Sinusitis, when defined in simple terms is an inflammation of the sinuses (the hollow spaces in the bone of the cheek and forehead) due to viral or bacterial infections. This usually occurs when one or more of the sinus cavities become inflamed due to blockage of the small tubes (ostium) attached to the nasal passages.
Our sinuses are the moist air spaces within the bones of the face around the nose. You usually get sinusitis after a cold, allergy attack, or irritation from environmental pollutants. Usually mucous that collects in the sinuses drains into the nasal passage, but when you have a cold or an allergy; your sinuses become inflamed and are unable to drain. This leads to congestion and an infection of the nasal passages.
Anything that causes swelling in your sinuses or keeps the cilia from moving mucus can cause mucus buildup which leads to sinusitis. The buildup of mucus leads to an increase in sinus pressure and facial pain.
When the cilia do not move, all the excess mucus drips down the back of your throat causing post nasal drip.
There are two types of sinusitis, chronic sinusitis and acute sinusitis.
Bacterial sinusitis tends to make someone feel sicker than viral sinusitis. A person with bacterial sinusitis usually will have more facial pain, swelling and a fever
compared to
someone with viral sinusitis.
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