How To Relieve Sinus Pressure Without Nasal Decongestants
Everyone goes through bouts of increased sinus pressure from time to time, some more than the others. Your paranasal sinus system essentially comprises four pairs of sinuses located in different areas of the face, namely:
- Frontal sinuses in the forehead
- Ethmoid sinuses between the nose and eyes
- Maxillary sinuses below the cheeks, above the teeth, and on the sides of the nose
- Sphenoid sinuses on either side of the nasal cavity, behind your eyes, and along the back of your head
These sinuses are lined with mucous membranes and minute, finger-like outgrowths called cilia, which serve as the first line of defense against airborne irritants. The membrane, which is made up of soft, pink tissue, secretes mucus, which helps filter the air we breathe by trapping dust and other respiratory allergens. Most of the sinuses empty into the nose through a small drainage channel called the middle meatus. The cilia help move the mucus along with the trapped particles into the nose and out of the sinuses for good.
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What Is The Fastest Way To Get Rid Of Sinusitis
When you have a sinus infection, you often have to go through your day in pain and in a fog. Sinusitis, or infection of the sinuses, is incredibly common, but many people suffer through it rather than get it treated. At Asthma Allergy Centre in Tigard, McMinnville, or Beaver, OR, we use a variety of sinus management treatments to reduce the inflammation and immune response that are likely behind your sinus problems. Check out on how to get rid of sinusitis.
Bonus Tip For Alleviating Sinus Pressure In The Ears:
Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke, air travel,
Trying one or a combination of these remedies for sinus pressure in the ear should help bring you some relief. These simple sinus remedies can help alleviate the pain and pressure you experience in your ears. Just be aware that this could develop into a sinus infection.
If there is a persistent problem with sinus pressure in your ears, call to make an appointment today with the ear nose, and throat doctor.
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Over The Counter Medications
For help alleviating sinus pressure and pain, try ibuprofen and a decongestant. Some medications include a combination of pain reliever and decongestant.
Mild antihistamines like Claritin and Allegra are helpful in moderation. Strong antihistamines like Benadryl are often way too drying. Be careful not to take antihistamines too often.
Even though you want your nose to stop running, too many antihistamines can make it more likely that youll get sinus infections in the future.
Drugs like Mucinex and Flonase can also be helpful in thinning the mucus in your nose and sinuses.
If you use Afrin, make sure you stop after three days. Though it can seem like a miracle drug, using it more than three days in a row can lead to something called rebound congestion. In other words, when you stop using the Afrin after continuous use, your nose becomes more congested than it was in the first place!
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Symptoms Of Sinus Pressure
- As the mucus piles up in the sinus cavity and the inflammation continues, the mounting sinus pressure can be felt around the nose and cheeks and above the eyes.
- Moreover, these areas of the face may feel painful or tender.
- You may even experience pain over your teeth.
- The throbbing pain associated with sinus pressure tends to be at its worst during the morning.
- The pain gets aggravated when you look down or bend over.
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What Happens If You Let A Sinus Infection Go Untreated
A sinus infection that is left untreated can not only make life miserable it may develop into chronic sinusitis. If an infection isnt cared for properly, it could also result in some potentially serious complications. These types of issues are rare but they can occur:
If left untreated, sinus infections could potentially spread to the eyes, causing redness, irritation, and/or swelling. In severe cases, sufferers may experience reduced, blurry, or a complete loss of vision.
- Severe sinusitis may need to be treated with antibiotics administered through an IV.
- A CT scan may be required to determine the seriousness of the infection.
- In very rare cases, brain abscesses or meningitis may result from a severe and untreated sinus infection.
When Should I See An Ent For Sinus Pain And Pressure
A good rule of thumb is to talk to your doctor if sinus pain and pressure is affecting your daily life. Other things to look out for include:
- It makes it difficult to sleep
- Youve had a stuffy or runny nose for over a week
- Your sinus headaches more frequently
- Over-the-counter treatments dont work
- You injured your nose
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When Will You Need To Go To The Hospital Or Clinic
Whenever you have some following characteristics, you should see a doctor:
- Excessive swelling of the facial and nasal tissues
- Eye socket inflammation: Sinus patient may see some following characteristics in their eyes
- Eyelids swell and fall down
- Lost ability to open or close eyes
- Fainting
By reading this article, you can see an overview of sinusitis. Now, lets look at ways to eliminate this frustrating condition. You can have a look at 16 home remedies for sinus pressure relief in eyes, cheeks, and ears introduced inTrueRemedies.com here!
There is no science-based evidence for the following homemade recipes. The recipes weve focused on are traditional home remedies, so always consult your doctor and check out your health condition regularly.
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How You Can Reduce Sinus Pressure During Airline Flights
There are a number of things you can do to relieve the pressure you experience during an airline flight. While these tips may not be 100% effective, in most cases they will at least reduce the level of pressure you feel, and they will make the ascents and descents of the airplane more tolerable.
