Updated June 08, 2015.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
What is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis is an infection of the sinus cavities, the hollow portions of your skull that normally produce mucous that drains out of the nasal passageways. When the sinuses become blocked by mucous, swollen tissue or growths, they are unable to drain properly. When this occurs, the sinus cavities can become infected. Sinusitis can be acute, lasting less than 3-4 weeks, or chronic, lasting 3 months or more.
Chronic sinusitis can be a complicated condition with multiple factors contributing to the blockage or the inability to fight off the infection properly. For more information, read:
What Causes Sinusitis?
Acute sinusitis is usually caused by a common cold or allergies. The cause of chronic sinusitis may be more complex and is usually the result of more than one factor. For more information on individual causes of sinusitis, read:
- Causes of Sinusitis: Smoking
- Causes of Sinusitis: Infections
- Causes of Sinusitis: Allergies
- Causes of Sinusitis: Structural Abnormalities
Symptoms of Sinusitis
The symptoms of sinusitis can vary between individuals and depend on the type of sinusitis — with headache, facial pain, or pressure being present in most cases. The following are all symptoms of sinusitis:
- headache
- sinus squeeze
- pain and/or pressure in the face
- congestion
- toothaches
- fatigue
- fever
- runny nose
- post-nasal drip
- cough
- ear pain
- bad breath
- diminished sense of smell
Because the symptoms are similar and the two conditions are related, many people misdiagnose sinusitis as allergies. In fact, in one study, 51% of participants misdiagnosed themselves with allergies when they actually had chronic sinusitis. For more information on the symptoms of sinusitis, you may wish to read:
Should You See a Doctor?
With the exception of some very mild cases of acute sinusitis, most sinus infections require a doctor's care. Prescription antibiotics are almost always necessary, and severe cases of sinusitis can even require surgery to treat. A doctor can also help you determine the underlying cause of your sinus problems.
How is Sinusitis Diagnosed?
Your doctor will take into consideration your symptoms, whether or not you have had a recent cold, and a history of allergies or other risk factors that may contribute to sinusitis. Additionally, the following tests are used to diagnose sinusitis:
- physical examination
- nasal endoscopy: Your doctor, using a long tube with a light on the end to see your nasal passageways, may be able to view structural abnormalities or pus draining from the sinus cavities.
- CT scan
- MRI
- x-rays
How is Sinusitis Treated?
There are multiple treatments for sinusitis, ranging from nasal irrigation (with neti pots or saline nasal spray) to surgery. You may need a combination of these treatments to manage your condition. For more information on the various treatments for sinusitis, read:
- How to Use a Neti Pot
- How to Manage a Sinus Headache
- Medications for Sinusitis
- An Overview of Sinus Surgery
- What are the Complications of Sinus Surgery?
Can Sinusitis be Prevented?
Sinusitis can be prevented in some cases. Here are some tips to prevent sinusitis:
- take a decongestant when you have a cold
- manage allergy symptoms appropriately
- stop smoking
- if you have a cold, allergies or a history of sinus disease, take a decongestant before getting on an airplane or going diving
- avoid breathing in environmental pollutants whenever possible
- have any structural abnormalities (ie. nasal polyps, deviated septum) surgically repaired
Some studies suggest that daily nasal irrigation with a neti pot may reduce the number of sinus infections you get, but at least one study suggests that this can actually increase your risk of developing a sinus infection.
Source:
University of Maryland Medical Center. Sinusitis. Accessed: February 28, 2013 from http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/sinusitis_000062.htm
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