How To Relieve Sinus Pressure In Your Head

How To Relieve Sinus And Nasal Congestion

Self-Massage to Relieve Sinus Pressure | Head Massage

Give yourself a sinus relief massage.

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.

Irrigate your sinuses.

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.

Take a decongestant.

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 Sinexâ¢ Severe All-in-One Sinus Liquicapsâthe non-drowsy formula contains a powerful pain reliever and phenylephrine, a safe and effective decongestant.

Try a nasal spray.

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How Are Sinus Headaches Diagnosed

Most of the time when people diagnose themselves with a sinus headache, its really a migraine. So, its important to see your healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or ongoing, you may also need imaging tests. A magnetic resonance imaging test can rule out serious brain conditions. Multiple imaging tests can reveal sinus blockages and include:

X-rays.
Computed tomography scan.
Nasal endoscopy .

What Can I Do About Recurring Sinus Headaches

Many sinus headaches, especially those that recur, are actually migraines. But its smart to see your healthcare provider to figure out the cause of your headaches.

You may find that the best long-term solution is figuring out what triggers your migraine headaches so you can avoid them. Its helpful to keep a headache diary to track potential triggers. Triggers you can control include:

Alcohol.
Specific foods, such as chocolate, red wine or strong cheese.
Lack of sleep.

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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.

Fight Head Congestion With Sudafed

Consider taking SUDAFED PE® Head Congestion+Pain. With Ibuprofen and phenylephrine , this coated tablet can help provide relief from your head cold symptoms and combat pesky nasal congestion and swelling, sinus pressure, headache, fever, and body aches. Always read and follow the label carefully, and make sure the product is right for you.

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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 .

How Is A Cholesteatoma Treated

Generally speaking, the only way to treat a cholesteatoma is to have it surgically removed. The cyst must be removed to prevent the complications that can occur if it grows larger. Cholesteatomas dont go away naturally. They usually continue to grow and cause additional problems.

Once a cholesteatoma has been diagnosed, a regimen of antibiotics, ear drops, and careful cleaning of the ear will most likely be prescribed to treat the infected cyst, reduce inflammation, and drain the ear. Your medical professional will then be able to better analyze the growth traits of the cyst and make a plan for surgical removal.

In most cases, the surgery is an outpatient procedure. This means that you dont have to stay in the hospital after the procedure. A hospital stay is only necessary if the cyst is very large or if you have a serious infection. The surgery is done under general anesthesia. After the initial surgery to remove the cyst, follow-up surgery to reconstruct any damaged portions of the inner ear and make sure that the cyst has been completely removed is often necessary.

Once the cholesteatoma is removed, youll need to attend follow-up appointments to evaluate results and ensure the cyst hasnt come back. If the cyst broke any bones in your ear, youll need a second surgery to repair them.

After surgery, some people experience temporary dizziness or taste abnormalities. These side effects almost always resolve themselves within a few days.

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How Can A Sinus Infection Affect Your Ears

Most sinusitis-related ear problems, including tinnitus, are caused by the congestion that occurs during a sinus infection. To better understand this phenomenon, lets take a second to review a few facts about sinusitis.

Sinusitis most frequently occurs when a virus or bacteria irritates the tissues of your sinus cavities. This irritation can lead to swelling which, in turn, can lead to mucus buildup and congestion.

Your sinus cavities and ears are interconnected systems, so congestion in the sinuses can create ear congestion, as well. Congestion in the ear may block the tube known as the Eustachian Tube that connects the middle ear to the outer ear and helps regulate pressure within the ear. When the Eustachian Tube is blocked, the pressure is allowed to build up around the eardrum, which is ultimately what causes ringing in the ears, aka tinnitus.

Whether you have an acute sinus infection or a sinus infection that wont go away, so long as the congestion is severe enough, it can cause tinnitus.

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Sinus Pain And Pressure Causes

Sinus & Head Cold Advice : How to Relieve Sinus Pressure in the Face

There are different types of sinuses, each of which can cause different sinus pain symptoms. The images below show what causes sinus pressure in different areas of your face, neck and head and can be helpful to pinpoint relief or discuss with your doctor.

