cilia to secrete. Blowing your nose too much over time can also cause sinusitis. It causes a swelling in the nose. One secret cause of sinusitis, which some of people don't know, is stress. A condition named vasomotor rhinitis proves that stress encourages mucus production and swelling. The problem doctors find with sinusitis is that there are so many causes, that it actually becomes difficult to pin-point which one is the cause. You may stumble upon a method to relieve the symptoms, however, without tackling the actual cause, the symptoms will only keep recurring. The main point is that taking care of your sinuses is the key to avoiding sinusitis and its horrible symptoms.