What Causes Sinus Pressure
Pressure in your sinuses is essentially swelling in response to any of three different causes: a pressure change between the air inside your sinuses and the air outside your sinuses , when irritants invade your sinuses , or when you have an anatomical issue .
Unfortunately, you can’t cater your sinus pressure treatment to the exact cause, but the good news is that most available remedies can work to reduce sinus inflammation and swelling regardless of what’s causing it.
Here’s a guide, according to experts, on the best ways to treat sinus pressure so you can start feeling better as soon as possible.
Apply A Warm Compress
Applying a warm towel over your forehead and nose can help to reduce swelling and inflammation in your sinus passages. Its also a simple home remedy that you can use before you go to bed.
Heat from the warm towel helps to open up your nasal passages to reduce swelling and hence open up your nasal passageway. This will also help to loosen mucus secretion and aid in mucus flow.
Here are some simple steps on how you can apply a warm compress to provide sinus headache relief:
- Fill up a bowl with water thats warmer than body temperature. Ensure that its not scalding
- Soak the towel in the water and wring out excess water
- Fold the towel into a square and apply it over your forehead and nose
- Hold the towel in position and place it in contact with your skin for up to 20 minutes each time
Alternatively, you can make a warm compress through the following method:
- Soak two towels in water and squeeze out excess water
- Put one towel in a ziplock bag and leave the bag open
- Microwave the bag for 2 minutes
- Remove the bag from the microwave and seal it. Be careful as the bag will be hot to touch
- Wrap the other towel around the bag.
- Apply the heating pad to your forehead for about 20 minutes
Can A Sinus Headache Be Prevented
- Good handwashing and hygienic practices can help prevent colds and upper respiratory infections.
- Smoking cessation can also decrease your risk of airway infections.
- For people with allergies, avoid allergic triggers to help prevent sinus infections.
- Keep the body well hydrated and humidify the air since these can help promote efficient drainage of fluids from the sinuses.
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Use A Saline Nasal Spray
Saline nasal sprays work very much like the salt irrigation method weve just looked at, and you can easily buy them at a pharmacist or health and wellness stores.
One big advantage nasal sprays have over the salt irrigation method is that a nasal spray is more compact and easy to carry around as they come simply as a squirt or pump bottle. Additionally, you wont need to go through the hassle of mixing your own saline solution. These nasal sprays also tend to also have a longer shelf life than saline solutions.
Heres a step-by-step breakdown of how to use a saline nasal spray:
- Put yourself in an upright position
- Gently blow your nose to clear mucus
- Close one of your nostrils and place the spray bottle under the nostril to which you are applying to
- Make sure you aim away from the septum so as not to damage it
- Inhale slightly through the nostril while you gently squeeze the spray applicator
One downside to saline nasal sprays is that they can be costly in the long run if you use them on a regular basis.
Furthermore, while saline nasal sprays can help ease symptoms, they do not address the root cause of your sinus issues. So if youre experiencing sinus problems because of allergies, you should look into removing or avoiding any allergens youre exposed to.
What To Do When Home Remedies Arent Working
When you have a sinus headache, trying some treatments at home should be your first step. However, if youve tried a few things and nothing is helping, seeing a doctor can help you to get the right treatment and perhaps identify an underlying cause. You should also see a doctor if you have a fever, if there is pain or swelling of your face or eyes, redness around your eyes, cheeks, a severe headache, stiff neck or confusion.
After other treatments have been exhausted and your sinus problems are recurring, surgery might be suggested as an option for sinus headaches and blocked sinuses. This is something that you might discuss with your ENT to determine whether its the right choice for you and how it can help, as well as some of the risks that surgery can have. Before discussing surgery, its important to try other remedies to find out if any of them work.
If sinus headaches are a regular problem for you, Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates can help. Contact us today at Sylva 828-586-7474, Franklin 828-524-5599, Murphy 828-835-1014 or New Asheville 828-458-8100 to schedule an appointment or learn more.
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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.
