Anyone who suffers from sinus congestion knows that it can be miserable. Whether you suffer from seasonal allergies like hayfever or from the stuffiness that accompanies the common cold, the symptoms can be similar but also vary from person-to-person.
Function
There are different theories about the function of the sinuses. Since the sinuses are empty pockets within the head, they allow the head to weigh less than if it were solid bone. Some people think that the sinuses help to humidify the air that we breathe in and others think that they help to amplify our voices. At any rate, they fulfill more than one purpose.
When the sinuses are in good working order, they go unnoticed. However, when all is not right with these cavities, it can be quite debilitating.
There are tiny holes that lead from the sinuses into the nose, allowing them to drain. When someone has an allergic reaction or has a cold, these holes can become blocked. Once blocked, the sinuses become the perfect environment for bacteria, viruses, or fungi to multiply.
Symptoms
When the sinuses are irritated, the symptoms can range from runny nose, sneezing, coughing, watering eyes, sore throat, fever, headaches, pain behind the eyes, cheeks, or forehead, and even aching teeth. Once the symptoms start, they can last for anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months in severe cases.
Function
There are different theories about the function of the sinuses. Since the sinuses are empty pockets within the head, they allow the head to weigh less than if it were solid bone. Some people think that the sinuses help to humidify the air that we breathe in and others think that they help to amplify our voices. At any rate, they fulfill more than one purpose.
When the sinuses are in good working order, they go unnoticed. However, when all is not right with these cavities, it can be quite debilitating.
There are tiny holes that lead from the sinuses into the nose, allowing them to drain. When someone has an allergic reaction or has a cold, these holes can become blocked. Once blocked, the sinuses become the perfect environment for bacteria, viruses, or fungi to multiply.
Symptoms
When the sinuses are irritated, the symptoms can range from runny nose, sneezing, coughing, watering eyes, sore throat, fever, headaches, pain behind the eyes, cheeks, or forehead, and even aching teeth. Once the symptoms start, they can last for anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months in severe cases.
