Why do people have sinuses?

Most people's normal body temperature is around 98.6[degrees]F. Most viruses and bacteria that cause disease can live and multiply only at around that temperature. The temperature increase, called a fever, can either kill these organisms or stop them from multiplying. This stops the disease.

When you have a fever, it is a good idea to drink lots of fluids. Your body needs the extra liquid to replace the water lost through sweating and fighting off the infection. As soon as the battle with the invading germs is over, your temperature returns to normal, and your body begins to recover.

Dear Theresa:

Without sinuses, your head would be too heavy to lift, and you would always sound as if you had a cold!

Sinuses are large air spaces found in the bones around your nose and eyes. They have a soft, moist lining and produce a cleansing fluid called mucus. This fluid helps wash away any bacteria or dust that you might have breathed.

The main function of sinuses is to lighten the bones in your skull. But sinuses also act as vibrating chambers when you speak. If you place your hands on your face while you make vowel sounds, you can feel your sinuses vibrate.

When you have an infection or allergy, the sinus lining becomes swollen and traps mucus inside your sinus cavities. When your sinuses are filled with mucus instead of air, they can no longer vibrate. This makes you sound stopped up.