Sinusitis Symptoms and Risk Factors

The primary symptoms of a sinus infection are directly related to the inflammation and blockage of the sinus cavities.

Facial Pain and Pressure

Sinus pressure and pain are key symptoms. The pain usually matches the affected sinus. Maxillary sinusitis causes pain in the cheeks and upper jaw, often feeling like a toothache. Frontal sinusitis leads to pain in the forehead, which can get worse when you lean forward. Ethmoid sinusitis causes pain between the eyes, and sphenoid sinusitis can cause a deep ache behind the eyes or at the top of the head. This pressure can be very uncomfortable and often feels like heaviness or fullness in the face.

Nasal Congestion and Discharge

Nasal blockage or congestion is a common symptom that makes it hard to breathe through the nose. This often comes with nasal discharge, which can be thick, yellow, or green in bacterial infections. In chronic sinusitis, the discharge may be clear but lasts a long time. Postnasal drip, where mucus runs down the back of the throat, is also common and can cause a sore throat, hoarseness, and a cough that often gets worse at night.