What is Sinusitis?

Sinuses are air-filled cavities in the bones of your face. Lined with mucus membranes, these cavities open into your nasal cavities through small sinus openings. The sinus linings then produce a thick liquid called mucus which drains into the nose

When these membranes become swollen and inflamed, the condition is called sinusitis. Often, a lot of mucus is produced and this mucus can block the sinus openings. Sinusitis is a common condition with more than 24 million cases occurring in the United States annually.

Sinusitis can be acute (going on less than four weeks), subacute (4–8 weeks) or chronic (going on for 8 weeks or more).All three types of sinusitis have similar symptoms, and are thus often difficult to distinguish. Acute sinusitis is very common. Roughly ninety percent of adults have had sinusitis at some point in their life

What Causes Sinusitis?

• Cold
• Allergies
• Bacterial and fungal infections
• Blockage of the sinus openings

What Are The Symptoms?

• A "heavy" head
• Headache made worse by bending your head down or forward
• Soreness around the eyes and cheeks.
• What feels like toothache
• Runny nose
• Blocked nose
• Post-nasal drip
• Cough, especially at night
• Sore throat

What Can You Do?

• Treat your colds and allergies promptly.
• Avoid heavily polluted air. At the same time, keep your home environment clean to prevent allergies.
• Inhale steam from a basin of hot water.
• Humidify your home if the air is dry.
• Don't smoke.
• Never use nasal decongestants for more than 3 days as they can worsen your symptoms.
• Always complete your course of antibiotics.
• Use oral or nasal decongestants before you fly or travel to high altitudes or swim in deep water.
• See an ear, nose and throat specialist if you have frequent attacks of sinusitis.