Increase Your Fluid Intake
Drinking more fluids, specifically water, may help to thin out mucus. This may reduce the stuffed or clogged feeling in your nose and sinuses. It may also be helpful to limit alcohol, which can dehydrate you and dry you out even more.
Try to drink more water during the summertime, when temperatures rise, and when you engage in physical activity. If plain water isnt appealing to you, try adding a lemon to your water, drink flavored water, or try an electrolyte beverage.
Sleeping with a humidifier, a machine that adds moisture to the air, may help:
- Keep your mucous membranes moist
- Ease some breathing issues
Most humidifiers need distilled water or frequent cleaning in order to keep bacteria from growing in the system. You can also consider purchasing a more expensive self-cleaning humidifier.
Humidifiers can be added to your heating/cooling system. This is the most expensive option, but it allows you to control the humidity levels in your home year round.
Sinus Pressure Points On The Feet
There are also pressure points on the feet that may improve sinus pressure. Much like your fingernails, the toenails also have pressure points.
The areas, youâll find, are almost identical to your fingernails with a few minor differences. Toenail pressure points are located at the base of the nail where it meets the skin.
- Big toe: inside and outside corner
- Every other toe : the outside bottom corner
Press each of these points lightly, and you may notice some sinus pressure relief.
Also, like your fingers, your toe tips have pressure points that may be useful in clearing sinus pressure. Use the same method as you would for fingertips.
Massaging the balls of your feet may also offer an answer to relieving sinus pressure. You can do it yourself, but itâs probably better to get someone else to do it. Who couldnât use a foot massage?
As youâve seen, there are pressure points you can access from head to toe that may help relieve sinus pressure. Go through and test them all to see which might work for you.
Sphenoid And Ethmoid Sinus Massage
The sphenoid sinuses are in the center of the skull, behind the nose and between the eyes. The ethmoid sinuses are in front of the sphenoid sinuses. They sit between the bridge of the nose and the inner edge of the eye sockets.
Inflammation of the sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses can lead to headaches, facial pain, and postnasal drainage.
These steps explain how to massage the sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses effectively:
A person should repeat the slow, downward strokes for about 30 seconds.
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Spice Up Your Diet To Ease Sinus Pressure
âMany 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,â 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.
Ways To Relieve Sinus Headache Pain And Pressure
When you have a sinus headache, all you want is reliefâ¦fast!
As the makers of BC® Sinus Pain & Congestion , were going to tell you to take our powder formula for fast relief. It can help you quickly relieve the sinus headache, congestion and pressure that can come with allergies, a cold, sinus infection or the flu.
But we also want to give you other optionssimple things you can do at home to help relieve sinus congestion and pain.
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Home Remedies Ease Symptoms But A Diagnosis Is Crucial
You will need a specific approach to treatment that depends on the cause of the pressure or pain behind the eye.
Conditions caused by bacteria and viruses require prescription medication. Eye drops are often prescribed, but you may need to take antibiotic pills or antiviral medicines too. These reduce symptoms or eliminate the disease altogether, depending on your diagnosis.
Bacterial infections usually take about one to two weeks to clear up. Some viral infections, like herpes simplex, are potentially chronic and recurrent, but symptoms can be managed. Outbreaks can be reduced with the right antiviral prescription.
You can lessen pain by taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If you take other prescription medicines, confirm with your doctor that you can mix over-the-counter painkillers with your medication. Some of these over-the-counter options also help to reduce swelling, which eases the sensation of pressure behind the eye.
If you have an infection, putting a blindfold over your eyes can help reduce sensitivity to light.
Do not put oil-based drops, like essential oils, into your eyes. You may use over-the-counter eye drops to reduce redness. If your doctor prescribes eye drops, confirm that it is safe to use over-the-counter eye drops as well. Generally, your doctor will recommend you stick to the prescription drops, but sometimes, over-the-counter drops can be combined with them to relieve itchiness or other symptoms.
