Sinusitis

Summary

Sinusitis means your sinuses are inflamed. The cause can be an infection or another problem. Your sinuses are hollow air spaces within the bones surrounding the nose. They produce mucus, which drains into the nose. If your nose is swollen, this can block the sinuses and cause pain.

There are several types of sinusitis, including:

• Acute, which lasts up to 4 weeks
• Subacute, which lasts 4 to 12 weeks
• Chronic, which lasts more than 12 weeks and can continue for months or even years
• Recurrent, with several attacks within a year

Acute sinusitis often starts as a cold, which then turns into a bacterial infection. Allergies, nasal problems, and certain diseases can also cause acute and chronic sinusitis.

Symptoms of sinusitis can include fever, weakness, fatigue, cough, and congestion. There may also be mucus drainage in the back of the throat, called postnasal drip. Your health care professional diagnoses sinusitis based on your symptoms and an examination of your nose and face. You may also need imaging tests. Treatments include antibiotics, decongestants, and pain relievers. Using heat pads on the inflamed area, saline nasal sprays, and vaporizers can also help.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Specifics

• Acute Sinusitis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Chronic Sinusitis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Fungal Sinusitis American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

Find an Expert

• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
• American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
• American Rhinologic Society American Rhinologic Society
• Find an ENT American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Sinusitis National Institutes of Health

Related Issues

• Colds, Allergies and Sinusitis – How to Tell the Difference American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
• Marvels of Mucus and Phlegm: The Slime That Keeps You Healthy National Institutes of Health
• Post-Nasal Drip American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
• Sinus Headaches Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Sinus Infection and Toothache: Any Connection? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Diagnosis and Tests

• Computed Tomography (CT) — Sinuses Radiological Society of North America
• Panoramic Dental X-Ray Radiological Society of North America
• Radiography of the Paranasal Sinuses American Society of Radiologic Technologists

Treatments and Therapies

• Decongestants: OTC Relief for Congestion American Academy of Family Physicians
• How to Use Nasal Sprays (With Images) American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Is Rinsing Your Sinuses With Neti Pots Safe? Food and Drug Administration
• Nasal Sprays: How to Use Them Correctly American Academy of Family Physicians
• Nasal Wash Treatment National Jewish Health
• Saline Sinus Rinse Recipe American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
• Sinus Infection (Sinusitis) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Sinus Rinsing for Health or Religious Practice Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Children

• Difference between Sinusitis and a Cold American Academy of Pediatrics
• Pediatric Sinusitis American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
• Sinusitis (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• When Sinuses Attack! (For Kids) Nemours Foundation

Statistics and Research

• FastStats: Chronic Sinusitis National Center for Health Statistics

Journal Articles

• Sinusitis

Patient Handouts

• Saline nasal washes Medical Encyclopedia
• Sinus CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Sinus MRI scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Sinus x-ray Medical Encyclopedia
• Sinusitis Medical Encyclopedia
• Sinusitis in adults – aftercare Medical Encyclopedia
• Stuffy or runny nose – adult Medical Encyclopedia
• Stuffy or runny nose – children Medical Encyclopedia

Reference Desk

• Sinuses / Sinusitis / Rhinosinusitis Defined American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

Start Here

• Sinusitis American Academy of Family Physicians