Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Sinusitis
What is sinusitis?
Sometimes your nose is stuffy, you are coughing, and you feel congested and achy. You think
you might be getting a cold.
But the medicines you take to relieve symptoms of the common cold do not work and you develop
a terrible headache.
You visit your health care provider and after he/she listens to your history of symptoms
and then examines your face and forehead, your provider says you have sinusitis.
Sinusitis simply means your sinuses are infected or inflamed.
What are the sinuses?
The sinuses are cavities located within the skull or bones of the face surrounding the
nose.
Each sinus has an opening into the nose for the free exchange of air and mucus.
Air trapped within a blocked sinus, along with mucus or nasal secretions, may cause
pressure on the sinus wall that can cause the intense pain of a sinus attack.
What causes sinus infections or sinusitis?
Acute Sinusitis
• The common cold can inflame your sinuses and cause symptoms of sinusitis.
• If the inflammation produced by the cold leads to a viral or bacterial infection, this
is called acute sinusitis.
• People who have allergies or other chronic nasal problems are also prone to episodes
of acute sinusitis.
Chronic Sinusitis
• In chronic sinusitis, the membranes of both the nose and sinuses are thickened because
they are constantly inflamed.
• It often occurs in people with asthma, many of whom, also have allergies.
• Constant exposure to allergens such as dust mites, pets, mold, and cockroaches, can
cause chronic inflammation of the lining of the nose and the sinuses.
What are the most common symptoms of sinusitis?
• Pain or pressure in the face, depending on which sinuses are inflamed, and headaches.
• Thick nasal secretions (yellow, green, or blood-tinged).
• Nasal congestion with postnasal drip (mucus drips down the throat behind the nose).
• A feeling of fullness over the entire face.
Other symptoms may include:
Tiredness
Decreased sense of smell
Cough that may be more severe at night
Sore throat
Bad breath
Fever
Toothache
How can you help prevent sinusitis?
• Keep your nose moist with frequent use of saline or saltwater sprays.
• Avoid very dry environments and use a humidifier if necessary.
• Avoid exposure to substances to which you have allergies.
• Avoid exposure to irritants such as cigarette and cigar smoke, or strong odors from chemicals.
• Avoid long periods of swimming in pools treated with chlorine, which can irritate
the lining of the nose and sinuses.
• Avoid diving into water, which forces water into the sinuses.
For more information or referral call the National Hispanic Family Health Helpline at
(1-866-783-2645).