Making Proactive Changes To Your Sleeping Environment
Do you have a blocked nose at night only? If you do, making the following adjustments in your bedroom may help alleviate your congestion.
- Keep your pets out of your bedroom, especially if you are allergic to pet dander or dust.
- If the air in your house tends to be dry, purchase a humidifier. This suggestion is especially relevant during the winter months when the air is often drier.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine before bed. Both can make you dehydrated, which can aggravate your sinuses.
- On that same note, do what you can to stay hydrated. Hydration will help you feel better overall, but it can also work to alleviate some sinus pain.
How Long Does A Take For A Sinus Headache To Go Away
- Acute sinusitis typically lasts less than eight weeks or occurs no more than three times per year with each episode lasting no longer than 10 days. Medications are generally effective against acute sinusitis. Successful treatment counteracts damage done to the mucous lining of the sinuses and surrounding bone of the skull.
- Chronic or recurring sinusitis lasts longer than eight weeks or occurs more than four times per year, with symptoms usually lasting more than 20 days.
Causes Of Sinus Pressure Headaches
Sinus headaches and inflammation can have a number of causes, including:
- Common cold virus or other rhinoviruses
- Flu virus
- Allergies
- Changes in humidity
Each of these different causes has different treatments, so its important to understand what is causing your symptoms in order to find a successful treatment.
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Proven Techniques To Relieve Sinus Pressure In The Ear
Sinus infections or clogged sinuses can affect the ears. You can sometimes feel a mild pain in the ear canal, or you may just feel like your ears are constantly blocked. The sound may be muffled, and it can feel a little disruptive. It is all to do with the pressure within your sinuses and the way you ear, nose, and throat are all connected.
It is time to take some steps to relieve the pressure. The good news is you do not necessarily need medication. Unless this is a symptom of another medical issue, you can avoid pharmaceutical drugs often. There are plenty of proven, herbal and natural remedies available.
Heres a look at seven that you will want to try right away to get rid of your sinus pressure within the ear.
How To Relieve Sinus And Nasal Congestion
You can use your fingers to gently massage your sinuses to get nasal congestion relief. For example, place your index fingers on both sides of your nose where the nose and cheek meet , and apply moderate pressure for 2 to 3 minutes. You can also use your index fingers to apply pressure on the bridge of your nose, right between your eyebrows hold for 2 to 3 minutes. This sinus massage will bring comfort to your nasal passages.
Flushing out your sinuses with salt water can help clear out mucus and other irritants and reduce inflammation of the mucous membrane, resulting in better drainage. This can be done with a neti pot, syringe or various other products that can be found in drug stores. When using a nasal rinse, be sure to use sterile or previously boiled water, and rinse and dry the device thoroughly after each use.
Over-the-counter nasal decongestants reduce blood flow to the nasal membranes, which decreases swelling and congestion. They can help open up your nasal passages and decrease pressure in your sinuses. For fast relief, try Sinex⢠Severe All-in-One Sinus Liquicapsâthe non-drowsy formula contains a powerful pain reliever and phenylephrine, a safe and effective decongestant.
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How To Tell If You Have An Actual Sinus Infection
Even though we often say we have a sinus infection even if its just inflammation or an allergic response, there are symptoms of an actual infection that may be treatable with antibiotics. Nasal congestion and pain under the eyes or around the temples are, of course, main symptoms, but others include the loss of the sense of smell, green nasal discharge, mucus dripping down your throat, cough, fever, fatigue, sore throat, and even bad breath.
Sometimes, a sinus infection will clear up without intervention, but if you develop a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, have your symptoms for 10 or more days, notice that your symptoms are getting worse and are not improved by OTC medications, or you have multiple infections in a years time, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
What Should You Know About Vertigo
First, we should explain what vertigo is because there are many things that people believe that are simply not true. For example, many people associate vertigo with a fear of heights. However, while anxiety may trigger an episode of vertigo, this false sensation of movement is more than just fear. It involves the feeling the either you or the room around you is spinning, tilting, swaying, or moving in some other way that is not real.
This is where vertigo differs from motion sickness. When a person experiences motion sickness, he or she feels nausea due to motion that is actually occurring. You can get nausea and even vomit due to vertigo, but the movement is not actually happening. Something between the ear and the brain is causing your body to think that there is motion when there is none. Since you feel the movement or may even see it, the mind and body get confused. This can also result in dangerous falls.
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Pressure In Head And Eyes
Head pressure accompanied by eye pressure can be a sign of eye strain, allergies, or sinus infections. Migraines and other headaches can also cause eye-related symptoms.
