Question: Why do I have a constant pressure from top to bottom of my nose? Also difficulty breathing sometimes with mouth closed. I also think that there is odor from my sinus. Is this one of the symptoms of chronic sinusitis?
Answer:
Thanks for your question. While it is impossible to say for sure from your description, it is quite likely that you have a sinus infection. Sinuses are spaces around the nose that make mucous and drain into the nose. If the sinus openings get blocked, the mucous cannot drain and one tends to get a secondary bacterial infection. This can feel like a pressure sensation. The swelling of the lining of the nose makes it difficult to breathe freely through the nasal passageways. Bacteria growing in the closed environment of the blocked sinuses can make pus which will have a bad odor.
These are 3 of the cardinal signs of a sinus infection.
This is the section from our website www.nysinuscenter.com that describes the symptoms of a chronic sinus infection:
Sinusitis usually causes nasal stuffiness and a feeling of pressure or pain in the face and head. It often causes a thick discolored nasal discharge, cough, even severe asthma, loss of ability to taste and smell, pain in the upper teeth, bad breath, a generalized feeling of fatigue and feeling sick. If you are experiencing any or all of these symptoms, a doctor’s evaluation can help determine the underlying cause. Contact us today for an appointment.
I would suggest you have a medical evaluation by a sinus specialist either here at the sinus center or near you if you’re not in the NY area.
I hope this clears things up.
Robert Pincus MD
C0-Director NY Sinus Center
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