Sinusitis means your sinuses are inflamed, from an infection or another problem. The sinuses are hollow air spaces in the bones around your nose. They make mucus, which drains into the nose; when the nose swells, it can block them and cause pain.
Types
| Type | How long it lasts |
|---|---|
| Acute | up to 4 weeks |
| Subacute | 4 to 12 weeks |
| Chronic | more than 12 weeks — sometimes months or even years |
| Recurrent | several attacks within a year |
Causes
- Colds: acute sinusitis often starts as a cold that turns into a bacterial infection.
- Other causes: allergies, nasal problems and certain diseases can cause acute and chronic sinusitis.
Symptoms
Fever, weakness, fatigue, cough and congestion, and sometimes mucus draining down the back of the throat (postnasal drip).
Diagnosis and treatment
Your health care professional diagnoses sinusitis from your symptoms and an examination of your nose and face; you may also need imaging tests.
- Medicines: antibiotics, decongestants and pain relievers.
- Home measures: heat pads on the inflamed area, saline nasal sprays and vaporizers.
Sources
Based on "Sinusitis," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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