Do you feel pressure around your nose, eyes, and forehead? Do you find it difficult to lift your face or make facial expressions? If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it may mean you have a sinus infection. Sinuses are empty spaces usually located behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect the interior portions of your nose. They can be either small or medium-sized. The cells lining the sinuses swell up when they are infected. This will block the path for mucus drainage down your nose and throat. Sinus infection is more likely to occur under certain circumstances. For example, people that have allergies, have a cold, a weak immune system, or smoke are more likely to develop sinusitis.
What Are the Types of Sinus Infections?
Sinus infections can be divided into different types. The type you get depends on how often you experience it and how long it lasts.
- Acute sinusitis: According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, acute sinusitis may last less than 4 weeks. It usually occurs due to a cold or other respiratory condition. It can also occur due to bacteria infection (acute bacterial sinusitis).
- Subacute sinusitis: A subacute sinus infection can last between 4 and 12 weeks.
- Recurrent acute sinusitis: An acute sinus infection becomes recurrent if the infection recurs four or more times within a year. Also, each infection should last 7 days or more for it to be considered a recurrent acute sinusitis.
- Chronic sinusitis: Chronic sinus infections last for more than 12 weeks or continue to recur.
Sinusitis is often confused for other nasal or facial disorders. In order to make the appropriate diagnosis, here are 10 early symptoms that usually occur in people with the condition.