Good Nights Sleep Is All You Need To Relieve Sinus Pressure And Pain Naturally
Sometimes, a good nightâs sleep is all the body needs to heal itself and get rid of sinusitis and sinus pressure. Sleep causes your brain to release hormones that boost tissue growth and while at rest, your body is also able to manufacture white blood cells that are necessary for attaching bacteria and viruses. Avoid indulging in activities that will get you all fired up before bed and also avoid consuming stimulants just before bedtime, for example, caffeinated beverages. Once your body gets proper rest, you will notice a reduction in sinus pressure and it will speed up your recovery time as well. You can also take some natural sleeping aids if it helps you sleep better.
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What Sorts Of Toxins And Pathogens Cause Headaches
The many toxins that were exposed to on a regular basis can have a real effect on our health. So can the pathogens that live inside us. These various poisons can cause a range of symptoms and health issues, of which headaches are just one.
Heres a look at some of the toxins and pathogens that could be causing your headaches.
Is It A Sinus Headache Or Migraine
When your head hurts, it can be difficult to think about why it is happening. All you know is that you want it to stop. However, knowing the source of the pain goes a long way in identifying an effective treatment.
According to the American Migraine Foundation, people who self-diagnose sinus headaches are wrong a whopping 90 percent of the time. You thought the tell-tale pressure in your forehead and sinuses were clear signs of a sinus headache. Yeah, no. Migraine is associated with all those same symptoms. Even a runny nose can be caused by a migraine and not your sinuses.
So how can you tell if it actually might be a migraine? Look for other migraine related symptoms. For example, are you experiencing nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and/or throbbing pain that is isolated on one side of the head? When those are part of the equation, then you are dealing with a migraine.
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Sinus Pain Home Remedies
There are a variety of home remedies that can help with the congestion to relieve sinus pain and pressure. Home remedies that you can try include:
- Drinking water: Staying hydrated can help to thin nasal secretions. Drinking plenty of fluids is also important in your recovery from viral illnesses.
- Neti pot: A neti pot is used to irrigate the nasal passageways and can help to control congestion and nasal secretions.
- Saline nasal sprays:Saline nasal sprays are sold over-the-counter at most drug stores. They are used to loosen nasal secretions and thereby decrease congestion by allowing it to drain. They can be used many times per day.
- Cool mist humidifier: The humidity loosens nasal secretions and the cold air can help to decrease inflammation. If you do not have access to a cool-mist humidifier, several hot, steamy showers per day can also help to loosen nasal secretions.
- Warm compress: Use a warm rag or heating pad over your sinuses to ease the pain. Do this several times per day.
Sinusitis And Sinus Infections
The human body has four main sinus cavities that are located in the areas surrounding the nose and eyes. These cavities play a critical role in breathing by controlling humidity and keeping foreign substances out of the body. The lining of these cavities can become inflamed as a result of a virus or bacteria that enters the body, this inflammation is known as sinusitis .
Inflammation prevents the body from naturally draining mucus from the sinus cavities which may lead to further infection and additional symptoms. Sinusitis sufferers often seek relief from these symptoms using over-the-counter medications or prescription antibiotics. Patients may find temporary symptom relief through pharmaceuticals however, these medications often carry a number of undesirable side effects including:
- Drowsiness or insomnia
- Individual complications
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Five Ways To Relieve Sinus Pressure
The pain, facial pressure and congestion of sinus infections affect more than 26.9 million Americans roughly 11 percent of adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Most sinus infections, also called sinusitis, do not need to be treated with antibiotics, and will usually go away within 7-10 days.
One of the most annoying symptoms is the sinus pressure around the eyes, head and cheeks. Fortunately, there are several home remedies and medications that can help provide relief.
Natural Sinus Headache Remedies
Some people prefer to go the natural route when treating a sinus headache. Most herbal solutions for nasal pain and congestion work by helping to prevent an infection . So the goal should be five lifestyle changes that can help keep an infection from developing and prevent what feels like your next sinus headache.
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Migraines: What Are They And How Do They Differ From Other Headaches
Although migraines are usually extremely intense and debilitating headaches, they are more than that. Migraines are a severe headache, plus. They are a type of neurological disease in which chemicals, nerves, and the brain itself play a role. Yet not everyone will experience extreme pain. Migraines vary in both how much they hurt and how long they last.
Causes & Risk Factors
Any health situation that blocks off the vital drainage channels of your sinuses can cause a sinus infection including:
- Respiratory infections like the common cold
- Hay fever or exposure to allergens such as cigarette smoke, dry air and pollutants
- Obstructions in the nasal or sinus cavities including nasal polyps, deviated septum, or nasal bone spur
- Non-allergic rhinitis
- Infections resulting from dental problems
- Physical injury to the sinuses
- Bacteria, viruses, and fungi
The five most common bacteria that can cause sinus infections are: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes.
Risk factors for sinus infections include:
- Being in the hospital, especially if the reason you are in the hospital is related to a head injury or you needed a tube inserted into your nose
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Experiencing Regular Sinus Headaches Contact National Headache Institute Today
The occasional sinus headache happens to everyone, but if you are having sinus pressure headaches regularly, its best to see a headache specialist, like those at National Headache Institute. Get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation in office or via telemedicine with one of our expert physicians. We have several locations to serve you and a variety of treatment options available all of which have the power to stop your sinus pressure headaches indefinitely.
Best 17 Tips On How To Get Rid Of A Sinus Headache
How to get rid of a sinus headache naturally?It is a matter of concern, and this is not surprising considering that 5% of Americans have a headache at any given point of time. They are best classified as secondary headaches, and this could be attributed to the fact that there is invariably an underlying cause which is responsible for these headaches.
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Solutions For Dry Air
Dry air can irritate your sinuses, so ensuring it isn’t too dry can be helpful. You can use a humidifier or vaporizer to increase the humidity in your home. Other ways to benefit from using water include soaking a towel in warm water and holding it over your face for a few minutes. You can also use a saline solution nasal spray for the same purpose.
Top 17 Natural Home Remedies For Sinus Headache Relief
Sinus headache is one kind of headache which is accompanied with sinusitis. But you should know what are the symptoms of sinus headache as well as the reasons why sinus headache is caused. On the first hand, sinus headache can cause pressure and pain around the sinuses for example, in the forehead, above the nose, behind and between eyes. And this area can be tender to the touch. On the other hand, if you have headache pain only, you may not have sinus headache. So how can you know whether you have sinus headache or not? The answer is that with headache pain, there are some symptoms as well which include fatigue, cough, stuffy nose, sore throat, and nasal discharge. And the factors which cause this disease are swelling in the nasal passage, nasal bone spur, sinus congestion and inflammation. Therefore, in order to escape from this pain, you often go to the doctor and have a check. Then what you need to do is take some medicines every day until your sinus headache is gone. However, its not essential enough. Now, why dont you try some natural remedies to cure sinus headache? If you wonder to know what the natural treatments are for this case, please continue reading this article on our page AllRemedies.comwhich will present to you the best natural home remedies for sinus headache relief that you can follow to get rid of it easily and fast.
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What Are The Complications Of Sinus Headache
In rare cases, complications around the eye area can happen, resulting in the area being swollen and inflamed. This may even affect your vision.
If you have a high fever that persists, discolored nasal discharge, rattling in your chest, or difficulty breathing, see your doctor about these symptoms. While a sinus headache might seem like a harmless health condition, its important to determine its cause.
Third Eye Pressure Point
The third eye point can be found between your two eyebrows where the bridge of your nose meets your forehead.
Firm pressure applied to the third eye pressure point is thought to relieve eyestrain and sinus pressure that often cause headaches.
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Sinus Headache Relief: 10 Simple Ways To Soothe Your Sinus Headache
Many of us suffer from sinus problems now and then. For some, sinusitis can be a common occurrence. Those who suffer from sinus issues will know how uncomfortable it can get, having to bear with symptoms such as sinus headache and blocked ears. In this article, we look at some causes and symptoms of sinus headache, and cover 10 home remedies that might provide sinus headache relief.