Sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses.
Conditions that can cause sinus blockage include:
- The common cold
- Allergic rhinitis
- Small growths in the lining of the nose called nasal polyps
- A deviated septum
It can be acute or chronic, and it can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, allergies, or even an autoimmune reaction. A sinus is a hollow space in the body. There are many types of sinus, but sinusitis affects the paranasal sinuses, the spaces behind the face that lead to the nasal cavity.Sinusitis occurs when mucus builds up and the sinuses become inflamed.
Symptoms
If the patient has two or more of the following symptoms and thick, green or yellow nasal discharge, they may be diagnosed with acute sinusitis.
- facial pain and pressure
- blocked nose
- nasal discharge
- reduced sense of smell
- congestion
- cough
In more advanced cases, the following symptoms may also be present:
- fever
- halitosis, or foul-smelling breath
- tiredness
- toothache
- headache