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There are many causes of rhinosinusitis. Anything that interferes with airflow into the sinuses and mucus drainage out of the sinuses can cause the inflammation associated with rhinosinusitis. Some of the disorders that can cause rhinosinusitis include:

• Allergies.
  
  
• Aspirin sensitivity.
  
  
• Colds, viruses and other respiratory infections.
  
  
• Tumors or growths in the sinuses, such as nasal polyps (small, round growths).
  
  
• Overuse of decongestant nasal sprays, which can lead to “rebound congestion” that inflames the sinuses.
  
  
• Structural abnormalities. These can be natural, such as a crookedness in the wall dividing the nostrils (deviated septum), or caused by trauma. An example of the latter would be an injury, such as a fractured facial bone, that can obstruct one or more sinus cavities, leading to rhinosinusitis.
  
  

  

• Dental infections that spread to the sinuses.
  
  
• Use of illegal drugs that are snorted, such as cocaine.
  
  
• Other medical conditions, including:
  
  
• • Asthma. Those with asthma may have hyperactive nasal airways, which can lead to rhinosinusitis. Also, pus inside an infected nasal cavity that manages to drain into the throat can sometimes trigger an asthma attack.
    
    
  • Failure of the cilia to move mucus. The cilia are tiny hairs of mucus-producing cells that move mucus out of the sinuses and into the nose and throat. Tobacco smoke is known to damage the cilia. Several health disorders also can complicate this process, including:
    
    
  • • Cystic fibrosis (a hereditary disorder affecting the lungs and digestive tract). This condition causes mucus to thicken, which prevents cilia from moving the mucus out of the nose. As the mucus builds, infections become more likely.
      
      
    • Kartagener’s syndrome (a congenital disorder that consists of three sinus afflictions):
      
      
    • • Situs inversus
      • Chronic sinusitis
      • Bronchiectasis
         
    • Immotile cilia syndrome (a disorder that causes failure of the cilia to clear mucus).
      
      
    • Immune deficiency diseases such as AIDS and hypogammaglobulinemia. Suppressed immune system response leads to an increased risk of chronic rhinosinusitis.

As the sinuses become blocked, mucus inside the sinus cavity cannot drain to the back of the throat. This provides a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria to grow, resulting in infection. Pus then starts to form, and has nowhere to drain, further exacerbating the situation.