Facial Pain or Pressure

The sinuses are air-filled cavities in the face and skull bones that link to the nasal passages. When the sinuses get blocked, whether due to a viral or bacterial infection, allergies, or other irritants, they can become inflamed and generate excessive mucus. This can cause facial pain or pressure, as well as nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, and headaches.

Both acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis can cause facial pain or pressure. In acute sinusitis, the symptoms typically last for less than four weeks, while in chronic sinusitis, the symptoms can last for more than 12 weeks. If you have facial pain or pressure in addition to other sinusitis symptoms, you should consult a doctor for an examination and proper therapy.

Nasal Congestion

Sinusitis can cause the nasal passages to become swollen and inflamed, leading to difficulty breathing through the nose. This congestion can cause a range of symptoms, including difficulty breathing through the nose, a reduced sense of smell, a feeling of pressure in the sinuses or face, and headache.

Ear Fullness

Ear fullness or pressure can be a sign of sinusitis, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms of sinus irritation.  As the sinuses get clogged or blocked, pressure can build up in the face and head. This pressure can then enter the ears, causing fullness or pressure in the ear canals.

The Eustachian tube connects the ears to the sinuses, which serves to equalize pressure between the middle ear and the exterior environment. As the sinuses become inflamed or congested, the Eustachian tube can get clogged, resulting in a sensation of fullness or pressure in the ears. Additional sinusitis symptoms include nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, facial pain or pressure, and a headache. If you have sinusitis symptoms, such as ear fullness, it is critical to contact a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Headache

Sinusitis can cause headaches, especially in the forehead or temples.  When the sinuses become inflamed due to an infection or other irritant, the nasal passages can become blocked, preventing mucus from draining properly. This can cause pressure to build up in the sinuses and lead to pain and discomfort in the forehead, temples, and around the eyes. This pressure can also affect the nerves in the head and cause a headache.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a frequent symptom of sinusitis, especially if it is persistent or long-term. When the sinuses become inflamed, the body’s immune system responds to the infection by activating. This can cause the body to emit chemicals and hormones that cause tiredness or fatigue. Furthermore, sinusitis can interrupt sleep patterns due to symptoms such as nasal congestion or post-nasal drip, both of which can lead to weariness.

Cough

Sinusitis can cause a cough, especially when the drainage from the nose and sinuses irritates the throat.

Toothache

In some cases, the upper teeth may ache due to the proximity of the sinuses.

Reduced sense of smell and taste

The inflammation associated with sinusitis can lead to a diminished sense of smell and taste.