Have you ever had a cold that just wouldn’t go away and seemed to last for weeks? Or have you ever woken up with a throbbing headache in your forehead or under your eyes? If so, you may have been experiencing “sinusitis” or a sinus infection. The -itis ending on a word, particularly in a medical context, refers to an inflammation or infection of that area or body part.
What is sinusitis?
There are four hollow cavities or air spaces located behind your cheeks, jaw, and eyebrows. The sinuses normally make mucus to help clean bacteria and other particles from the air you breathe. Tiny hairs within your nose help move the mucus from the sinuses so that it can drain – or be blown – out through the nose. Sinusitis occurs when the sinuses become inflamed or swollen, caused by a variety of reasons including: a cold, allergies, changes in temperature or air pressure, and certain physical conditions (such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps).
How can I know I have a sinus infection?
Colds or allergies can cause the lining of the sinuses to swell and your body produces more mucus to try to get rid of the offending virus or allergens, but it gets blocked and then creates the perfect environment for germs to grow, causing a sinus infection. That said, most sinus infections (9 of 10 in adults; 5-7 of 10 in children) are caused by viruses. Symptoms of a sinus infection may include some or all of these:
- Pain or pressure in cheeks, forehead, or nose, and behind the eyes
- Headaches
- Nasal congestion
- Fever
- Drainage in the throat (sometimes called postnasal drip)
- Coughing, often worse at night or when lying down
