A Guide to Sinus Infections - Signs and Symptoms
The human sinuses are divided into four sub-systems that together make up the nasal cavity.
These subdivisions are the maxillary sinus, the frontal sinus, the ethmoid sinus, and the sphenoid sinus.
The four sub-systems of the sinuses are connected to each other, and lubricated throughout with mucus.
When the sinuses become infected, inflammation will occur, causing mucus to accumulate and be trapped, and eventually blocking the sinuses.
As well as making breathing more difficult, this causes pain under the eyes, at the bridge of the nose, in the forehead, or elsewhere in the head.
The typical symptoms of a sinus infection are pain in the different places located near to the four sinuses.
Inflammation of the maxillary sinus will cause pain under the eyes and in the area of the cheekbones, whereas inflammation of the frontal sinus will produce pain in the forehead.
If the ethmoid sinus is affected, pain will be experienced around the bridge of the nose.
On the other hand, if the inflammation is in the sphenoid sinus, this will produce pain behind the eyes or a more general headache.
However, sinus infections often spread, with the symptoms combining to produce pain simultaneously in more than one place.
Sinus infections are usually relatively brief, although in some cases they can be more persistent.
If a case of sinusitis lasts for under four weeks it is termed 'acute'.
An infection lasting between four and eight weeks is described as 'subacute'.
Finally, sinusitis that persists for over eight weeks is referred to as 'chronic'.
Viral infections such as Streptococcus pneumoniae usually last around a week or two at most.
A similarly short-lived outbreak can be triggered by a fungal infection, or by exposure to airborne irritants like pollen and cigarette smoke.
Most cases of sinusitis will clear up of their own accord, although the symptoms can be relieved by means of decongestants and painkillers available from pharmacies.
As regards chronic sinus infections, signs and symptoms may go beyond those already described, making the condition a debilitating one.
Patients may experience nausea and a general feeling of being unwell.
This is often due to mucus draining down the throat and into the stomach, where it upsets digestion.
Sometimes toothache and bad breath may be a problem as well.
If a sinus infection lasts longer than eight weeks, it is important to visit a doctor, since there are rare cases where permanent damage may occur, through infections of the eye socket or even the brain.
These subdivisions are the maxillary sinus, the frontal sinus, the ethmoid sinus, and the sphenoid sinus.
The four sub-systems of the sinuses are connected to each other, and lubricated throughout with mucus.
When the sinuses become infected, inflammation will occur, causing mucus to accumulate and be trapped, and eventually blocking the sinuses.
As well as making breathing more difficult, this causes pain under the eyes, at the bridge of the nose, in the forehead, or elsewhere in the head.
The typical symptoms of a sinus infection are pain in the different places located near to the four sinuses.
Inflammation of the maxillary sinus will cause pain under the eyes and in the area of the cheekbones, whereas inflammation of the frontal sinus will produce pain in the forehead.
If the ethmoid sinus is affected, pain will be experienced around the bridge of the nose.
On the other hand, if the inflammation is in the sphenoid sinus, this will produce pain behind the eyes or a more general headache.
However, sinus infections often spread, with the symptoms combining to produce pain simultaneously in more than one place.
Sinus infections are usually relatively brief, although in some cases they can be more persistent.
If a case of sinusitis lasts for under four weeks it is termed 'acute'.
An infection lasting between four and eight weeks is described as 'subacute'.
Finally, sinusitis that persists for over eight weeks is referred to as 'chronic'.
Viral infections such as Streptococcus pneumoniae usually last around a week or two at most.
A similarly short-lived outbreak can be triggered by a fungal infection, or by exposure to airborne irritants like pollen and cigarette smoke.
Most cases of sinusitis will clear up of their own accord, although the symptoms can be relieved by means of decongestants and painkillers available from pharmacies.
As regards chronic sinus infections, signs and symptoms may go beyond those already described, making the condition a debilitating one.
Patients may experience nausea and a general feeling of being unwell.
This is often due to mucus draining down the throat and into the stomach, where it upsets digestion.
Sometimes toothache and bad breath may be a problem as well.
If a sinus infection lasts longer than eight weeks, it is important to visit a doctor, since there are rare cases where permanent damage may occur, through infections of the eye socket or even the brain.
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