How Do Doctors Diagnose Sinus Headaches
A doctor will examine you and ask about your symptoms to determine whether the headache is from sinusitis, or something more common like a migraine or regular headache. If the headaches are frequent and severe, they may complete a test such as an MRI, X-ray, CT scan, or nasal endoscopy to identify sinus blockages, which can help them to recommend the right treatment for you.
How To Get Relief From Sinusitis
If youve ever struggled to find relief from a sinus infection, youre not alone. Its a condition that impacts over 30 million Americans a year. In the US alone, sinusitis accounts for roughly 70 million days of decreased activity each year.
And, it seems that everyone is looking for a quick fix so they can get on with their daily activities. That being saidâ¦
How To Get Rid Of A Sinus Infection In 24 Hours Or Fast
Days of dry weather are coming. The chances to get a sinus infection increases in dry weather. Even a simple cold can turn into a sinus infection. Once you get it, the symptoms will make the days miserable, especially if you have to attend the office. You feel like an outcast among the colleagues if the nose keeps running and sneezing. In this situation, the thing that you want to know the most is how to get rid of a sinus infection fast? But its not always easy to do that.
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Tips To Help You Get Relief From Your Head Cold
Oh, your aching head! If youâre suffering from unbearable nasal congestion and headache, you probably have a head cold. The reason youâre so stuffed up? When you have a head cold, the membranes lining your nasal passages become swollen and produce excess mucus to flush out whatever is causing the irritation, whether itâs a virus or an allergen. You might experience pain in your forehead, under your eyes or in your upper teeth.
The key to getting rid of a head cold is to reduce sinus swelling and help mucus drain from your sinuses. Although it might seem counterintuitive, keeping your nasal passages moist is the best way to clear out congestionâdry sinuses will only result in further irritation.
Try these simple tips to clear up a head cold and help relieve headache and sinus pressure.
Since breathing in dry air will dry out your sinuses, itâs best to add moisture back into your environment by using a cool-mist humidifier or steam vaporizer. You can also try breathing in steam from a hot shower. Doing so can help soothe the irritated membranes lining your nasal passages.
A great way to ease a headache and sinus pressure is to place a warm compress on your forehead and nose. If you donât have a compress, try moistening a washcloth with warm water and applying it to your face several times a day. This will help relieve nasal congestion and relieve your head cold symptoms.
How To Clear Your Sinuses And Ears
This article was medically reviewed by Monica Kieu, DO, FACS. Dr. Monica Kieu is a board certified Otolaryngologist and Specialist in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Kieu received a BS in Anthropology from the University of California, Riverside and earned her medical degree , with honors, from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. She then completed her residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Michigan State University/Detroit Medical Center, where she served as chief resident. Dr. Kieu also completed a prestigious fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto. She is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Osteopathic Colleges of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Rhinologic Society. Dr. Kieu was recently named one of LAs Top Docs by Los Angeles Magazine.There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 47,737 times.
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Middle And External Ear Infections
A middle ear infection can cause ear congestion, as well as dizziness, ear pain, and occasionally fluid drainage. Theyre usually caused by colds or other respiratory problems that travel to the middle ear through the Eustachian tube.
External ear infections, also known as swimmers ear, are usually caused by water that remains in your ear after swimming or bathing, providing an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. You may experience pain, itching, redness, and clear fluid drainage or a discharge of pus.
Ear infections often resolve without treatment. Over-the-counter ear drops and pain medication can help relieve your symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or last more than two days, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Spice Up Your Diet To Ease Sinus Pressure
Many people find that spicy food like peppers or hot mustard opens up their nasal passages and gives them some relief from sinus pain. There is good evidence that capsaicin, which is the active ingredient found in chile peppers, is effective in relieving some types of pain, says Das. Capsaicin preparations have been investigated for the treatment of some facial pain syndromes and of rhinitis with promising results. But if you have the taste for them, you can try spicy foods to help with sinus discomfort.
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Use Pillows To Encourage The Drainage From The Ears
Sometimes there will be some blockage in the ears. You can get the fluid that builds up, due to it having nowhere to go or a previous infection. You will want to get it out of the ears as soon as possible.
Rather than using a saline cleanser , you will want to encourage the draining of the liquid as soon as possible. The best way to do that is by focusing on the way you sleep and sit throughout the day.
Arrange the pillows in your bed to help prop your body slightly. This will help to keep your head up and avoid the pressure going further into your ears and head theres nothing worse than trying to sleep when dealing with pressure around your sinuses! The pillows will also help to encourage the right positioning for the draining of the fluid. Keep your blocked ear closest to the bed for the best results.
Even if the fluid does not drain out, sleeping like this will help you get a good nights sleep. This will encourage your immune system to work better, so you get rid of the sinus issues and pressure quicker.
You may also find that the pressure is due to thetrapped fluid within your ear canal . Tilt your head to one side and jump up and down. Gravity can help to dislodge the water. You will feel it trickle out of your ear!
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Differentiate Between Sinus Headache And Migraine Headache
Many people who assume they are having sinus pain due to sinus pressure are actually having a migraine headache. Migraine pain can involve the same nerves as the sinus cavities and is frequently accompanied by nasal congestion, nausea, and aggravation by bright light. If sinus pain is caused by a migraine, the best natural treatment is lying down in a dark, quiet room, advises Das.
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When Should I See A Doctor
Whether you have sinusitis or not, you should consider seeing a doctor if experience the following:
- Your headache lasts for longer than two weeks
- The intensity of your headache is getting worse
- You are getting more frequent headaches
- The headaches are affecting your life
- You have a fever that has lasted for longer than three days
- Non-prescription painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen arent working
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What Are Sinus Headaches
Sinus headaches and migraines are easy to confuse because their signs and symptoms may overlap.
