Health Talk: Sinuses And Balance
Director of Rehabilitation Sheetal Patel talks about how allergies can affect balance and may even trigger vertigo coming back.
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Some of you may remember this I like to do it every year around this time of the year because as fall rolls around, we definitely do have more and more allergies that happen, but why? Why do you think it would even affect your balance?
Affects of Allergies
When you get allergies, youre sensitive to something, whether it may be food or, at this time of the year, leaves and grass. In the springtime, you have the pollen as well, but what happens? Youre starting to get congested, your sinuses fill up, but why do you think thats going to directly affect your balance?
Lets go back to our sinus cavity, our nasal passages and where the sinuses are. We have these cavities around our nasal passages, through our face and behind the eyes, and doesnt that make sense because when our sinuses kick in, a lot of us feel that pressure, which we call sinus pressure and that happens to always happen right behind the eyes or right around the temples, and you also can get headaches. When those fill up, we feel those symptoms, were sneezing and have those pressure headaches.
Allergies, Our Ears and Balance
Brain Fog
Alleviating Allergies and Balance Issues
When that pressure decreases, the amount of the fluid in there decreases. It helps our inner canal, inner ear, to function correctly.
Allergies and Vertigo
Symptoms Of A Sinus Infection
Common symptoms of sinus infections may include:
- Runny nose or cold symptoms that last longer than seven to 10 days
- Complaints of drip in the throat from the nose
- Keep chronic diseases under control
- Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth
- Stay current on your vaccines
- Wash your hands frequently
Melinda recommends only using reputable resources such as the CDC, OSF HealthCare or your primary care provider anytime you have questions or concerns about an illness.
What Should I Do If My Sinus Infection Makes Me Dizzy
If youre feeling dizzy from a sinus infection or from similar symptoms and are unsure of what to do, CT Sinus Center is a great place to start. When you first come in, well take the time to sit down with you and thoroughly discuss your symptoms and medical history before we begin up-to-date diagnostics. Once we get to the root of your vertigo, well find a treatment that is the right fit for your lifestyle. You may even be a candidate for balloon sinuplasty, a noninvasive, in-house procedure done with local anesthesia, that promotes natural drainage and healing, leaving you sinus pressure-free and your world a lot more steady.
Schedule an appointment with one of our experienced physicians before things spin out of control. Call 860-BALLOON to schedule an appointment at one of CT Sinus Centers four conveniently-located offices Kent, Litchfield, Shelton and Waterbury.
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Dizziness Fatigue Headache And Nasal Congestion
- Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Reviewed on 12/1/2020
Fatigue, headache, and nasal congestion can all occur due to sinus infections , colds, or common allergic reactions like hay fever. These symptoms can very in severity. If you are concerned about symptoms that worsen or do not improve, seek the advice of your healthcare provider to determine the cause.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
Dizziness And Your Sinuses
Feeling dizzy can mean several things, from feeling off-balance or like your head is in a cloud to a spinning feeling. While dizziness can be caused by neurological issues, issues with the ear are frequently the true culprit. Additionally, ear issues can often be caused by nasal or sinus issues, as conditions like eustachian tube dysfunction, middle ear pressure, and inner ear inflammation are normally rooted in the nose and sinuses. Those suffering from chronic sinusitis or allergy symptoms, anatomical issues like a deviated septum, or nasal polyps are also more susceptible to issues with their ears.
Other conditions of the ear that can be attributed to sinus issues include:
- Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion this is middle ear fluid buildup with hearing loss and frequently an off-balance feeling.
- Acute Otitis Media this is an ear infection which can cause ear pain, hearing loss, dizziness, and can lead to inner ear inflammation
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction this is negative pressure in the middle ear with popping and a full sensation. There is frequently also dizziness or an off-balance sensation.
- Labyrinthitis this is inflammation of the inner ear which can cause severe vertigo , sudden hearing loss syndrome, or both.
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Chronic Sinusitis & Depression
Sinusitis occurs when the cavities around the nasal passages become inflamed. It is deemed chronic when symptoms persist for 12 weeks or longer. Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis in Mechanicsburg experience cold-like symptoms that include facial pain and pressure, nasal congestion, headaches, postnasal drip, and loss of smell. Additional symptoms range from ear pain and sore throat to nausea and fatigue. Because of its unrelenting nature, people diagnosed with chronic sinusitis often experience a lower quality of life and have problems with physical, social, emotional and cognitive functioning. A recent study of 16,224 patients in South Korea suggests that depression and anxiety are also common in chronic sinusitis sufferers.
The study looked at patients treated forchronic sinusitis between 2002 and 2013, alongside a comparison group of 32,448people of similar demographic who did not suffer from sinus issues. None of theparticipants had a history of depression or anxiety. Researchers discoveredthat the patients with chronic sinusitis were over 50 percent more likely todevelop depression or anxiety. Those with the worst symptoms were the most likelyto experience mental health problems.
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What Are Your Sinuses
Behind the bones of your face are four pairs of air cavities your sinuses. Their primary role is to produce mucus that moisturizes the nasal passage and to ward off pollutants and microorganisms. Because theyre usually filled with air, sinuses also help to lighten the weight of your skull.
When the sinus tissue becomes irritated or inflamed, the cavities can fill with fluid and blockages can result. Colds, allergies or physical conditions such as polyps or a deviated septum can all create blockages. Sinusitis occurs when the blocked fluid becomes infected as a result of fungal, viral or bacterial colonization.
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How Common Is Dizziness
Dizziness occurs in approximately 1.8% of young adults and more than 30% of the elderly. It is the number one complaint of patients over the age of 70.85% of dizziness comes from problems with the inner ear. BPPV is the most common cause of episodic dizziness and is most common in adults over the age of 65.
Vertigo As An Interpretation Of Pressure In The Head
If youâve heard of âvertigoâ before, you probably think it means a fear of heights. The truth is that it is the medical name given to the buildup of pressure in specific parts of your ear canal or head. You can simulate vertigo by spinning in place for a while, which causes your brain to experience a slight pressure buildup that leads to dizziness. Vertigo causes nausea and sensations similar to motion sickness.
This can also happen due to concussions, altitude changes, hearing loss, a sinus infection or sinus headaches, high blood pressure or low blood pressure, tinnitus, and many others.
There are two things that cause vertigo. Both of these can happen at the same time or they can happen independently of each other. The effect is basically the same, but the treatment can be different.
The two parts of your body that can be affected in such a way that vertigo is induced are your brain and ears.
In the inner ear, the small hairs and organs that give your brain information on your state of balance are very vulnerable to pressure. In your head itself, the parts of the brain that deal with such information can also be stimulated by pressure.
Other causes include ear infections where a fluid buildup occurs in the sinus cavities and most respiratory conditions including bronchitis.
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Sinus Infection And Neck Pain: Is There A Correlation
People with allergies or chronic colds understand that sinus infections can be a real pain in the neck. Most cases of acute sinusitis get better on their own. Your doctor may recommend treatments to help relieve sinusitis symptoms, but acute sinusitis can cause potentially dangerous complications. Read on if youre wondering if sinus infections can cause neck pain.
When To See A Doctor
Usually, ear problems related to a sinus issue arenât severe and donât last long. Most of the time, they go away on their own. See your doctor if:
- You have a fever.
- You have head, face, or ear pain, or swelling that doesnât get better with non-prescription medication.
- Your symptoms last for more than a week or keep coming back.
Show Sources
American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery: âSinusitis â âDizziness and Motion Sickness â and âSinus Pain: Can Over-the-Counter Medications Help?â
Divers Alert Network: âEars and Sinuses — Instructions for Equalizing Ears and Sinuses.â
Harvard Medical School, Womenâs Health Watch: âWhat to Do About Sinusitis.â
Tampa Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates: âSinusitis.â
Lindsey, H. ENT Today, July 2009.
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How Long Does Treatment Take
No two patients are alike if youve seen one head injury, youve seen one head injury. Each person experiences a unique degree of dizziness, balance issues, or vision problems. Some patients may require just a few weeks of treatment, while others may require something more long-term. The good news is that the improvements achieved by neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy are generally long-lasting.
What Is Acute Sinusitis
Acute sinusitis is a short-term inflammation of the sinuses, most often including a sinus infection. The sinuses are four paired cavities in the head. They are connected by narrow channels. The sinuses make thin mucus that drains out of the channels of the nose, cleaning the nose. Typically filled with air, the sinuses can become blocked by fluid and swell from irritation. When this happens, they can become infected.
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Can Teeth Problems Cause Sinus Infection
Sometimes, a tooth infection can lead to a sinus infection, called odontogenic sinusitis. Odontogenic sinusitis can be caused by trauma, infection, decay, or abscess in the maxillary teeth, with infection spreading from the teeth to the maxillary sinuses. This can happen when the roots of the teeth are very close to, or even protruding into the maxillary sinus. This proximity would generally not be an issue unless the tooth becomes infected.
Sometimes recurring sinus infections can even be a sign of tooth decay. When tooth decay causes a sinus infection, its called Maxillary Sinusitis of Endodontic Origin . In some cases of MSEO, the patient may not feel sensitivity or discomfort in the teeth, so it can be difficult to diagnose.
If problems of the teeth are causing sinus infection, simply treating the symptoms of sinus infection wont resolve the issue. If the source of the infection is with the tooth, you will have to have a dentist or endodontist provide treatment. If the sinus infections persist after managing dental issues, its a good idea to consult an ENT.
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Hold On For One Last Thought
In this article, we have rapidly taken you through the difference between dizziness and vertigo and answered the question, can sinus issues cause vertigo? Even if you suffer from vertigo and have sinus problems that doesnt mean is causing the other.
Balance disorders are complex and can be caused by so many different things. If you are suffering from some form of balance associated problem then you should seek an opinion from an expert in the field. You can read other informative articles that fit with your interests on our site.
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Allergies And The Power Of Histamines
Having an allergy to something means that your immune system is having a strong reaction to a foreign substance thats found its way inside your body. This substance can come from your food, the pollen in the air, or even pet dander. When your immune system encounters this unfamiliar substance, your body releases histamines to combat these unruly invaders. Histamines actually cause the symptoms that we associate with allergies, such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and sinus congestion.
Why Do Some Peoples Hearing Aids Sit In A Drawer
If you know someone who has hearing aids and doesnt wear them, dont let that discourage you from trying hearing aids. Many people are not fitted for hearing aids correctly. The hearing aids are either not strong enough or cannot be easily inserted into the ear. Other people do not allow enough time to adjust to wearing hearing aids. A properly fitted and adjusted hearing aid should provide significant benefit to the person wearing them.
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Discharge From The Nose Or In The Throat
The most noticeable symptom of a sinus infection is the presence of discharge from the nose. This sign is similar to what you would experience with a regular cold or seasonal flu. The mucus from your sinuses may also drip down the back of your throat .
The color of the discharge may help you identify whether youre experiencing a common cold or a sinus infection. The former will often cause nasal mucus that is watery and clear or cloudy. The latter often comes with mucus that has a green or yellow tint. The discoloration is not a product of the bacteria itself. Instead, it is a result of your immune system fighting the infection by increasing white blood cells.
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Will My Insurance Pay For My Hearing Aids
Unfortunately, it depends on what type of insurance you have. Many insurance companies will not pay for your hearing aids. There ARE insurance plans that DO pay a specific amount toward your hearing aids. The best thing you can do is call the number on the back of your card and ask for your Hearing Aid Benefit. We realize though, that this can be a very confusing and difficult process. If you need help understanding your personal hearing aid benefit, we are more than happy to call on your behalf and get verification of your benefits BEFORE going through with the hearing aid fitting and purchase.Additionally, you may always ask us to send a bill for the hearing aids to your insurance provider, even if there is no guarantee of benefits.
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How Is Acute Sinusitis Diagnosed
Acute sinusitis is usually diagnosed by discussing all of your symptoms and medical history with your doctor. In a physical exam, your doctor will look at the ears, nose, and throat to check for any blockage, swelling, and drainage. If allergies are suspected, your doctor will can have an allergy test performed to determine what allergens might be the cause of your sinusitis.
How Do I Know If My Headache Is Migraine Or Sinus Headache
So, how do you know if your headache is migraine and not sinus? Go beyond the nasal and sinus congestion and the facial pain and pressure look for a headache associated with the inability to function normally at work, school, home or social functions, nausea, sensitivity to light and triggers such as weather change, menstrual cycle, and stress . Significantly, it is commonly thought that weather change often causes sinus headache when weather change is a common trigger for migraine.
You can also ask yourself the following questions from the ID Migraine Questionnaire developed by Dr. Richard Lipton of Albert Einstein College of Medicine:
- In the past three months, how disabling are your headaches? Do they interfere with your ability to function?
- Do you ever feel nausea when you have a headache?
- Do you become sensitive to light while you have a headache?
If you answer yes to two of the above three criteria, migraine is likely 93% of the time. If you answer yes to all three, a migraine diagnosis is 98% likely.
The American Migraine Foundation is committed to improving the lives of those living with this debilitating disease. For more of the latest news and information on migraine, visit the AMF Resource Library. For help finding a healthcare provider, check out our Find a Doctor tool. Together, we are as relentless as migraine.
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Im Dizzy Who Should I Call
Dr. Berinstein and Dr. Bloom are Otolaryngologists. An Otolaryngologist is an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist who, among other things, has been trained in the diagnosis and treatment of balance disorders. Many times, dizziness can be caused by problems in the inner ear, an area which should be examined by an ENT specialist. To start, complete this Dizziness Questionnaire. If you end up making an appointment with one of our doctors, bring this worksheet with you. It will help him make a more effective treatment plan for you.