Acute Sinusitis

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As with other –itises, sinusitis is the swelling of the sinuses, which are passages within your skull surrounded by mucous tissue. When this tissue gets infected or irritated by allergens it swells up creating an uncomfortable stuffy feeling. Mucus production increases in an attempt to combat the infection. This mucus production and inflamed tissue causes difficulty breathing through the nose.

Causes of Sinusitis

The most common cause of this is the cold virus, but bacterial and fungal infections could produce similar symptoms, with the later being more dangerous and potentially leading to complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or encephalitis.

Symptoms of Sinusitis

Facial pain, headache, stuffy nose, runny nose, and fever are all symptoms of sinusitis. What makes it acute is that it lasts for 4 to 8 weeks. If symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks then it is classified as a chronic condition and is more difficult to treat.