Frontal

Maxillary sinuses causes pain in the cheeks, upper jaw or teeth.

Sphenoid

Sphenoid sinuses causes pain behind the eyes, on the top of the scalp or along the back of the head.

Stop Earache & Ear Pain

When there is pressure in the sinuses it can put a lot of pressure on the ears which leads to discomfort and even severe pain. Its okay to relieve the pain by taking over the counter medications such as Ibuprofen, or Acetaminophen. If pressure or ear pain lasts more than a few days its better to seek medical aid to make sure there isnt another underlining problem. The sinuses could be infected which is why the pressure wont let up. You may need to treat a sinus infections.

What Causes Sinus Pressure And Headaches

Bacteria or viral infectionSinus pressure and headaches are often caused by inflammation from a bacterial or viral infection. The lining of your sinuses begin to swell, which traps mucus and pus in your sinus cavities causing pressure in the face, over the cheeks or forehead, or between or behind the eyes.

Weather change

For people with sinus problems or allergies, a shift in weatherespecially from summer to fallcan cause sinus headaches. Sinus pressure from weather is more prevalent in Houston and other coastal cities where high pressure and low pressure systems meet.

Stress

Stress-induced sinus pressure can also occur because stress weakens your bodys immune system, making you more vulnerable to the effects of allergens, as well as germs, bacteria, viruses, infections.

Injury or genetics

A deviated septum or narrow sinuses dont cause sinus pressure but can make it easier to get congested and more likely to have chronic sinus infections.

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Sinus Infection And Sinus Headache

Health issues such as seasonal allergies and upper respiratory infections can cause inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses. This can result in a sinus headache.

A sinus headache causes a feeling of constant pressure in the front of the head. A person may also experience the sensation in the:

nose
cheekbones

What To Do When Home Remedies Aren’t Working

When you have a sinus headache, trying some treatments at home should be your first step. However, if you’ve 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 it’s the right choice for you and how it can help, as well as some of the risks that surgery can have. Before discussing surgery, it’s 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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See Your Doctor If All Else Fails

The pressure within your sinuses may be due to another condition. Pain in your ears could be due to a more serious problem. You will want to speak to your doctor if the sinus pressure persists after trying everything. See your doctor if it persists for longer than three to four weeks.

Unfortunately, a lot of sinus pressure is due to a viral infection. Antibiotics will not help clear viral infections up, and you will have to work with your body to clear them up naturally. Eat food that will boost your immune systems capabilities and look after your overall body to help overcome the problem right away.

Your doctor will consider all the reasons for your sinus pressure. You will then get the exact help you need, rather than just treating symptoms as you go. Your doctor may still recommend the above seven proven techniques for removing the symptoms while you get rid of the reason.

What Are The Signs You Have A Sinus Headache

When you or your child are experiencing a headache, there are signs and symptoms that can help determine whether its a sinus headache, rather than a migraine or other issue.

Blocked nose with a yellow discharge
Pain across your forehead, cheeks and nose
Increased pain when you move your head or bend over
Persistent pain that remains after a cold has cleared

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Make The Sinus Pain And Mind

“Techniques that take advantage of the mind-body connection, such as deep breathing practices and relaxation exercises, can be very effective for relieving sinus pain,” notes Das. These practices rely on the mind’s ability to influence pain perception and are especially helpful with chronic or recurrent pain that is often seen with sinus pressure. Some examples include biofeedback, meditation, yoga, and hypnotherapy.

Upper Cervical Misalignments And Your Ears

Headache Treatments : How to Relieve a Sinus Pressure Headache

The upper cervical spine consists of the C1 and C2 vertebrae located at the base of the skull, almost directly between the ears. These bones both balance the head and provide it with more than half of its range of motion. Therefore, if even the slightest of misalignments occur, the body gets to work correcting the problem. This usually means changes in the surrounding soft tissue that keep the head on straight. Unfortunately, these changes can affect other surrounding soft tissue.

