What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

Sinusitis is one of the most common reasons people present to the GP in Australia, with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) estimating that 1.4 in every 100 general practice encounters is for treatment of sinusitis. 

In 2011 and 2012, an estimated 1.9 million Australians had chronic rhinosinusitis. It has been shown to have a greater impact on social functioning than chronic heart failure, angina or back pain.

Just because it’s common, however, doesn’t mean it’s pleasant to deal with – and if you’ve experienced sinusitis you’ll know it can be a highly uncomfortable condition. 

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis occurs when your sinuses – pockets or hollow spaces in the bones of your face – become inflamed. The phrase ‘sinus infection’ is often used interchangeably.

There are multiple ways in which your sinuses can become inflamed, but commonly it happens after you have been sick with a cold or flu. When this is the cause, often symptoms get worse about a week into your illness, and can linger for up to 10 days.

It’s also possible for the inflammation to be caused by bacteria entering your sinuses and causing an infection, though this is less common.

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

If you’re suffering from sinusitis, you might experience some of the following symptoms:

• Thick nasal discharge (a runny nose) that is discoloured
• Difficulty breathing through your nose
• Pain and pressure around your cheeks, forehead, nose or eyes
• Swelling in the face, particularly around the eyes
• Headaches
• Ear pain
• Postnasal drip

Chronic sinusitis can often be caused by allergies or structural issues with the sinuses, in which case your doctor may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) to investigate further.

How is sinusitis treated?

There are a range of treatments available if the issue is chronic or debilitating. 

Some of these include:

• Saline rinses or flushes (nasal irrigation)
• Warm compresses over the face to loosen up congestion and relieve pain
• Lifestyle modification such as avoiding allergens, particularly cigarette smoke. Smokers or those who are regularly around cigarette smoke can experience worse symptoms
• If you are experiencing symptoms, you should speak to a doctor to find out the right treatment for you. You can request a telehealth consultation with one of our Australian-registered doctors from anywhere in Australia, seven days a week.

When to see a doctor about sinusitis

If you are experiencing intense pain, your symptoms get worse after improving, or your symptoms last longer than 10 days, it’s a good idea to see your doctor.

It’s important to rule out other factors that could be contributing. Similarly, if you have experienced multiple sinus infections in the past year, speak to your doctor to investigate whether there are environmental or systemic issues at play that might be able to be treated or improved. 

This article was authored by Bek Day is a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience in the health and lifestyle space.