Some causes of head pressure dont require medical treatment. Home remedies and lifestyle changes may help to improve your symptoms.
Tension headaches in particular have been linked to stress, poor sleep, and mental health conditions such as
- Treat sore muscles with ice or heat.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin, naproxen , and ibuprofen , can also help.
Acupressure And Acupuncture For Sinuses
Acupuncture is used to treat chronic sinus pressure and other symptoms.
Research from 2006 found that about 99 percent of acupuncturists in the United States treat sinus problems. Similarly, the Cleveland Clinic recommends using acupressure to relieve sinus pressure due to allergies.
While more research is needed on using acupressure to treat sinus symptoms, this practice may help improve blood flow, relax muscles, and help mucus drain from the sinuses.
You can do acupressure for sinus symptoms on yourself. It only takes a few minutes.
You can press on the acupressure points or gently rub or rotate your fingers in a circular motion over the area.
You can also get professional acupressure treatment from a certified acupuncturist. Some massage therapists may also use acupressure points.
Here are the main acupressure points for sinus relief and how to find them:
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What Is The Long
Sinus infections are primarily caused by allergies. The most common allergens are pollen, dust mites and pet dander. Those with repeated sinus infections may have chronic sinusitis, which means long-term solutions may be a better option.
Immunotherapy can help. These allergy shots enable your body to decrease sensitivity to common allergens. The Raleigh sinus doctors at Raleigh Medical Group specialize in helping patients with chronic allergy and sinus problems. While immunotherapy is effective, the treatment can take as long as one year to achieve noticeable results and maintenance treatment will likely be needed.
To find out if youre a candidate for immunotherapy, schedule an appointment with one of our internal medicine doctors. We welcome the opportunity to serve you.
Sinus Surgery And Balloon Sinuplasty
For these reasons, propping up your head while sleeping might not be enough you will likely also need to tackle the sinus infection itself. What is the fastest way to get rid of a sinus infection? Many sinus infections will go away with OTC medication and rest, but chronic sinus infections often demand further treatment.
If you have chronic sinus infections that disturb your sleep, you may need to meet with your doctor to discuss different types of sinus surgery. We especially encourage you to ask your doctor about balloon sinuplasty, a minimally-invasive, in-office procedure that takes less than 20 minutes and provides long-lasting sinus relief.
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Why Is Sinus Pressure In The Ears So Painful
When experiencing pain and pressure in the ears caused by sinus congestion, there are many questions that may cross your mind. How do I make it go away? The cause of the pain in your ears is usually due to sinus pressure. This is because sinus congestion and stuffiness can affect the pressure in your ears. The pressure in your sinuses affects more than just your nose. It can also cause pain in your ears, dizziness, and the feeling that your ears feel stuffed up or clogged. The good news is, there are several remedies to bring you relief.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic And Vertigo
Upper cervical specific chiropractic involves precise measurements and calculations so as to provide gentle adjustments of the C1 and C2. Once these misalignments are corrected, the surrounding soft tissue can stabilize. This may lead to the removal of the blockage affecting the eustachian tubes. Perhaps this is why so many people who are living with recurring vertigo see improvement after upper cervical chiropractic care.
If you are experiencing recurring bouts of vertigo, especially if you have a history of head or neck trauma, we encourage you to seek this natural alternative. It may be just what you need to get on the path to long-term healing.
to schedule a consultation today.
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What Causes Sinus Symptoms
If you find yourself frequently dealing with sinus pain and sinus pressure, finding the cause is an important step toward finding sinus relief. Any time the tissue in your nose and sinuses gets swollen and inflamed, it can lead to sinus problems. Here are a few sinus problem causes to consider:
- Temperature changes
Invest In A Humidifier
Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which may help reduce inflammation and open up your nasal passages. For a humidifier to be the most effective, Abi Hachem says it should be placed as close as possible to you in the same room so it can deliver the humidity into your nasal cavity.
It’s also important to keep your humidifier clean to prevent bacteria and fungi from building up in the tank and being released into the air, potentially causing lung problems. To clean your humidifier, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The EPA recommends that you empty the tank and dry all surfaces of the humidifier every day.
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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.
Use A Cold Pack On The Area
You can apply cold to the affected area for instant relief from the pressure. This can be a little tricky with the ears, but it will depend on where the pain originates from. Just because you feel the pressure in your ears, doesnt mean this is the first place it will be. You could find treating the sinus blockage or pressure around the nose area helps to relieve the pain in your ears.
