What are Sinuses?

Sinuses, also known as paranasal sinuses, are air filled spaces within the bones of your face and the skull. They can be found in the cheeks, forehead and around the eyes.

Sinuses moisten the air before it reaches the lungs, and they also prevent infection by trapping dirt particles and pollutants that we breathe in.

 What is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the sinuses4. It is caused by an excess amount of mucus or swelling of the lining of the sinuses, which can then block the narrow channels which connect the sinuses. This can be as a result or a cold or allergies, such as hayfever

There are two types of sinusitis:
Acute sinusitis is usually due to a flu or head cold, where the cold or flu virus causes the lining or the sinuses to swell, which in turn increases the amount of mucus your body produces. This additional mucus causes your sinuses to become blocked, causing infection.

Chronic sinusitis is caused by allergies or infections that last more than three weeks. Chronic sinusitis is generally treated with a course of antibiotics5.

Symptoms of Sinusitis

Some of the common symptoms of sinusitis include:

• Nasal congestion
• Headache
• Sneezing
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Pain around the eyes or cheeks
• Yellow or green discharge from the nose
• Loss of the senses of smell and taste
• Feeling of pressure inside the face