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Sinus is a hollow space in the body. There are many types of sinus, but sinusitis affects the paranasal sinuses, the spaces behind the face that lead to the nasal cavity.

The paranasal sinuses have the same mucous membrane lining as the nose. They produce slimy secretion called mucus. This keeps the nasal passages moist and traps dirt particles and germs.

Sinusitis occurs when mucus builds up and the sinuses become inflamed.

Doctors often refer to sinusitis as rhinosinusitis because inflammation of the sinuses nearly always occurs with inflammation of the nose known as rhinitis.

Types of sinusitis

Acute sinusitis usually starts with coldlike symptoms such as a runny, stuffy nose and facial pain. It may start suddenly and last 2-4 weeks.

Subacute sinusitis inflammation usually lasts 4 to 12 weeks.

Chronic sinusitis inflammation symptoms last 12 weeks or longer.

Recurrent sinusitis happens several times a year.

Signs and symptoms of sinusitis

There are many signs and symptoms of sinusitis and sinus infections. The following is a summary of predominant ones (18 total) that may occur. Most patients have several signs and symptoms at the same time. Others may have some symptoms that are intermittent; most do not have all symptoms at once.

The signs and symptoms of a sinus infection or sinusitis include the following:

•Headache due to pressure in partially or completely blocked sinuses. The pain may increase when the person bends down.

•Facial tenderness and/or swelling when facial areas over sinus areas are touched.

•Pressure or pain due to mucus pressing on sinus tissue or inflammation of sinuses.

•Fever due to inflammation of sinus tissues and infection.

•A cloudy, discolored nasal drainage is often seen in bacterial sinus infections.

•Congestion is a feeling of nasal stuffiness and occurs with both infectious and non-infectious sinusitis.

•Postnasal drip is mucus overproduction from sinusitis that flows to the throat and irritates throat tissue.

•Sore throat is inflammation of throat tissue by postnasal drip.

•Cough is a response to post nasal drip and the body's attempt to clear out throat tissue irritants.

•Tooth pain caused by pressure on surrounding nerves and tissues

•Ear pain caused by pressure on surrounding nerves and tissues

•Eye pain caused by pressure on surrounding nerves and tissues

•Fatigue due to fever, immune response and/or coughing

•Bad breath usually due to bacterial infections

•Itching/sneezing - In noninfectious sinusitis, other associated allergy symptoms of itching eyes and sneezing may be common, but may include some of the symptoms listed above for infectious sinusitis.

•Nasal drainage usually is clear or whitish-colored in people with noninfectious sinusitis.

•Ulceration can occur with rare fulminant fungal infections with sharply defined edges and a black, necrotic center in the nasal area. Some fungal infections cause dark, black-appearing exudates. This requires immediate medical evaluation.

•Multiple chronic (over one to three months) symptoms usually are a sign of subacute or chronic sinusitis

How you can treat sinusitis yourself

You can often treat mild sinusitis without seeing a GP by:

•getting plenty of rest

•drinking plenty of fluids

•taking painkillers, such as paracetamol or •ibuprofen (do not give aspirin to children under 16)

•avoiding allergic triggers and not smoking

•cleaning your nose with a saltwater solution to ease congestion

A pharmacist can help with sinusitis

A pharmacist can advise you about medicines that can help, such as:

•decongestant nasal sprays or drops to unblock your nose (decongestants should not be taken by children under 6)

•saltwater nasal sprays or solutions to rinse out the inside of your nose

•You can buy nasal sprays without a prescription, but they should not be used for more than 1 week.

Treatment for sinusitis from a GP

If you have sinusitis, a GP may be able to recommend other medicines to help with your symptoms, such as:

•steroid nasal sprays or drops – to reduce the swelling in your sinuses

•antihistamines – if an allergy is causing your symptoms

•antibiotics – if a bacterial infection is causing your symptoms and you're very unwell or at risk of complications (but antibiotics are often not needed, as sinusitis is usually caused by a virus)