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Sinusitis
Make it clearer
Sinusitis is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. The sinuses are hollow, air-filled spaces inside the bones that surround the nose. Because they are connected to the nose, the condition is often more accurately called rhinosinusitis; rhino means nose.
These sinuses make mucus, and that mucus has to drain into the nose. Sinusitis is thought to start when that drainage gets blocked. The mucus that can't get out stays trapped, and that stagnant mucus becomes a good place for microbes. It is like a clogged drain: whatever can't drain stagnates.
Sinusitis is also classified by how long it lasts. If it lasts less than four weeks, it is called acute, and it is associated with infection. If it goes beyond twelve weeks, it is called chronic, and what mainly defines it is inflammation.
In brief
Sinusitis is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, air-filled spaces in the bones around the nose; because they connect to the nose, the term rhinosinusitis is often more accurate.
The sinuses make mucus that drains into the nose; sinusitis is thought to start when that drainage is blocked, and trapped mucus favors microbes.
A clogged drain: whatever can't drain stagnates.
If it lasts under 4 weeks, it is acute and linked to infection; if it lasts over 12, it is chronic and mainly inflammatory.
Sources (2)
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of MedicineSinusitis, MedlinePlusPublished
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingAcute Sinusitis, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated