Inherited or Acquired Causes

• A deviated nasal septum, nasal bone or nasal polyp. It is very rare for children to develop nasal polyps and this is why it is recommended that your child visit a doctor if any nasal polyp growths are suspected as this may be a sign of cystic fibrosis or allergic fungal sinusitis.
• Tumors which obstruct the nasal openings impede the flow of mucus out of the sinus cavities. This trapped mucus becomes stagnant, thickens and causes an irritation to the delicate mucus membranes surrounding the sinus cavities.
  Our body’s normal response to this is to produce more mucus which in turn also becomes trapped in the sinus cavities due to the tumor blocking the opening and preventing it from flowing freely. This stagnant mucus provides the nutrients, warmth and darkness for bacteria to thrive in. which results in sinusitis.
• Cilia which are responsible for the efficient transport of mucus, function poorly in asthma sufferers, therefore making it easier for asthma suffer to develop sinusitis.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when the stomach juice which is acidic in nature travels upwards to the esophagus, larynx (voice box) and pharynx (throat). This results in a person experiencing a sore, scratchy throat, coughing or hoarseness as well as post nasal drip with increased mucus production and phlegm.
• A weakened Immune systems (HIV or Chemotherapy) decreases the body’s ability to fight off any viral or bacterial infection.
• Kartagener's syndrome occurs due to a rare genetic birth defect were ones cilia become immobile and therefore cannot transport nasal mucus effectively.
• People suffering from cystic fibrosis tend to develop thick mucus secretions that affect the nose, respiratory tract and sinuses and have a higher incidence of nasal polyp formulation. The abnormally high salt concentration found in a cystic fibrosis sufferer's mucus provides an ideal environment in which bacterial may grow and therefore also contributes to one developing sinusitis.
• Non allergic rhinitis (or vasomotor rhinitis) which is commonly caused by cold climates, alcohol, perfumes or flowery scents and high or low humidity's may also predispose one to contracting a sinus infection.
• Severe asthmatic reaction to aspirin or other aspirin-like products may make one more likely to develop have chronic sinusitis.

Causes of sinusitis can be broadly classified

Click on any of the following to get more information on each of the different causes

1. Inflammatory and infectious causes
2. Structural or anatomical causes
3. Behavioural or life-style related risks
4. Inherited or acquired causes
5. Environmental causes