The sinuses are four air-filled chambers surrounding the nose, and their normal function is to produce thin mucus to moisten the nasal passages, and filter out dust and irritants that enter when we breathe. (1)


However, when we catch a cold or have allergies, these sinuses can become inflamed, and mucus can accumulate in them, leading to increased pressure and pain inside them, which is called sinusitis. (1)

Sinusitis symptoms

Common symptoms of sinusitis include: (2) (3)


  • Pain or pressure in the face, especially in the forehead, cheeks, or between and behind the eyes, which increases when bending or kneeling.
  • Thick white, yellow, or green mucus.
  • Stuffy or congested nose.
  • Headache.
  • Pain and swelling under and around the eyes.
  • Weak sense of smell and taste.
  • Bad odor from the nose or mouth.
  • Jaw or tooth pain.
  • In cases of acute sinusitis, the body temperature may rise with severe fatigue.
  • Feeling of pressure in the ears.
  • Cough sometimes.

How long do Sinusitis symptoms last?

Sinusitis is classified as acute or chronic depending on the duration of the symptoms, and the difference between them is as follows: (4)


  • Acute sinusitis: It lasts less than 4 weeks, as most cases begin with a common cold, and often go away within 7-10 days, but it can last longer than that if it turns into a bacterial infection.
  • Chronic sinusitis: Chronic sinusitis is often diagnosed when symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks, despite medical treatment, and is more common among patients with allergies or asthma.

When should you consult a doctor?

You should consult a doctor if you experience the following Sinusitis symptoms: (5)


  • Severe symptoms, such as headache or severe facial pain.
  • Symptoms that get worse after improving for a short time or last more than 10 days without improvement (signs of a bacterial infection).
  • Fever for more than 3-4 days.
  • Recurrence of sinus infections in the past period.


You should go to the emergency room if these worrying symptoms appear: (1)


  • Severe rise in body temperature.
  • Confusion.
  • Neck stiffness.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Severe swelling of the forehead, cheeks, or eyes.
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing.




Do not let sinusitis affect your daily life. Consult one of the ENT specialists at Al-Ahli Hospital for the best-specialized treatments.




Treatments available for sinusitis

Treatment of sinusitis depends on its type and severity. Here are some available options: (6) (7)


  • Rest: Getting enough rest helps the body fight infections more efficiently.
  • Fluids: Drinking plenty of fluids helps loosen the mucus and make it more easily clear from the sinuses.
  • Analgesics and antipyretics: Common painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to relieve headache, facial pain and fever.
  • Decongestant sprays: Such as Otrivin spray, Decozal, etc., help relieve congestion and facilitate breathing, but they are used for only 3-4 days and then they must be stopped.
  • Saline nasal wash: It helps dissolve mucus and facilitate its drainage.
  • Cortisone spray: These sprays help reduce swelling and inflammation in the sinuses.
  • Antibiotics: It is only prescribed if the sinusitis is bacterial in origin.
  • Other medicines: Depending on the cause, other medications may be prescribed, for example antihistamines help relieve the symptoms of allergic sinusitis.


The treatment of chronic sinusitis differs from that of acute sinusitis. In this case, doctors focus on reducing swelling and inflammation, so corticosteroid sprays and saline nasal washes are usually prescribed to control symptoms. Antibiotics may be used in exceptional cases at times. (7)


In severe cases of chronic sinusitis, doctors may resort to endoscopic sinus surgery as a last resort, in which the blockage is opened, the mucus drainage passages are widened, and polyps are removed when needed. (7)



References