Common symptoms
Facial pain
Pressure or pain around the forehead, cheeks, or behind the eyes
Nasal congestion
Blocked or stuffy nose making it difficult to breathe through the nostrils
Thick discharge
Yellow or green nasal mucus draining from the nose or down the throat
Loss of smell
Reduced or absent ability to detect odors due to nasal swelling
Headache
Pain centered around the sinuses, often worse when bending forward
Sinusitis occurs when the cavities around the nasal passages become inflamed, usually following a cold or allergic reaction. The trapped mucus creates an ideal environment for bacterial overgrowth in some cases.
Acute sinusitis typically lasts up to four weeks. Most cases are viral and do not require antibiotics. If symptoms persist beyond 10 days, worsen after initial improvement, or are accompanied by severe facial pain, bacterial sinusitis may be present.
After treatment, sinus pressure and congestion usually resolve within one to two weeks. Nasal saline rinses and steam inhalation help clear residual mucus and promote healing.