Rhinosinusitis
Rhinosinusitis is inflammation of the nose and sinuses. It has a variety of causes and treatments.
When rhinosinusitis lasts a few days or weeks, it is called acute rhinosinusitis. When it lasts for months or years, it is called chronic rhinosinusitis.
Additional symptoms beyond the nose and sinuses include fatigue, pain in the neck, back, and joints, and pressure against the eyes. These symptoms can interfere with work, causing lost productivity. They can also interfere with socializing, as inflamed sinuses can produce funny facial gestures that lead to miscommunication.
The body produces inflammation and mucus as methods to protect and defend itself. These processes can prevent pathogens from causing more serious harm, and the sinuses also warm and filter the air one breathes. However, an excess of mucus or inflammation (in amount or duration) can cause worse problems than it would prevent. For this reason, a balance between how much mucus and inflammation the body produces versus removes can play a vital role in healthy sinuses.
