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Sinusitis, also known as rhinosinusitis, occurs when the linings of the sinuses and cavities of the nose become inflamed. About 37 million Americans are impacted by sinusitis each year, and Americans spend $5.8 billion annually treating the illness, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The body has four pairs of hollow sinuses located within the dense portions of the skull and bones of the head surrounding the nose. These paranasal sinuses connect the nose to the throat and allow for the exchange of mucus and air. They include:

• Frontal sinuses (in the forehead)
• Maxillary sinuses (behind the cheekbones)
• Ethmoid sinuses (between the eyes)
• Sphenoid sinuses (behind the eyes)

The sinuses help insulate the skull, reduce its weight and allow the voice to resonate within it. The membranes in the sinuses produce mucus, which moistens and cleanses the nasal passages. They also warm air that is breathed in through the nose before it moves on to the lungs.

Sinusitis can develop when colds, allergies or other conditions damage the cells of the sinus lining, causing it to swell and thicken. This impairs the sinuses by blocking the small openings (ostia) between the sinuses and the nose and preventing the free exchange of air and mucus. When this happens, symptoms often result. Trapped air in the sinuses creates pressure on the sinus wall, causing pain. Mucus and pus trapped in the sinuses become breeding grounds for viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Long-term sinusitis can cause serious health problems if left untreated. Conditions known to develop over time include:

• Infection of the eye socket (orbital cellulitis), leading to vision loss
  
  
• Infection of the brain lining (meningitis), which can cause brain damage
  
  
• Infection of the bones of the face (osteomyelitis)
  
  
• Chronic facial pain
  
  
• Loss of sense of smell
  
  
• Chronic headaches
  
  
• Chronic nasal and sinus congestion
  
  
• Chronic bad breath
  
  
• Blood vessel complications that can cause aneurysms (ballooning of blood vessels) and blood clots