Sinusitis
Sinusitis is inflammation of the linings of the sinuses - the air-filled spaces in your skull behind the bones of your face and forehead. The maxillary sinuses in each cheekbone are most commonly affected by sinusitis which can be short or long-term. Sinusitis lasting a few days to a few weeks is called acute sinusitis but if it lasts three months or more it is known as chronic sinusitis and can affect people of any age. Most bouts of acute sinusitis are caused by an infection such as a cold whereas chronic sinus problems are usually linked to something that regularly irritates the lining of the nose such as infection, pollen, overuse of decongestant nose sprays and allergies.
What are my sinuses?
These are the four pairs of cavities (air-filled spaces) known as paranasal sinuses in the head. These small hollow spaces, which are located within the skull or bones of the head surrounding the nose, are named for the bones that contain them, namely:
Frontal sinuses over the eyes in the brow area.
Maxillary sinuses inside each cheekbone.
Ethmoid sinuses just behind the bridge of the nose, between the eyes.
Sphenoid sinuses behind the ethmoids in the upper region of the nose and behind the eyes.
The paranasal sinuses open into the nasal cavity and are lined with cells that make mucus to keep the nose from drying out during breathing and to trap unwanted materials so that they do not reach the lungs.
What are the symptoms of sinusitis?
The main symptom of sinusitis is a throbbing pain and pressure in the face, which is worse bending forwards. There may be pain above the eyebrows, the forehead may be tender to touch and you may feel as if you have toothache in the upper teeth. Other typical symptoms include a blocked nose, headaches, reduced sense of smell & taste. Very interestingly, dentists often say sinusitis is often associated with toothache, but because the nerves are interconnected, people find their teeth very sensitive. Because your nose can get stuffy or congested when you have a condition like the common cold, you may confuse simple nasal congestion with sinusitis. A cold usually lasts about 7 to 14 days and goes away without treatment, whereas acute sinusitis often lasts longer and typically causes more symptoms than a cold.
Doctor’s advice
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Sinusitis vs Other Conditions
Sinusitis, often referred to as a sinus infection, shares symptoms with several other conditions, making it challenging to diagnose based solely on how you feel. Knowing the key differences between sinusitis and other similar conditions can help you better understand your symptoms and seek appropriate treatment.
Sinusitis vs. Common Cold
Both sinusitis and the common cold can cause nasal congestion, a runny nose, and facial pressure. However, while a cold typically resolves within 7 to 10 days, sinusitis symptoms may persist longer and often worsen over time. Additionally, sinusitis is more likely to cause thicker, yellow or green nasal discharge, as well as more intense facial pain and pressure, especially around the eyes and forehead.
Sinusitis vs. Allergies
Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, shares many symptoms with sinusitis, including nasal congestion, sneezing, and a runny nose. However, allergy symptoms are usually triggered by exposure to allergens like pollen, dust, or pet dander, and they tend to be seasonal or related to specific environments. Sinusitis, on the other hand, is more likely to cause significant facial pain, thick nasal discharge, and a reduced sense of smell. While allergies can lead to sinusitis by causing inflammation in the nasal passages, the two conditions are distinct in their causes and treatment.
Sinusitis vs. Migraine
Migraines and sinusitis can both cause intense headaches, but the nature of the pain and accompanying symptoms differ. Migraine headaches are often characterised by throbbing pain on one side of the head, sensitivity to light and sound, and nausea.
In contrast, sinusitis-related headaches are usually dull and pressure-like, centred around the forehead, cheeks, and eyes, and accompanied by nasal congestion and thick discharge. Migraines do not typically cause nasal symptoms, which can help differentiate them from sinusitis.
Sinusitis vs. Tension Headache
Tension headaches are another condition that can be confused with sinusitis, as both can cause a sensation of pressure or tightness around the head. However, tension headaches are generally less severe than sinusitis-related pain and do not cause nasal symptoms like congestion or discharge. Tension headaches are often linked to stress, poor posture, or muscle strain, whereas sinusitis is caused by inflammation or infection of the sinus cavities.
Sinusitis vs. Ear Infection
Sinusitis and ear infections can both cause facial pain and pressure, but they affect different areas. Sinusitis primarily impacts the sinus cavities, leading to symptoms like nasal congestion, facial pain, and thick nasal discharge. Ear infections, on the other hand, typically cause ear pain, hearing loss, and sometimes drainage from the ear. While sinusitis can sometimes lead to ear infections due to the proximity of the sinuses to the ear canals, the two conditions are distinct and require different treatments.
Understanding these differences is crucial in ensuring that sinusitis is properly diagnosed and treated, reducing the risk of complications and helping you recover more quickly.
Will antibiotics help?
