How do sinuses work

The mucus-thinning agent guaifenesin Mucinex is another option. Be sure to drink a full glass of water when you take it. Nasal steroids such as fluticasone Flonase or beclomethasone Beconase may be added to help counter inflammation. Sometimes the main problem is anatomical, such as nasal polyps , a deviated septum, congenitally narrowed paranasal passages, or tissue thickened by years of infection. In this case, minimally invasive surgery may help, reducing the number and severity of sinus infections and sometimes restoring normal sinus function.

Surgery isn't a cure-all: polyps, for example, may grow back. Every situation is different, so it's important to discuss the options with an ENT specialist. There are many things you can do to reduce your chance of developing sinusitis or to relieve early sinusitis symptoms. One of the most important is to promote drainage and keep nasal passages clear. Here are some suggestions:. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Recent Blog Articles. Health news headlines can be deceiving. Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health? Preventing preeclampsia may be as simple as taking an aspirin. Caring for an aging parent? Tips for enjoying holiday meals.

A conversation about reducing the harms of social media. Menopause and memory: Know the facts. How to get your child to put away toys. Is a common pain reliever safe during pregnancy? Print This Page Click to Print. Free Healthbeat Signup Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! Visiting a medical professional is the surest way to get help for your sinuses.

Talk to your doctor for more information. As the COVID pandemic continues, we believe it is critical for patients to be able to recognize and understand the different types of nasal and sinus symptoms when it comes to COVID, the common cold or upper respiratory infection, allergies. Breathing is fundamental and usually automatic. If your breathing goes wrong, though, you realize it pretty quickly.

It may cause discomfort, disrupt sleep, and…. Nasal polyps can seriously affect the quality of your day-to-day life. Sufferers of sinus conditions experience a wide variety of problems with breathing both during the day and while asleep—sleep apnea can seriously….

The purpose of the site is to help create awareness about sinusitis and treatment options for the disease. Please note that information contained on this site is not medical advice. It should not be used as a substitute for speaking with your physician. Always talk with your physician about diagnosis and treatment information. Diagram of sinus infection. Symptoms of sinusitis Symptoms of a sinus infection are similar to those of a cold: Depending on which sinuses are infected, you may feel pain or pressure in your forehead, cheeks, ears, or teeth.

You may have thick, sticky mucus coming from your nose. Your mucus may be cloudy, or have a greenish-yellow color. Mucus may drip down the back of your throat postnasal drip , giving you a sore throat and cough. Your nose may be stuffed , restricting your breathing. Your face may feel tender, especially around the eyes.

Other symptoms include: hoarseness fever fatigue bad breath decreased sense of smell and taste. Chronic sinus infections. Chronic sinusitis is one of the most common chronic conditions.

Factors involved with chronic sinusitis include: viral or bacterial infections fungal infections hay fever or allergies to dust mites, molds, and so on frequent exposure to cigarette smoke or other airborne pollutants nasal polyps , a deviated septum, or a damaged nasal structure medical conditions such as asthma , HIV , or cystic fibrosis aspirin sensitivity respiratory tract infections.

What you can do if you have sinusitis. Acute sinusitis care tips Try moist heat or steam. Inhale for about 2 minutes. Create an enclosed space for the moist, warm air to collect by draping a towel over your head as you lean over the bowl.

Other tips to manage symptoms: Take over-the-counter OTC pain medication to ease headaches. Try OTC drugs such as guaifenesin Mucinex that thins your mucus, which can help to pass the mucus and lessen congestion. Some OTC drugs may thicken your mucus and make it harder to drain.

These include: diphenhydramine Benadryl loratadine Claritin cetirizine Zyrtec Talk with a doctor about corticosteroids. Keeping sinuses healthy. You can take some steps to help keep your sinuses healthy and avoid sinusitis: Keep your hands clean. Maintain moisture in your nose and sinuses. Drink plenty of fluids to keep your mucus thin. Use a humidifier in the winter season, when the air tends to be drier. Use an OTC nasal saline spray to irrigate your nose. Use a neti pot to irrigate your nose and loosen mucus.

Keep the dust level down by dusting and vacuuming often, especially in the bedroom. Medically reviewed by J. Read this next. Leg Anatomy. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. Spermatic cord Medically reviewed by the Healthline Medical Network. Corpus spongiosum penis Medically reviewed by the Healthline Medical Network. Coccygeal muscle Medically reviewed by the Healthline Medical Network.