Potential Causes Of Pressure Or Pain Behind The Eyes
Eye pressure and eye pain go together in many conditions, but they are different sensations. Pressure will feel like something is pushing on your eye from the back. In contrast, pain can be described as gritty, dull, a shooting sensation, or feeling like something is stuck in your eye.
There are many common causes of pressure or pain behind the eyes.
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Pain Or Pressure Behind The Eye: What It Could Mean
by True Eye Experts | May 23, 2022 | Blog Post
Everyone experiences pressure or pain behind the eyes from time to time. However, this eye pain can last for long periods or become particularly concerning if you dont know whats provoking it.
There are a few causes of this pain or pressure, each with unique symptoms and recommended treatment. Its also common that this pain is not originating from your eyes but another part of your head, so its important to figure out the source of the eye pain to figure out if theres a larger problem in your body.
If youve been experiencing this kind of pain, keep reading the article below to explore the possible reasons why. Plus, well explain some symptoms to identify and offer treatment recommendations.
What Causes A Sinus Infection
A sinus infection can be caused by several different things including:
Seasonal allergies A deviated septum: The septum is the part of the nose that divides it into right and left nostrils. Some people have crooked or deviated septums, which makes them more susceptible to sinus infections. Nasal polyps Respiratory tract infections
Sinus infections may be acute or chronic .
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What To Do For Sinus Pressure And Pain At Home
Here are the top 10 at-hometreatments to help ease your sinus pain and inflammation to get rid of your sinus infection faster.
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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Migraines And Tension Headaches
Tension and migraine headaches are two types of headaches that can induce a sense of pressure behind the eyes.
Tension headaches are the most frequent type of headache, with over 80% of people suffering from them.
Migraine headaches are a form of severe headache that are often accompanied by visual irregularities, such as zig ag or colorful lines. You may experience migraine headaches randomly or due a trigger such as stress or certain foods or medications.
A headache can cause a variety of symptoms in addition to pressure behind the eyes, such as:
- Red, teary eyes
- Neck and shoulder muscle pain
- Swelling on one side of your face
- Sweating or redness of your face
- Pain in your head that feels aching, tight or intense
How Can I Permanently Cure Sinusitis
Depending on the underlying cause, medical therapies may include: Intranasal corticosteroids. Intranasal corticosteroids reduce inflammation in the nasal passages. Oral corticosteroids. Oral corticosteroids are pill medications that work like intranasal steroids. Decongestants. Saline irrigation. Antibiotics. Immunotherapy.
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When To See A Doctor
The feeling of pressure behind the eyes alone is not a serious medical condition and over the counter solutions could help ease the pain and discomfort. However, some symptoms, like loss of vision, fever, swelling, or frequent headaches should be evaluated by a physician for proper diagnosis.
If youre experiencing any of the above symptoms or think you might have an eye condition, contact your primary care physician for a medical review. If an eye specialist is required, feel free to contact us for a personal consultation.
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Hum Your Way To Sinus Pain Relief
“Some people report that humming for one hour improves sinus pain,” says Das. Researchers in Sweden have found that humming can keep your sinuses clear. How could that be possible? Humming may increase both airflow through your sinuses and the level of nitric oxide in your sinuses. The combination of nitric oxide and airflow may reduce your risk of sinusitis. So if you have a common cold or allergies, want to prevent a sinus infection, and know a happy tune that you don’t mind hearing for an hour, you may want to try a little humming.
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Avoid Triggers That Can Cause Sinus Pressure
Most of the time, it is ignored but there are some particles that can trigger sinus infections. This can aggravate the sinus pressure and make the nasal congestion worse.
Fortunately, there are some natural ways that can prevent these triggers and thereby, get relief from sinus pressure.
-Avoid alcohol-Clean the humidifier regularly to avoid fungal allergies-Wash the bedding in hot water to wash out any allergy exposure-Dont swim, dive or fly when you have sinusitis
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Can You Get A Sinus Infection In Your Eyes
In some cases, a sinus infection can spread to the eyelid, skin and soft tissues. Periorbital cellulitis, also known as preseptal cellulitis, can occur when the area around the eye, including the eyelid, becomes infected. Orbital cellulitis can occur if the eyeball itself, and the tissues around the eyeball, become infected. Periorbital cellulitis cannot develop into orbital cellulitis because a fibrous tissue surrounding the eyeball serves as a barrier.