One of the best things you can do to alleviate changing air pressure as you fly is to take an allergy medicine before traveling. You may already have a prescription for an allergy medication from your doctor, or you may need to simply purchase one over-the-counter, but in any case, these can effectively reduce any pressure sensations you feel during the flight.
If you dont suffer from allergies and youve never used allergy medications, an oral decongestant can be just as effective in many cases, and this is something you should also do before the flight. As youre waiting in the airline terminal, prior to the time your plane begins boarding, just pop in an oral decongestant with a glass of water, and you just might get through the whole flight without any discomfort.
If your flight is a long one, you may need to supplement the original ingestion of either allergy medication or oral decongestant by taking a second capsule with a beverage at some point before the descent begins.
A little social discomfort might be far more preferable to the physical discomfort you would feel if you dont do anything at all.
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How To Do A Nasal Rinse
Nasal saline rinses are a good way to treat discomfort and congestion. They can help flush out mucus, debris, and irritants, and soothe nasal passages.
A neti pot can be used to do this. You fill a pot with a saline rinse that you can buy.
- Place the spout of the pot against one nostril.
- Tilt your head to the side.
- The saline will pour out of the lower nostrilthanks to gravity.
- Repeat steps with the other nostril.
On Either Side Of The Nostrils
Use your fingers to apply gentle pressure to both sides of your nostrils. Your fingers should be at right angles to these points. Keep pressing for a minute to allow the sinuses to drain out this can help prevent inflammation and bring some sinus pressure relief. This pressure point is also good for pain behind the cheeks and helps prevent respiratory illnesses.
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Spicy Food For Sinus Infection
Harvard Medical School explains that your sinuses are cavities located in the bones around your face. These cavities are lined with a thin membrane that produces mucus, the thick, yellowish fluid that filters out bacteria and other particles from the air you breathe.
This mucus is usually swept along by hair cells and drained into your nasal cavity. However, this drainage system can sometimes get swollen and blocked because of inflammation caused by allergies or an infection, like a cold, cough or sore throat.
The blockage doesnt stop your sinuses from producing mucus, and so the extra fluid starts filling up your sinus cavities. Harvard Medical School notes that blocked sinuses can cause symptoms like headaches, facial pressure or pain and a blocked nose.
So, whats the connection between spicy food and sinus infections? UCLA Health explains that eating spicy food can help clear your sinuses because capsaicin, the pungent, active compound in chili peppers, can help thin out the mucus and stimulate your sinuses, resulting in better air circulation and drainage.
While capsaicin is found in chili peppers like bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, cayenne peppers and other chilis belonging to the Capsicum family, UCLA Health notes that other spicy food to clear sinuses as well.
How Do I Get Rid Of A Sinus Headache
To get rid of a sinus headache, you have to treat the underlying cause. But you can take steps to ease sinus pressure and pain at home:
- Apply a warm compress to painful areas of the face.
- Use a decongestant to reduce sinus swelling and allow mucus to drain.
- Try a saline nasal spray or drops to thin mucus.
- Use a vaporizer or inhale steam from a pan of boiled water. Warm, moist air may help relieve sinus congestion.
Sinus infection
Viruses, bacteria and sometimes fungi cause sinus infections. Viral infections often go away on their own. But if your infection is bacterial or fungal, you need antibiotics or antifungal medications. Your healthcare provider may also recommend other medications to ease discomfort, such as:
- Antihistamines to prevent allergy symptoms.
- Pain relievers to ease headache pain.
- Steroids to reduce inflammation.
Migraines with sinus symptoms
Sinus headaches that are actually migraines need a different type of treatment. The first step is to relieve your pain. You should know that frequently using over-the-counter medications when you have a headache can cause even more headaches .
Your provider may recommend prescription medication for migraine pain. You may also need a preventive medication that helps you have fewer migraine attacks.
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Sinus Headache Or Migraine
About 80% of “sinus headaches” are actually migraines with nasal symptoms. If you get frequent headaches, consult your healthcare provider or a headache specialist, since there are medications and prevention strategies specifically for migraines.
If you have intense sinus pain and pressure that gets worse when you are diving, flying in an airplane, driving up a steep mountain, or participating in other activities that involve steep altitude changes, it could be a condition called sinus barotrauma.
Although the pain will usually subside when these activities are discontinued, sinus barotrauma is a sign of an underlying sinus problem that needs to be evaluated by an otolaryngologist, a healthcare provider that specializes in conditions of the ear, nose, and throat.
Sinus barotrauma can also be accompanied by ear barotrauma, which can cause a ruptured eardrum.
What Causes A Sinus Infection
A sinus infection is frequently caused by a virus and often lasts long after the other upset respiratory symptoms are gone. Besides, it is quite rare that fungus or bacteria may also start a sinus infection. There are some other causes leading to this annoying kind of medical condition such as allergies, nasal polyps, a tooth infection and a deviated septum. In short, any condition that blocks off the drainage channels of your sinuses can cause a sinus infection.
Basically, the most common reason for a terrible sinusitis is a cold or flu virus which then results in the spreading to the sinuses from the upper airways. In almost all cases, a sinus infection is often accompanied by inflammation and congestion of the sinuses, which requires you to know exactly whats really causing the underlying problem to figure out the best treatment and self-care. Making sure such underlying conditions such as allergies and asthma are well controlled might improve the symptoms of a sinusitis.
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What Can An Ent Do To Reduce Or Prevent Sinus Pain
There are multiple ways to relieve sinus pain including, pain-free balloon sinuplasty. Balloon sinuplasty is an endoscopic nasal surgery that uses small balloon catheters to drain the large nasal sinuses. This is an almost immediate way to relieve pressure and can dramatically improve the quality of life for those with a deviated septum.
Request an appointment to see if balloon sinuplasty is the right treatment option for you.
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How To Tell If These Remedies Are Not Working
You will know if these remedies are effective because you will begin to feel better and your sinuses will be less congested.
However, unlike with antibiotics where symptoms start to diminish quickly, natural remedies typically take longer to work. So you should continue to do these remedies regularly for at least a week or two before determining if they are working.
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When To See A Doctor For Sinus Pain
If your sinus symptoms are not getting better with at-home treatments, and if your sinus symptoms last longer than seven to 10 days, you should see a doctor for treatment. Allina Health has many convenient care options for care, from online visits to walk-in care, to help you get better fast.
If you have frequent or reoccurring sinus infections, you may want to see an ear, nose and throat for your treatment options.
A Brief Explanation Of The Sinuses And Sinus Congestion
In order to understand how to clear the sinuses, it is necessary to have a grasp of what exactly the sinuses are, and what is happening when they become congested.
The sinuses are a series of small air cavities in the skull, located within the cheek bones, behind the nose and in the forehead. They are connected to the throat and nasal passages and represent the uppermost components of the respiratory tract.
Sometimes, these cavities can become inflamed and filled with mucus and cause sinus congestion. There are many different things which can cause this to happen, and the medicinal treatments will vary depending on the specific cause. Some of the most common diseases and environmental factors which can cause sinus congestion include:
- The common cold
- Sinusitis
- Allergens and dust particles
Regardless of what is causing it, the symptoms of sinus congestion will usually be the same: uncomfortable pressure in the sinus cavities, headaches, and difficulty breathing linked to the inflammation and mucus buildup.
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Sinus Infection Vs Covid
Some sinus infection and COVID-19 symptoms may overlap. Both illnesses can cause a fever, headaches, nasal congestion, fatigue or a sore throat. Symptoms unique to COVID-19 include body aches, nausea, shortness of breath and vomiting. Learn the difference between the cold, flu and COVID-19 based on your symptoms.
Cleaning Inside Your Nose
You can clean the inside of your nose using either a home-made salt water solution or a solution made with sachets of ingredients bought from a pharmacy.
To make the solution at home, mix a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into a pint of boiled water that has been left to cool. To rinse your nose:
- wash and dry your hands
- stand over a sink, cup the palm of one hand and pour a small amount of the solution into it
- sniff the water into one nostril at a time
Repeat these steps until your nose feels more comfortable . You should make a fresh solution each day. Dont re-use a solution made the day before.
Special devices you can use instead of your hand are also available for pharmacies. If you choose to use one of these, make sure you follow the manufacturers instructions about using and cleaning it.
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Other Remedies For Symptom Relief
Staying hydrated can help thin mucus to ease congestion.
Drinking hot liquids such as tea and broth may help relieve your symptoms. Breathing in moist air may also help relieve the discomfort that comes with nasal congestion. Try breathing in steam from the shower, a bowl of hot water, or a mug of tea.
If your voice is hoarse, rest it by avoiding yelling, whispering, and singing.
Placing a warm compress over the inflamed area can help reduce pressure and provide relief.
damages the natural protective elements of your nose, mouth, throat, and respiratory system.
If you smoke, consider quitting. Ask a doctor if you need help or are interested in quitting. Quitting may help prevent future episodes of both acute and chronic sinusitis.
Wash your hands frequently, especially during cold and flu seasons, to keep your sinuses from becoming irritated or infected by viruses or bacteria on your hands.
Using a humidifier during the cooler, dryer months may also help prevent sinus infections.
Talk with a doctor to see if allergies are causing your sinusitis. If youre allergic to something that causes persistent sinus symptoms, you will likely need to treat your allergies to relieve your sinus infection.
You may need to seek an allergy specialist to determine the cause of the allergy. The specialist may suggest:
- avoiding the allergen
Keeping your allergies under control can help prevent repeated episodes of sinusitis.