Use a cold pack around your sinuses or your head. Sit with it on your skin for around 20 minutes. Dont put ice directly on your skin! Make sure it is covered with something to avoid freezer burns and discomfort.
If you do not have a cold pack or you do not like using ice, you can also use a cold washcloth. Have a bowl of cold water and dip the washcloth inside. Wring out the excess water and then apply it directly to wherever the pressure is.
Heat does not work as well as cold. The heat will draw out the moisture and make the symptoms worse. Only breathing in steam helps, as this helps to add moisture to the area.
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Gargle Some Salt Water
Salt water is more than a throat cleanser. It can also help to get rid of the pressure in your ears. There are a few reasons for this.
The first is that the salt can help to cleanse the sinus infection that is causing the pressure. Remember that your ears, nose, and throat are all connected. As you gargle, you help to get the salt particles through the body to fight against any infection that is around. The salt has antibacterial, antivirus, and antiseptic qualities.
At the same time, gargling helps to open up the sinuses. You will find that the pressure has more space to maneuver, a little like when yawning and swallowing. You can gargle with anything to gain this benefit, but salt water offers many others.
Opt for warm salt water where possible. The warmth will help with the relaxation of the muscles. It is also much more appreciated by the back of your throat! When you are relaxed, your body will find it easier to repair damage and remove theinfection.
You do not need a lot of salt, and you do not want to swallow it. Just a teaspoon in a glass of warm water is enough. Take a mouthful and gargle as far back to your throat as possible. When you are done, spit it out in the sink. Repeat four more times at least or finish off the whole glass if you would like. It really will depend on the amount of time you have.
Is It A Sinus Headache Or Migraine
If you have sinus pain with no congestion, you may actually have a migraine. If you are congested and have an extremely painful headache, you may have either a migraine OR a sinus headache.
Migraines are more common, but sinus headaches do occur and can be just as painful. Thats why were explaining how to get rid of sinus pain.
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Avoid Sinus Pain Triggers
“One of the most important things to avoid is over-the-counter nasal decongestant sprays. They may give some fast relief, but after a few days they make sinus pressure and nasal congestion much worse,” warns Das. Some other things you can do to prevent sinus pain include avoiding alcohol, which can aggravate sinus pain and congestion cleaning your humidifier to avoid fungal allergies washing your bedding in hot water to decrease allergy exposure and avoiding swimming, diving, or flying when you have sinusitis, a common cold, or nasal allergy.
Optional Sinus Massage Tips
For any of the sinus massages you try, if you dont feel like your sinuses are clear, feel free to repeat the massages every hour or so. Additionally, try out these optional tips for an even more soothing, relaxing, and effective sinus massage.
- Place your hands on a heated-up microwavable hot pack or rub your hands together to warm them up a bit before massaging.
- Lay down and place a microwavable hot pack on your forehead or under the back of your neck while you give yourself the sinus massages.
- Add a drop of your favorite essential oils to your fingertips before massaging. Alternatively, try rubbing a drop of your favorite essential oil just below your nose for a calming effect. Menthol-based oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and spearmint work wonders for opening up your sinuses as their smell is a natural nasal decongestant.
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Sphenoid And Ethmoid Sinus Massage
Your sphenoid sinuses are located behind your nose and right between your eyes, while the ethmoid sinuses are in the bone that divides your nasal cavity from your brain, so these two are quite close together. Heres how to properly massage both your sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses to open up your sinuses, breathe better, and reduce sinus headaches in a pinch:
- Take your index fingers and place them on the sides of your nose bridge.
- Feel around for the area right between the corners of your eyes and your nasal bone.
- Put slightly firm pressure on that spot with your index fingers for around 15 seconds.
- Next, make a slow downward stroke down the side of your nose bridge.
- Repeat steps three and four once or twice.
Irrigate To Relieve Sinus Pressure
“Salt water irrigation is the best way to cleanse the nose and sinuses this can help prevent or relieve sinus pain. You can use an over-the-counter saline nasal spray, but I recommend using a sinus rinse bottle, neti pot, or bulb syringe irrigation kit that you can get at the drugstore,” advises Das.
Try this commonly-used, easy-to-make nasal irrigation solution with your own sinus irrigation kit: Fill a clean 8-ounce glass with distilled or sterilized lukewarm water. Do not use tap water unless it has been boiled for at least 1 minute . Add 1/2 teaspoon of non-iodized salt and a pinch of baking soda. And be sure to clean all equipment and make a fresh batch of solution each time you use your kit.
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