What is sinusitis?
Your sinuses are hollow spaces behind your cheeks and forehead. Each sinus opens into your nose. Sinusitis is inflammation or an infection in one or more of your sinuses.
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Viruses, bacteria, fungus, and allergies can cause sinusitis
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You can have a stuffy nose, runny nose, and pain in your face or head
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Sinusitis that lasts for more than 3 months is called chronic sinusitis
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Doctors give you medicine to help your sinuses drain, and they may prescribe antibiotics
What causes sinusitis?
Sinusitis is usually caused by a:
The viral infection makes the tissue inside your nose swell. That's why your nose is stuffy when you get a cold. The swelling in your nose blocks the openings to your sinuses, which causes fluid to build up in the sinuses. Allergies also make the inside of your nose swell and can cause sinusitis.
Sometimes, bacteria get into the sinus fluid and cause:
Chronic sinusitis is more common if you have:
What are the symptoms of sinusitis?
How can doctors tell if I have sinusitis?
How do doctors treat sinusitis?
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
phenylephrine |
No US brand name |
