Sinus pressure refers to the pressure and pain that results



from the sinus cavities becoming swollen, infected, blocked

and filled with mucus.

There are four pairs of sinus cavities in the facial part of the skull.

They are the maxillary (located below the eyes), frontal (located above

the eyes) ethmoid (located between the eyes) and sphenoid sinuses

(located between the eyes but further above and behind the ethmoid

sinuses).

The sinus cavities have a few tasks

namely: they lighten the skull, add quality to voice

and they act as filters to trap dust and organisms from the inhaled

air.

The sinuses produce mucus that cleans and moistens the membranes of the

nose and throat. Each sinus has an opening into the nose that

permits for free exchange of mucus and air.

When sinus cavities become swollen and the ostium narrow or

become completely blocked, mucus gets trapped in the cavities.

The colleted mucus causes a pressure build up

within the sinus cavity which we sense as SINUS PRESSURE. Sometime the

openings from the sinuses into the nasal passage become blocked causing

a vacuum within the sinus cavity. This negative pressure that develops,

causes the membranes to "pull away" from their underlying structure

resulting in pain and the pressure sensation we term as SINUS PRESSURE.

Sinus pressure is a symptom of Sinusitis and a Sinus infection. Sinus

pressure may feel like tightness and pain behind the eyes and in the

ears. It may depict itself as

unyielding throbbing in your

head and face. Sometimes it may present itself as dental pain.

Vertigo is a dizzy feeling, with a sensation of the room spinning

around you. However vertigo is not usually related to the sinuses like

many think.