If you've been feeling stuffy or congested, waking up with a
headache, and noticing swelling around your eyes, you may have
sinusitis. Sinusitis can be inconvenient or even painful at
times, but it's usually not severe. What Is Sinusitis? Sinusitis
is the medical term for inflammation (irritation and swelling)
of the sinuses. It's usually caused by infection. Our sinuses
are the moist air spaces within the bones of the face around the
nose. The frontal sinuses are located in the area near the
eyebrows; the maxillary sinuses are located inside the
cheekbones; the ethmoid sinuses are between the eyes; and the
sphenoid sinuses sit behind the ethmoid sinuses. When we're
healthy, our sinuses are filled with air, making our facial
bones less dense and much lighter in weight. Sinuses also play a
role in how our voices sound. Infection with viruses or bacteria
— or a combination of both — can cause sinusitis. Generally,
someone with a cold also has inflammation of the sinuses. This
is viral sinusitis. Allergies also