When talking about respiratory health the sinuses are sometimes forgotten, but are extremely important for filtering, humidifying, and conditioning the air we breathe. 

The four pairs of sinuses are the ethmoid (near your temple), maxillary (behind your cheeks), sphenoid (behind the ethmoid sinuses, near your ears), and frontal (between your eyes, near your forehead). As air is inhaled and travels to the lungs, the sinuses help to warm and humidify the air. To help avoid irritation or infection, they also filter out dust and bacteria before entering the lungs. Even the tone and resonance of our voices when we speak are affected by the sinuses.

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Ways to Maintain Sinus Health:

• To maintain thin mucus and encourage appropriate sinus drainage, drink plenty of water. Try to consume 64 ounces or at least 8 glasses of water each day.
• To prevent mucus and irritants from building up and causing an infection, nasal saline sprays and neti pot irrigation can be used to rinse the sinuses.
• Use a humidifier to keep the right amount of humidity inside your house or place of business. Doing this can prevent the sinuses from drying out, which may lead to sensitivity or irritation.
• Steer clear of allergens, cigarette smoke, dust, and other environmental pollutants.
• Eat a diet high in antioxidant-rich foods to help lower inflammation. Consuming fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids can also help maintain sinus and respiratory health.
• For efficient allergy management, speak with your physician if you have any allergies. Controlling your allergies will help you avoid flare-ups of sinusitis.
• Hand wash a lot. By doing this, the spread of bacteria that can lead to sinusitis and respiratory infections is inhibited.
• Call an ENT specialist to make an appointment if your sinusitis symptoms don't go away. If your sinus infection persists or doesn't go away in a week or two, you may need more specialized care.

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The Workings of Healthy Sinuses

• A layer of cells that produce mucus lines the sinuses and nose. This is how they operate:
• They release mucus to ward off infections and add moisture to the air you breathe in before it enters your lungs. When dirt, dust, and other pollutants are swallowed, the thin mucus drains out of the throat and is eventually destroyed by stomach acid.
• The sinuses lessen the weight of the skull. Because each sinus aperture is located inside the cranial bone, the head is somewhat hollow and lighter.
• Hyponasal speech, or insufficient nasal resonance, can be caused by nasal congestion or sinus blockage, which reduces airflow and affects voice quality.
• If the face is hurt, it serves as a crumple zone to protect the skull. Similar to air pillows, which can be used to cushion the face after trauma, consider sinuses.

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If you are suffering from a chronic sinus infection or reoccurring ear infection, visiting the American Sinus Institute could provide you with the relief you’ve been looking for. American Sinus Institute offers a wide variety of treatment options and our board of certified physicians in Otolaryngology are here to help. Contact us today!

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