Sinusitis

Did you know?

• 1-5% of the population is diagnosed with sinusitis every year
• 1 in 200 people with a cold will develop sinusitis

Causes of sinusitis

The sinuses can become inflamed in a variety of ways. Once inflamed, the mucus begins to thicken which prevents the sinuses from draining properly. Colds and influenza are the two most common causes of sinusitis as the viruses that cause both conditions can spread to the sinuses.

Other risk factors which can lead to an infection of the sinuses include:

• smoking
• allergies (dust mites)
• asthma
• pollutants (such as car exhaust fumes)
• cystic fibrosis
• inflammatory disorders of the upper airways
• nasal growths (polyps)
• tooth infections
• pregnancy
• chemotherapy
• HIV

Symptoms of sinusitis

The common symptoms of sinusitis are pain, a blocked or runny nose and high temperature. Pain can be experienced in the sinuses as well as in the teeth and jaw when eating. If the nose is runny, any mucus produced may be green or yellow in colour and if blocked, tenderness is felt around the top of the nose.

Other symptoms of sinusitis include:

• headaches
• cough
• ear pressure
• loss of taste
• loss of smell
• bad breath
• tiredness

Diagnosis of sinusitis

If you are feeling unwell as a result of a painful and blocked nose then visit your GP for a proper diagnosis. If sinusitis is a recurring problem you may be referred for an X-ray or CT scan to rule out any underlying cause.

Related Terms

• Sinusitis
• Sinuses
• Sinus Infection
• Sinus Inflammation
• Sinus Tachycardia

Common Misspellings

Sinustitis, Sinus, Sinius, Sinisitus, Sinitus, Sinuis, Sinusitis symptons