Both of these conditions are more common in children than in adults. Periorbital cellulitis is more common and less dangerous than orbital cellulitis. Both conditions can cause red, swollen and painful eyelids. Fever may sometimes occur with periorbital sinusitis, although it is more common in orbital cellulitis. It is important to note that periorbital cellulitis does not typically affect vision or eye movement.
In addition to the symptoms above, symptoms of orbital cellulitis also may include:
-
Eye pain, especially when moving the affected eye
If orbital cellulitis has been ruled out, you may be able to treat periorbital cellulitis at home with oral medications with close supervision by an ophthalmologist. Orbital cellulitis typically requires hospitalization and IV antibiotics. It is important to see a doctor right away if you think you or your child may have either condition.
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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.
Sinus Pressure Points On The Ear
You may be able to relieve sinus pressure by pressing on the ear gate, which is found on top of the ear, just in front of the lobe. Use your thumb and index finger to press and hold the point for about five minutes.
Another pressure point sits at the bottom of the ear, behind the ear lobe. This is called the windscreen. Hold for three to five minutes on both sides of the ear. It may offer you relief from both sinus pain and ear pain.
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How You Can Find Relief
Its important to review your sinusitis symptoms and how long youve been having them with a physician. Teladoc doctors can help you determine the possible cause of your symptoms, especially if youre concerned you may have COVID-19. If your sinus problems are caused by allergies, there are strategies and medications that can help bring relief. While bothersome mucus is often an effect of a viral infection, a bacterial infection can develop after a virus has taken hold. In this case, oral antibiotics can help with healing.
Regardless of whats causing all this congestion, try to put the to-do list aside and get some rest. If youre having pain, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Petroleum jelly can soothe a sore nose on the outside, while nasal drops or a nasal irrigation device can help flush out nasal passages on the inside. Treat and blow each nostril separately, Dr. Hood says.
Also, dont forget about all that mucus youre losing: Moisture should play a key role in your return to good health. Drink plenty of liquids like water, juice, warm broth or soup, Dr. Hood says, and use a cool-mist humidifier to soothe the airways, especially when sleeping. Steam from hot showers can help reduce inflammation and make breathing easier. Also try a warm compress on the nose, cheekbones or forehead for relief from sinusitis symptoms, he adds.
1https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/sinuses.htm
Treatment Of Pressure Behind The Eyes
The underlying cause of your high eye pressure symptoms will determine the treatment you receive.
If bacteria caused the infection in your sinuses, your doctor would prescribe antibiotics to treat it. You may require antibiotics for three to four weeks if you have a persistent sinus infection.
If the sinus pressure and other high eye pressure symptoms don’t go away, see your doctor. The condition could necessitate sinus surgery. Take an over-the-counter pain treatment such as aspirin , acetaminophen , or ibuprofen for headaches .
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Sinus Pain Has A Variety Of Causes
If your head is throbbing and you feel pressure around your eyes, cheeks, or forehead, you could have a sinus headache. “Many factors can cause a sinus headache,” says Subinoy Das, MD, chief executive officer and interim medical director for the U.S. Institute for Advanced Sinus Care and Research in Columbus, Ohio. The most important factor is swelling of the lining of the nose and sinuses, causing pressure and pain on in the face and head.
Symptoms of sinus pain and headache include pain associated with congestion from a common cold or allergies pain around your eyes, forehead, or over your teeth pain that is worse in the morning and pain that gets worse when you bend over. Some of the more natural methods of relieving sinus pain that reduce swelling, thin mucus secretions, and improve sinus drainage are often very helpful.
Is There A Way To Lower Eye Pressure Naturally
Although some of the risk factors above are unavoidable, it is possible to reduce your eye pressure naturally. These are simple, common sense, suggestions that can make a big difference in the way your eyes age. The first step on the path to lowering your eye pressure naturally is to lower your insulin levels.
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