Sinusitis is most commonly caused by viral infections, and only a small proportion of infections are bacterial. Other than infections, causes include allergies, smoking, and – for the more adventurous among you – climbing at altitude.
Because the most common causes are viral, the condition normally improves or resolves by itself within two to three weeks. Viruses don't respond to antibiotics, so they don't usually have a role in treating sinusitis.
Healthwords pharmacists' top tips
Simple steps can help you back to recovery. Painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are a good place to start. You can also try saline rinses or sprays to clear the nose of mucus and remove other debris, or steam inhalation.
Steroid nasal sprays can help to reduce irritation and inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses. Steroid nasal sprays don’t work immediately, they can take one to two weeks to work, so best to be patient. Decongestant sprays like Sterimar or Vicks or tablets like Sinutab or Sudafed can help alleviate congestion. Some come as a combination of decongestant and painkiller in one like Sudafed Sinus Pressure & Pain tablets.
Quitting smoking will help heal your sinuses, if this applies to you and is a good incentive.
Air travel may pose a problem if you suffer from acute or chronic sinusitis. When air pressure in a plane is reduced, pressure can build up in your head, blocking your sinuses or the eustachian tubes (the airways between the middle ear and the back of the throat that equalise air pressure on either side of the eardrum). As a result, you might feel discomfort in your sinuses or middle ear during the plane’s ascent or descent. Try using decongestant nose drops or sprays before a flight to avoid this problem.
Pharmacist recommended products
Sinus pain and congestion can be caused by many conditions, such as allergies and winter colds. Whatever the cause, this Health Kit aims to provide a set of drug-free products with different modes of action to provide all-around relief and prevention.
This health kit aims to:
- Decongest and flush out mucous from the sinuses
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Boost the immune system and optimise hydration.
Stérimar™ Congestion Relief helps rapidly decongest the nose in the event of colds and sinusitis, allowing you to breathe better naturally. It's Clinically Proven.
The hypertonic solution is made from 100% Natural Sea Water which contains a higher concentration of salt than the human body's cells, to help actively unblock the nose (by osmosis effect).
Stérimar™ Congestion Relief is recommended for children from 3 years and adults in the event of colds and sinusitis to help:
- rapidly decongest the nose in the event of colds and sinusitis by washing out nasal cavities
- wash away even thick mucus
- relieve the symptoms of colds and sinusitis.
Nurofen Cold & Flu Relief contains ibuprofen and phenylephrine hydrochloride, which are effective in relieving the symptoms associated with colds and flu, including aches and pains, sore throats, headache, nasal congestion (blocked nose) and lowering of temperature.
Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is effective against aches and pains (including headache), swelling and can also reduce a fever.
Phenylephrine hydrochloride (nasal decongestant) reduces swelling in the passages of the nose, relieving nasal congestion and reducing the pressure which may cause a headache.
Hydration is important for the mucous membranes to maintain secretions, including the sinuses. Without adequate hydration, mucous, including in the sinuses can become thick and more difficult to move.
O.R.S Immune soluble tablets combine the fast-proven hydration formula of O.R.S Hydration Tablets with a blend of vitamins and minerals specifically designed to help boost your immune system. It has been formulated by pharmacists to provide fast, effective hydration as well as immune system support.
Give your body the support it needs to maintain normal immune system function with O.R.S Immune Juicy Orange effervescent tablets. Each tablet contains 250mg of vitamin C, 5mg of vitamin D, 2.1mg of iron, and 1.5mg of zinc.
These tablets have a tasty and 100% natural juicy orange flavour, free from artificial flavours or preservatives. They're also vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and lactose-free, making them suitable for the whole family and easy to fit into your existing diet.
Using the products in this health kit together, with their different modes of action, can help alleviate pain and discomfort of sinus pain and congestion.
Note: Always read the information leaflets and specific product information before purchasing, as some products may not be suitable for all patients. This may be especially true if you take other medicines or suffer from other medical conditions. Please speak to your local pharmacist, doctor, or another qualified health practitioner if you are unsure about anything.
When should I see my doctor?
If you have had symptoms for more than two to three weeks then it would be worth speaking to your doctor. You should also speak to your doctor if you have severe symptoms such as high fever, or severe pain, or you are not clear of the cause of your symptoms.
How do bacterial sinusitis symptoms differ?
These symptoms fit more with bacterial sinus infection: one-sided facial pain or tenderness especially over your teeth or jaw, yellow-green mucus coming from your nose, and symptoms lasting for more than two to three weeks. Your doctor may consider prescribing antibiotics if they feel it is more likely to be bacterial than viral, and symptoms are not improving. Bacterial sinusitis also often resolves on its own but it can take a lot longer than two to three weeks. Sometimes antibiotics are required to treat it.
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