Sinus infections tend to display certain telltale signs, usually occurring after a viral upper respiratory infection or cold and starting with thick discoloured mucus and sometimes even a fever. Lying down may worsen sinus headaches. This is because there is increased blood flow in the blood vessels of your sinuses due to blood pressure changes when lying down, which causes sinus congestion, pressure and pain. In addition, gravity is no longer helping your sinuses drain and mucus may pool in the back of your throat, irritating the tissue and causing a worse sinus infection
If youve got a chronic sinus infection, you may find this to be a recurring problem that causes discomfort over several months. But if youre lucky, you may not experience any symptoms or have a headache.
Common symptoms of a sinus headache include:
- Pain, pressure and fullness in your cheeks, brow or forehead
- Pain getting worse when you lean forward or lie down
- Fever
- Discoloured nasal discharge
- Nasal congestion or stuffy nose
- Foul-smelling breath
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How To Fix Sinus Headaches
Posted on July 13, 2022 by Site Admin – News & Updates
Sinus headaches can be extremely painful, but they are often misdiagnosed for migraines or regular headaches, which have different treatment options. In this article, we explore exactly what a sinus headache is, what causes them, and provide some of the best treatment options so that you can get some relief from your pain.
Chronic Sinusitis And Sinus Headaches
Sinusitis happens when the sinuses or cavities around the nasal passages become swollen. The sinuses can become inflamed if you have an infection or because of an allergic reaction. The symptoms usually go away within a couple of weeks, but some people experience longer or recurring sinus infections. If you have chronic sinusitis, you could be dealing with symptoms such as nasal discharge, congestion, and pain or sinus headaches for many months.
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Relax With Meditation Or Yoga
How To Prevent Sinusitis
- Drink a lot, whether it is water or juice. More than two liters a day, especially if the symptoms continue.
- Avoid dust or smoke pollutionbecause this further irritates the nasal cavity.
- I prefer humid places, and To wet the room, you can place water or use special equipment.
- Wet your nose with compresses of hot water. Showers are also recommended because the steam helps release the nasal sinuses.
- Do not use too many inhalers because, in the long run, they will be counterproductive.
- Clean your nose well. You can find some products containing water and salt in the pharmacy.
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Stay Away From Dairy Products
Some doctors hold the opinion that taking lots of dairy products when suffering from sinus drainage makes it worse by encouraging excessive mucus production.
Should you stop using dairy products and realize that the problem has completely cleared, chances are that you are allergic to dairy products. Talk to your health care provider about it.
You Could Have An Inner Ear Disorder
is believed to be caused by a fluid imbalance in your inner ear. While it is a chronic condition, dietary changes , medications, hearing aids, and other therapies can help you manage your symptoms.
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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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Where Are The Sinuses
The sinuses are hollow spaces or cavities in the bones around the nose. Your sinuses make mucus or fluid. The mucus drains into your nasal cavity and down the back of your throat. This keeps your nose moist and gets rid of dust, allergens, and germs.
There are four pairs of sinuses connected to your nose:
- in the cheekbones on each side of your nose
- above your eyes near the forehead
- between the eyes and the bridge of your nose
- behind your eyes
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Get Your Antibiotics Fast
No one likes being sick, and having a sinus infection can be very uncomfortable. Getting antibiotics as fast as possible is crucial to healing, and is made possible with PlushCare. Our online doctors can diagnose your sinus infection, write a prescription, and send it to your local pharmacy in 15 minutes. PlushCare can help you effectively, quickly, and easily treat your sinus infection.
How To Prevent Sinus Headaches
Because sinus headaches are caused by inflammation and infection of the sinuses, theres a number of preventative actions you can take you avoid getting them:
- Try to avoid colds and flus by washing your hands regularly, and steering clear of people who are sick.
- If you have allergies like hay fever, you can try vacuuming your house regularly, keeping your windows and doors closed when pollen counts are high, and buying a pollen filter for your cars air vents.
- Quit smoking, or avoid secondhand smoke.
- If you notice that your headaches are triggered by alcohol or caffeine, try to avoid them.
- Keep the air conditioner offit dehumidifies the air which can irritate your nasal passages. Try using a fan instead.
- Regularly use a saline nasal spray, or try a nasal flush/rinse kit like Fess. This helps to flush out any bacteria and viruses that cause infections.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your nasal passages nice and hydrated. The moister they are, the less chance you have of getting an infection.
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How Do You Stop Sinus Pain
Sinus pain is the one of the most common symptoms of sinusitis. It can make life miserable, especially when youre faced with multiple symptoms or when the symptoms occur throughout the year. Sinus pain is usually due to tenderness in the sinus, swelling, inflammation, and nasal congestion. To stop sinus pain you may visit your doctor who can prescribe something to treat sinus pain. You can also do some home remedies like inhaling steam, applying ice pack to the affected area , and/or drinking hot tea..
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These Five Tips Will Help Get Rid Of Water In Your Ears:
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What Causes Postnasal Drip
- Certain medications, including some for birth control and blood pressure
- Deviated septum, which is the crooked placement of the wall that separates the two nostrils, or some other problem with the structure of the nose that affects the sinuses
- Changing weather, cold temperatures, or really dry air
- Certain foods
- Fumes from chemicals, perfumes, cleaning products, smoke, or other irritants
Sometimes the problem is not that youâre producing too much mucus, but that itâs not being cleared away. Swallowing problems can cause a buildup of liquids in the throat, which can feel like postnasal drip. These problems can sometimes occur with age, a blockage, or conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD.