Thanks to the pioneering work of Dr. Setliff, more treatments are available today for sinus sufferers than ever before.

The sinuses are cavities in the face and skull, located above, beside and behind the nose. These cavities are filled with air.

There are 4 distinct sinus cavities:

• Ethmoid Sinuses:
  On each side of the nose between the eyes.
• Frontal Sinuses:
  In the forehead.
• Maxillary Sinuses:
  In the cheek above the teeth and below the eyes.
• Sphenoid Sinuses:
  Behind the eyes.

The sinuses are part of the system that helps you breathe. You can breathe with either your nose or your mouth, but your nose is better equipped for the job because it can humidify and warm the air before the air enters the lungs. Warming the air protects the sensitive tissues of the lungs and bronchial tubes.

Scientists and physicians believe that the sinuses also serve as resonating chambers for speaking and singing. Sinuses also reduce the weight of the skull by replacing dense bone with lighter, air-filled chambers.

The sinuses connect to the nose by tiny passages that carry sinus mucous into the nose. The sinuses themselves are lined by membranes, similar to but more delicate than the membranes that line the nose.

The membranes lining the sinuses move the mucous through the system. The mucous is important to sinus health because it includes particles that fight infection.

When areas of the sinuses become obstructed, you become susceptible to sinus infections. Not only can the infection-fighting mucous not move through, but the obstruction itself can cause an infection.

Scientists and physicians believe that the sinuses also serve as resonating chambers for speaking and singing. Sinuses also reduce the weight of the skull by replacing dense bone with lighter, air-filled chambers.

A number of different things can cause the sinuses to become obstructed:

• Swelling from a cold
• Swelling from an allergy
• Irritants like cigarette smoke or fumes
• Growths in the nose or sinuses, such as polyps
• Deviated septum or other abnormalities

Many of the factors leading to sinus obstruction, such as growths and anatomic abnormalities, are persistent. The best way to treat these chronic problems is to visit a sinus specialist at the Setliff Sinus Institute.