For example, it may affect the tiny tubes that are supposed to be draining fluid away from the ears. As a result, you may become more prone to pressure buildup. That pressure, in turn, causes frequent episodes of vertigo or other problems such as tinnitus , hearing loss, or just the feeling that your ear is stopped up. How can you correct the underlying problem and get your ears to release pressure properly again? We want to introduce you to upper cervical chiropractic care.

Why Are Sinus Headaches And Migraines Confused For One Another

So, the answer to the question, Can you have sinus pressure but now congestion? is: not likely. But you can have a migraine whether youre congested or not, and this is where the main point of confusion arises.The root cause behind migraines is still up for debate. However the prevailing theory is that migraines are caused by neurological issues in the brain. Even so, the symptoms of sinus pressure can overlap with symptoms of a migraine. For example, patients suffering from either sinus pressure or migraines can experience drainage, watery eyes, and of course, facial pain.

It is a commonly held belief that people who experience migraines have pain on the one side or the otherof their head. While this idea is true for many individuals, many others experience pain in their cheeks and forehead ie, in the exact same place where you would experience sinus pressure. And some people experience sinus pressure on one side of their head.People who experience migraines also frequently claim that factors such as weather changes, allergies, and congestion can act as triggers for their headaches contributing factors also shared with sinus headaches.

Avoid Smoke And Noxious Fumes

The air you breathe could be making your sinuses ache, depending on what that air is carrying. Avoid cigarette smoke and fumes from

harsh cleaning products,
hair spray, and
perfumes.

With a world full of industrial chemicals and people who smoke, how can you keep your sinus problems at bay? Here are a couple of tips:

Don’t let friends or family smoke in your home.
Look for “green” cleaning products in unscented varieties. They’re less likely to contain the harsh chemicals that can kick-start sinus pressure and pain.

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What Kind Of Doctor Or Other Healthcare Professional Treats Sinus Headache

Frequently, sinus headaches are managed by primary care physicians including those that specialize in internal medicine, family medicine, or pediatrics.
For complicated cases, an ear, nose, and throat specialist may be consulted.
With unusual infections, such as fungal infections, a specialist in infectious diseases may be consulted.

What Causes Sinus Pain And Pressure

11 Powerful SINUS PRESSURE Relief Remedies

Your sinuses are air-filled spaces connected to your nasal passages that help humidify air as you breathe in and produce mucus that helps trap bacteria and foreign particles. When nasal passages and their tissues become irritated, mucus can build up instead of draining normally. This build-up causes swelling and often causes pain and pressure in your sinuses. Swollen and inflamed tissues can also cause pressure on nerve endings around your sinuses. This leads to dull or throbbing pain and aches.

Several factors can cause nasal passage irritation and bring on sinus pressure symptoms.

Environmental irritants Airborne pollutants such as those that cause allergies can trigger mucus build up and sinus pressure.
A sinus infection Sinusitis, more commonly known as a sinus infection, could be a cause of your sinus pressure and pain. If you think you may have a sinus infection, talk to your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
The common cold Not every cold is the same but sometimes symptoms include mucus build up, which can mean sinus pressure and pain.

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Can You Have Sinus Pressure But No Congestion

Can you have sinus pressure but no congestion? And if you can, does this mean you have a sinus infection that requires special treatment? If not, exactly what can mimic a sinus infection?

Unfortunately, the answers to this slippery slope of questions arent always so cut and dry. In particular, with a headache like this, theres a chance that its not a sinus headache, but a migraine. The treatment and causes of a migraine and sinus pressure are very different, but the symptoms can overlap significantly. These overlapping symptoms can lead to confusion and leave people at a loss for which types of treatment to pursue.

If youre feeling sinus pressure without the typical influx of mucus, heres what you need to know.

How Are Sinus Headaches Prevented

If you have reoccurring sinus headaches as a symptom of sinusitis or seasonal allergies, you may need to consider prescription medication to manage the condition.

Lifestyle changes to reduce congestion, such as avoiding allergens and incorporating aerobic exercise into your routine, might decrease how many headaches you get.

In cases of chronic sinusitis, a nasal surgery such as a balloon sinuplasty might be the only way to stop getting more sinus headaches.

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