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SINUSITIS
The
air passages of the nose, sinuses and lungs are all lined
with a mucous membrane. This has a rich blood supply which
enables it to warm and moisten the breathed in air. A thin
film of mucous covers the whole of the airways and is kept
constantly moving upwards away from the lungs by the sweeping
action of the minute hair-like structures in the membrane.
This forms a most effective filter for removing particles
of dust from the air before it reaches the lungs.
The irregularity
of the nasal cavity and the air sinuses which open into it
increase the area of mucous membrane the air comes into contact
with making the warming and filtering more efficient. Swelling
of the mucous membrane readily obstructs drainage of secretions
from the sinuses and may cause sinusitis. The sinuses are
like little caves with an opening halfway up the wall to let
the secretions out. The mucous membrane lines the cave but
if it becomes inflamed it restricts the opening and at the
same time produces more mucous. This causes a build up of
pressure which leads to pain. Acute sinusitis is usually caused
by a virus and the patient may have a fever, a headache, and
pain in the face with localised tenderness over the forehead
or cheekbones.
After a few days bacteria start to colonise
the damp warm mucous in the sinuses and a secondary bacterial
infection occurs producing a thick discoloured nasal discharge
- catarrh. If the body is unable to combat the infection and
reduce the swelling in the mucous membrane the condition drags
on and the patient may have problems with catarrh for several
days, weeks or even months.
TREATMENT
Treatment with inhalations may help to improve the drainage
of the sinuses. Treatment with Manual
Lymph Drainage and
Connective
Tissue Manipulation helps by improving the circulation
and reducing the inflammation and congestion in the mucous
membranes thus allowing the mucous to drain out of the sinuses
and combat the infection.
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