Sinusitis refers to an inflammation of the air spaces in your skull called sinuses. This inflammation may occur in your sphenoid sinus (the air space located between your eyes). The Mayo Clinic says bacteria, viruses and fungi can cause sinusitis. If left untreated, sphenoidal sinusitus can lead to visual problems, ear infections and even meningitis (brain infection). There are specific symptoms to help you recognize sphenoidal sinusitis.
Nasal Congestion and Drainage
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, sphenoidal sinusitus can lead to nasal congestion and discharge. Nasal congestion refers to a stuffy nose that can severely obstruct your nasal breathing. In some cases, you may also drain a green or yellow mucus-like substance. Typically, this is your body's response to some sort of infection--bacterial or fungal.
Pain
According to MedlinePlus, you may also experience a headache. Specifically, this pain may be located behind your eyes or between your eyes where the sphenoidal sinus is located. In some scenarios, you experience facial tenderness over the bridge of your nose. Sometimes, this pain may progress to a toothache.
Other Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic says a cough, ear pain, halitosis (bad breath), sore throat, fever and nausea are other symptom of sinusitus. A cough results when there's an irritant such as mucus in your airways. Halitosis and a sore throat result from the drainage of yellow or green mucus at the back of your throat. This is known as postnasal drip. Fever, nausea and ear pain are common manifestations of an infection. The University of Maryland Medical Center says these symptoms may last for 10 or more days.
