A deep dive into sinusitis symptoms, causes and management

Sinusitis is swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. Sinuses are structures inside the face that are normally filled with air. Bacterial infections, viral infections and allergies can irritate these sinuses and cause them to get blocked and filled with fluid. This leads to pressure and pain in the face, a stuffy nose and other symptoms. Sinusitis is also sometimes called rhinosinusitis. The terms sinusitis and rhinosinusitis are often switchable, as there is a minute difference between them. Sinusitis specifically refers to the inflammation of the sinuses, while rhinosinusitis involves inflammation of both the sinuses and the nasal cavity. In short, rhinosinusitis covers a broader area, including the nasal passages. Understanding this minute yet important difference helps in accurately diagnosing and treating the condition.