Sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the membranes that line the nasal passages and sinuses, the air-filled spaces at the front of the skull. Most colds – infection with one of the common cold viruses – cause a stuffy or bunged up nose, which clears up within a few days. But if the sinuses become inflamed, other symptoms such as headache and painful swelling of the face may develop.
The sinuses are hollow air-filled spaces in the skull bones. They’re connected to the nose and lined with the same membrane, called mucous membrane, which produces a slimy secretion (mucus) to keep the passageways moist and trap dirt particles. There are four main sets of sinuses. The frontal sinuses are on either side of the forehead above the eyes. The maxillary sinuses are in each cheekbone. The smaller ethmoid sinuses are behind the bridge of the nose and between the eyes, and the sphenoids are between the upper part of the nose and behind the eyes.
Sinusitis may only last a few days (acute sinusitis), or it may be an ongoing problem that, without treatment, never completely goes away (chronic sinusitis). Acute sinusitis is common, chronic sinusitis is less common. Babies under one don’t get sinusitis because their sinuses are not fully developed, but it can otherwise affect people of any age.
Most cold viruses only result in a blocked nose. However, if the mucous membrane lining the nasal passages and sinuses swells up, this can block off mucus drainage holes. Mucus builds up behind the blockage causing the pressure and pain of sinusitis. Bacteria or fungi are more likely to grow in sinuses that can’t drain properly, and bacterial infection often causes more inflammation and pain.
Chronic sinusitis is caused by anything that irritates the lining of the nose over long periods and causes the mucous membrane to swell. Examples include:
People who have allergy-based asthma often have sinusitis as well. Any problem with the nose which blocks the drainage holes can produce sinusitis, such as polyps (little nodules of mucous membrane) or injury causing the bridge to lean to one side (deviated nasal septum). Dental infections can spread to the sinuses. Rarer causes of sinusitis include conditions that impair the immune system such as AIDS and cystic fibrosis. Swimming, air pollution and smoking can aggravate sinusitis.
The main symptom of sinusitis is a throbbing pain and pressure in the face, which is made worse by bending forwards. Frontal sinusitis causes pain over the forehead above the eyebrows, which may be tender to touch. Maxillary sinusitis causes aching in the upper jaw, teeth and cheeks which may be mistaken for toothache.
Inflammation of the ethmoid sinuses causes pain around and between the eyes and the sides of the nose. Inflammation of the sphenoid sinus can cause earache, neck pain or an ache behind the eyes, at the top of the head or in the temples.
Other typical symptoms include:
Sinusitis can also cause a high temperature, weakness, tiredness, loss of taste and sense of smell, and a cough that produces mucus, which is worse at night. Very rarely, the infection can spread to the facial bones or the membranes lining the brain (meningitis). Occasionally a pocket of pus (abscess) can form in an eye socket, the brain or a facial bone.
The doctor will ask about symptoms, touch parts of the face to find any pain or swelling, and may use a technique called transillumination, where a bright light held against the cheek or forehead in a dark room. The light should pass through normal sinuses; if it doesnt, this suggests a blockage.
If the symptoms and physical findings are typical of sinusitis, no further testing is usually needed. If there’s any doubt, the doctor may recommend X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerised tomography (CT). Nasal endoscopy may be used to investigate chronic sinusitis. A flexible telescope with a light on the end is inserted into the nostril to examine the inside of the sinuses. This test is usually done under local anaesthetic.
it is possible to reduce the chances of developing sinusitis. Here are some things that might be helpful, especially for people who are prone to sinusitis:
