When You Should Call Or See A Doctor
While minor pain or pressure behind the eyes might pass on its own within a few hours, there are instances in which you should call or see a doctor.
Reach out to your doctor if you experience any of these along with pain or pressure behind your eye:
- Sudden, intense pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Drooping eyelid
If you have anything in your eye, or you suspect your eye pain is caused by an injury or accident, seek medical attention immediately.
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Use Humidifiers Within The Home
Wherever you can, keep your sinuses moist. When they dry out, the pressure feels worse, and you can suffer more symptoms, such as dizziness and headaches. Humidifiers are the easiest and quickest way to keep your sinuses moist throughout the day, especially when you are in the home. They help to add moisture to the air, regardless of the temperatures and humidity outside. If you live in an area known for dry heat, you will want to consider a humidifier for other reasons. They are excellent for keeping the skin moist and supporting the heat of the rest of your body.
Keep the humidifiers running throughout the night. This is often when most people experience drier temperatures and need the help. You can avoid waking up with the feeling that you have been in the sauna.
If you cannot use a humidifier for any reason, you will need to consider your other options to keep your sinuses moist and clear. One of the best options is a nasal saline spray.
Most people will think of the pharmaceutical options, but they are not necessary. You can make your own with just some filtered or pre-boiled water. You will want to make sure the toxins and minerals are removed from the water before using it as a saline spray.
Dont use the saline mixtures within the ears. You can cause damage to your hearing. Only opt for ear saline treatments when used by a trained professional.
Can Gums Bleed From Ragweed Allergies
Drying of the soft tissues in the mouth during mouth-breathing with a stuffy nose can cause plaque to form more quickly on the teeth. Saliva naturally helps keep our teeth clean, so when the mouth is dry this creates an area where more plaque can accumulate along the gum-line. This contributes to gingivitis and gum irritation.
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How Is Sinus Headache Prevented
If you have reoccurring 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, like avoiding allergens and incorporating aerobic exercise into your routine, might decrease how many headaches you get.
In cases of chronic sinusitis, a nasal surgery like a balloon sinuplasty might be the only way to stop getting more sinus headaches.
Sinus Pressure Points On The Back Of The Head And Neck
There are areas around the neck and base of the skull that present an opportunity to relieve sinus pressure. The pressure points in these areas are located in delicate, cavity-like areas where the neck and skull adjoin. There are two such points.
One of them is the specific point where the neck meets the skull. It is right in the middle of the neck/head, near the base of your hairline.
To find it, place your finger at your hairline and move it either up or down until you find the cavity. By squeezing the point with your thumb for about five minutes, it may help clear sinus pressure.
The other area is found on the neck close to the base of the skull. The points are located at the highest point of the neck, just below the base of the skull.
To find it, place both of your thumbs at the top of your neck point and slowly separate them until you feel the cavities . Access the point by pressing slightly in and up and holding for about five minutes.
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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.
Talk To A Doctor About The Pressure Behind Your Eye
While the cause for the pressure behind your eye may be a mild illness, there are a range of serious illnesses that could be the underlying cause. If those conditions are left untreated, they could lead to a life-threatening situation.
If your eye pressure doesnt disappear with home remedies or over-the-counter pain medication, its best to see a doctor. Luckily, you dont even have to leave your house to consult with a qualified physician. Just book an appointment online.
At Carefree MD, we have doctors on call for you 24/7. You can talk to a doctor online today about headaches, sinus conditions, allergies, and a number of other issues.
All you have to do is sign up for Carefree MD. Once youre a member, you can get unlimited access to a virtual doctor to help you with your medical needs. Learn more!
The Carefree Dental MD blog is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The text and pictures within the content are intended for information purposes only. Readers should consult with a licensed doctor or healthcare professional before seeking treatment.
The Carefree MD Card is not insurance and Carefree MD is not an insurance provider.
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How Should I Use Flonase Nasal Spray
Use Flonase exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.
Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Your dose will depend on the fluticasone brand or strength you use, and your dose may change once your symptoms improve. Follow all dosing instructions very carefully.
A child using the nasal spray should be supervised by an adult.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.
Shake the nasal spray just before each use.
If you switched to fluticasone from another steroid medicine, you should not stop using it suddenly. Follow your doctors instructions about tapering your dose.
It may take several days before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a week of treatment.
Store Flonase in an upright position at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Throw the spray bottle away after you have used 120 sprays, even if there is still medicine left in the bottle.
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How To Identify Sinus Tooth Pain
Sinus inflammation is known as sinusitis, and tooth pain is often a marker of this condition. However, it is important to distinguish the root cause of the pain for proper relief. Heres how tooth pain due to sinusitis is different from the regular one. Look out for the signs mentioned ahead.
- If the tooth pain is because of the sinus, it will most definitely put pressure on multiple teeth.
- pressure around the eyes and forehead
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How Do You Relieve Sinus Toothache
Since the pain you are feeling is brought about by infection, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. If the pain is unbearable, though, here are some things you can do to alleviate the discomfort before you go to your appointment:
- Keep drinking water. Extra fluids can help thin your mucus so that it drains from your sinuses easily.
- Eat green vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, leafy greens, and bean sprouts. foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids like salmon which help prevent the effect of histamines.
- Add foods that are rich in calcium and Vitamin C to your diet as these help counteract histamines, too.
- Use a saline solution to rinse your sinuses. This will help clear the cavity while moisturizing your sinuses.
- Breathe in steam, like the vapor from a bowl of hot water, or take a hot shower and breathe in the warm, moist air. This helps open your nasal passages and relieves sinus pressure.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Headaches Caused By Sinus Pressure
Sinus headaches are the result of swelling or inflammation in the mucosal lining of the nose and sinuses. This swelling can cause a sensation of pressure in the head, face and behind the eyes, which is often accompanied by pain in the form of a headache, pain around the eyes, and pain in the face. These symptoms can get worse with movements such as lying or bending down.
Sinus headaches typically have other symptoms that coincide with them. These symptoms usually resemble a head cold and can include:
- Nasal congestion
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What Triggers Sinusitis
The common cold is the leading culprit. The average adult gets two to three colds a year, and the average child gets six to 10. Colds are caused by viruses, not bacteria, and antibiotics are useless for treatment. But cold viruses produce swelling of the nasal tissues, which can sometimes block the sinuses. Colds also change the mucus, preventing it from doing its normal job of clearing viruses and bacteria from the sinuses.
You may get some sinus pressure when you get a cold, but that doesnt mean you have sinusitis or that you need an antibiotic. Only about one cold in 100 leads to sinusitis, and you can make the odds work for you by doing what it takes to keep your sinuses draining . You can also help your cause by blowing your nose gently without pinching it tightly forceful blowing can force bacteria up into your sinuses.
Many other things can block your sinuses and lead to infection. The list includes allergies, cigarette smoke and other irritating fumes, changes in barometric pressure during flying or scuba diving, nasal polyps, and a deviated nasal septum.
What Are The Symptoms
Your symptoms depend on how youâre exposed — through the air, your skin, food, or through an insect sting.
If youâve got a nasal allergy , common symptoms include:
- Itchy, runny nose
- Feeling tired or ill
Common symptoms of a skin allergy include rashes and hives . Your skin may be red, itchy, or swollen.
If an insect sting was the trigger, youâll have swelling, redness, and pain where it stung you.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Most go away shortly after the exposure stops.
Mild ones may be almost unnoticeable. You might just feel a little âoff.â
Moderate symptoms can make you feel ill, as if youâve got a cold or even the flu.
Severe allergic reactions are extreme.
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When To See A Doctor For Sinus Pain
If your sinus symptoms are not getting better with at-home treatments, and if your sinus symptoms last longer than seven to 10 days, you should see a doctor for treatment. Allina Health has many convenient care options for care, from online visits to walk-in care, to help you get better fast.
If you have frequent or reoccurring sinus infections, you may want to see an ear, nose and throat for your treatment options.
When Should I See An Ent For Sinus Pain And Pressure
A good rule of thumb is to talk to your doctor if sinus pain and pressure is affecting your daily life. Other things to look out for include:
- It makes it difficult to sleep
- Youve had a stuffy or runny nose for over a week
- Your sinus headaches more frequently
- Over-the-counter treatments dont work
- You injured your nose
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What Causes Eye Pain
Causes of eye pain fall into two broad categories: ocular pain and orbital pain.
Orbital pain is described as a deep, dull ache behind or in the eye. This pain is often caused by diseases of the eye.
- Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve. The optic nerve connects to the back of the eye. The cause of this inflammation can be from multiple sclerosis, viral infections, or bacterial infections and can cause symptoms such as pressure behind the eye together with changes in vision and eye pain, especially on movement of the affected eye.
- Sinusitis, which is a bacterial or viral infection or allergic reaction in the sinuses, can cause a sensation of orbital or eye socket pain. Pain coming from the sinus cavities can be interpreted as eye pain.
- Migraines and cluster headaches are a very common cause of orbital eye pain.
- Painful ophthalmoplegia is the combination of orbital pain and eye muscle weakness. In addition to pain, there is double vision when both eyes are open. Causes include various inflammatory conditions of the orbit.
- Tooth pain resulting from problems with the upper teeth may present as pain in the orbit or below the eye.
- Traumatic events, such as a penetrating injury to the eye, a blow to the eye with a foreign object, and motor vehicle collisions, are causes of significant eye pain and injury. Scratches to the cornea typically associated with traumatic events are very painful. These are common eye problems that lead people to seek medical attention.
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.
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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.
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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Sleep With Your Head Above Your Heart
If youve ever had a swollen ankle, youll know that putting your foot above your heart can drain away some of that excess fluid. The same logic also works for sinus pressure. Increase blood flow from the sinuses to relieve mucous build-up by raising your head on pillows before bed, so its higher than your heart.
Sinus Infection Complications Affecting The Brain
An even more rare, and more serious, complication of sinus infection would be the infection spreading to the brain. The brain is protected by the blood-brain barrier, whose function is to separate circulating blood from the brain and the fluid of the central nervous system. Its very difficult for sinus infection to be able to cross this border, despite the proximity of the sinuses to the brain.
The blood-brain barrier is semipermeable, however, and it is possible on rare occasions for an infection to get through from the sinuses to the brain. If a sinus infection spreads to the brain, it can be a life-threatening condition, leading to swelling of the brain, meningitis, or brain abscess.
Symptoms might include:
- Severe headache, and
- Swelling in the face.
Most of these symptoms would require an emergency visit to the doctor, even without an association with a sinus infection.
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