Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses, which are airspaces within the bones of the face. Sinusitis is most often due to an infection within these spaces. The sinuses are paired air pockets located within the bones of the face. There are:
- The frontal sinuses, located above the eyes, in the centre region of each eyebrow.
- The maxillary sinuses, located within the cheekbones, just on either side of the nose.
- The ethmoid sinuses, located between the eyes, just behind the bridge of the nose.
- The sphenoid sinuses, located just behind the ethmoid sinuses, and behind the eyes.
The sinuses are connected with the nose. They are lined with the same kind of skin found elsewhere within the respiratory tract. This skin has tiny little hairs projecting from it called cilia. The cilia beat constantly to help move the mucus produced in the sinuses into the respiratory tract. The beating cilia, sweeping the mucus along the respiratory tract, help to clear the respiratory tract of any debris or of any organisms that may be present. When the lining of the sinuses is at all swollen, the swelling interferes with the normal flow of mucus. Trapped mucus can then fill the sinuses, causing an uncomfortable sensation of pressure and providing an excellent environment for the growth of infection-causing bacteria.
- Sinusitis has symptoms very different from a cold or the flu. The main symptoms are facial pain or pressure, congestion, nasal discharge or post-nasal drip, and reduced ability to smell.
- The location of the pain depends on which sinus or sinuses are affected. Yellow or green pus may drain out of the nose, and there may be an unpleasant smell.
- Someone with sinusitis may feel generally unwell, but there shouldn't be a fever if the infection is confined to the sinuses.
- People with diabetes or cystic fibrosis and people who are immune compromised are at increased risk for sinusitis. Sinus infections can also cause inner ear problems due to the congestion of the nasal passages. This can be demonstrated by dizziness, "a pressurized or heavy head", or vibrating sensations in the head.
- Sinus infection symptoms include sinus headache, facial tenderness, pressure or pain in the sinuses, fever, cloudy discoloured drainage, and feeling of nasal stuffiness, sore throat, and cough.
- Bacterial infection of the sinuses is suspected when facial pain, pus-like nasal discharge, and symptoms that persists for longer than a week and are not responding to over-the-counter nasal medications.
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