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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffWith chronic sinusitis, the cavities around nasal passages (sinuses) become inflamed and swollen. This interferes with drainage and causes mucus to build up. This common condition is also called chronic rhinosinusitis.
If you have chronic sinusitis, it may be difficult to breathe through your nose. The area around your eyes and face may feel swollen, and you may have throbbing facial pain or a headache.
Chronic sinusitis may be caused by an infection but can also be caused by growths in the sinuses (nasal polyps) or a deviated nasal septum. While most people have a short-lived bout of sinusitis at some point (known as acute sinusitis), chronic sinusitis is sinusitis that lasts more than eight weeks or keeps coming back.
- Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters for Allergy and Immunology. The diagnosis and management of sinusitis: A practice parameter update. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2005; 116(6)(suppl):13-47.
- Hamilos D, et al. Clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, and diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 24, 2008.
- Leung R, et al. The diagnosis and management of acute and chronic sinusitis. Primary Care Clinics. 2008;35:11-24.
- Hamilos D, et al. Management of chronic rhinosinusitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 24, 2008.
