The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull (behind the forehead, nasal bones, cheeks, and eyes) that are lined with mucus membranes. Healthy sinuses contain no bacteria or other germs. Usually, mucus is able to drain out and air is able to circulate.
When the sinus openings become blocked or too much mucus builds up, bacteria and other germs can grow more easily.
Sinusitis can occur from one of these conditions:
Small hairs (cilia) in the sinuses, which help move mucus out, do not work properly due to some medical conditions.
Colds and allergies may cause too mucuh mucus to be made or block the opening of the sinuses.
A deviated nasal septum, nasal bone spur, or nasal polyps may block the opening of the sinuses.
Sinusitis can be:
Acute -- symptoms last 2 - 8 weeks
Chronic -- symptoms last much longer
Acute sinusitis is caused by damage to the lining of the sinuses from surgery or infections. Chronic sinusitis may be caused by bacteria or a fungus.
The following may increase your risk or your child's risk of developing sinusitis:
The classic symptoms of acute sinusitis in adults usually follow a cold that does not improve, or one that worsens after 5 - 7 days of symptoms. Symptoms include:
Bad breath or loss of smell
Cough, often worse at night
Fatigue and generally not feeling well
Fever
Headache -- pressure-like pain, pain behind the eyes, toothache, or facial tenderness
Nasal congestion and discharge
Sore throat and postnasal drip
Symptoms of chronic sinusitis are the same as those of acute sinusitis, but tend to be milder and last longer than 8 weeks.
Symptoms of sinusitis in children include:
Cold or respiratory illness that has been improving and then begins to get worse
High fever, along with a darkened nasal discharge, for at least 3 days
Nasal discharge, with or without a cough, that has been present for more than 10 days and is not improving
Nasal congestion (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Nasal congestion refers to a stuffy nose. Many people think that a nose gets congested(stuffy) from too much thick mucus. Reviewer: Daniel Rauch, M.D., FAAP., Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/23/2007
Common cold (3 images)
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(Doctor-Reviewed information)
The common cold generally involves a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. You may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms. Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 03/06/2009
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