How To Treat A Sinus Infection
In the case of sinus infections, pain medication is rarely prescribed. Patients will be encouraged to try a sinus rinse using a Neti Pot before moving on to more serious interventions.
In cases of acute sinusitis, patients may also experience cold-like symptoms. If these symptoms dont get better or appear to get worse after 5-7 days, your doctor may decide to treat the sinus infection with antibiotics along with nasal decongestant, nasal sprays, and saline solution.
In severe cases of sinus infections, your doctor may decide to prescribe steroids.
Theres only one thing worse than suffering from a sinus infection or an ear infection: suffering from both at the same time. Unfortunately, anything that causes nasal swelling can cause swelling of the middle ear space because the nose is congested. So cases in which you have a sinus infection and ear infection at the same time can be especially painful.
When it comes to different infections in the ear, nose, and throat, its easy to get your wires crossed and find that you arent quite sure whats going on in your body.
Drink Plenty Of Water
You will hear this all the time, but it is essential for relieving the pressure in your ears. The more you swallow, the more you get rid of the pressure. Think about when you are on a plane taking off or landing. You will feel relief when you swallow. Your ears clear from the pressure that builds within your ears. The same applies even when you are on the ground.
Drinking plenty of water encourages you to swallow more. You will get rid of the build-up much sooner than when you do not drink water.
If you have no access to a drink for a short space of time, make sure you have some suck-able sweeties or some chewing gum. Opt for sugar-free to protect your teeth as much as possible. The gum and sweets will help to encourage more saliva to form within the mouth. This means you need to swallow a lot more!
You do not just need to drink water. Any juice or drink that encourages you to swallow more will help. Water is only the best for your overall health.
Herbal teas can be beneficial. They offer the steam without the excess caffeine that can make your sinus pressure worse. You can breathe in some of the steam to help remove the blockage while using the swallowing to relieve some of the pressure buildups.
Yawning will also help to clear out the pressure. You open your sinuses when you yawn, encouraging blockages to move and forcing the pressure to move elsewhere. Just cover your mouth when you yawn out of courtesy to others. Check out more info on how to quit yawning here
Opt For Some Over The Counter Pain Remedies
While you are getting rid of the pressure, you may want to relieve the pain and discomfort you feel. Sometimes the only way to do that is through over the counter remedies. You do not need strong painkillers to help. Just some paracetamol or aspirin will do the trick.
If you have a medical condition or take medication that means taking aspirin is dangerous, opt for the paracetamol instead. You may also want to talk to your doctor to find out if there is anything else that you should avoid.
Treat the over the counter remedies as a last resort. Most of the six other remedies will help to get rid of the pressure and reasons for the pressure. The painkillers are more to treat the symptoms if you find nothing else works.
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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 .
How To Alleviate Ear Pressure
Ear pressure can be an uncomfortable feeling when one or both of your ears feel clogged. Ear pressure occurs when the eustachian tube becomes partially or completely blocked as a consequence of common colds, allergies, or sinusitis. When the eustachian tube gets blocked, sounds may become muffled and you may experience pressure, pain, or fullness in your ear.
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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.
Use Of Garlic Olive Oil Massage And Onion:
Garlic and olive oil massage nearby ear area can help relax the ache, relieve pressure build-up and help drainage. Onions are another effective method for relieving sinus pressure in ears. For that heat a chopped onion to the body temperature. Wrap heated onions in a cloth and apply it over the area of ears as a hot compress. You should make sure that you are using fresh onion in this method.
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Complications Of Chronic Sinusitis
Some people are troubled by frequent sinus infections, or continuous infection. Chronic sinusitis can linger for weeks or even months at a time. This can sometimes lead to serious complications, including infections in the bones and tissue near to the sinuses. Very rarely this infection can spread to the brain and the fluid around the brain. The person will be very ill and have swelling around the eyes.People with chronic sinusitis may have other problems which affect the nose, throat and ears at the same time, including:
- Middle ear infection and temporary deafness
- Post-nasal drip , which can lead to constant coughing, a sore throat and bad breath.
About Ear Nose And Throat
Ear, Nose, and Throat Services at UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside ranks among the best nationally on U.S. News & World Reports listings. Our team includes board-certified physicians and highly skilled speech-language pathologists and audiologists. We treat a variety of ear, nose, and throat conditions in both children and adults and provide both surgical and non-surgical options. Our doctors also take part in research and clinical trials. We have locations throughout western Pennsylvania for patient convenience.
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Common Causes Of Pressure In Your Ears
Change in altitude Altitude changes can be tough on your ears, leading to things like ear pain or headaches. One of the most common ways altitude affects our bodies is through pressure changes in your eustachian tubes.
Flying in an airplane, driving up the mountains, or riding up an elevator all have one thing in common. When altitude changes rapidly your eustachian tubes may not have time to adapt and can become blocked.
Sinusitis Sinusitis is a painful condition that occurs when your sinuses, the hollow spaces inside your face, become inflamed. The swelling and pressure can cause you to feel fullness or pain in your ears.
In some cases, its caused by bacteria as well as viruses. When you have sinusitis symptoms, such as congestion or inflammation of the mucous lining inside the nose coupled with headache and fever, see a doctor promptly for treatment because they may be signs of bacterial infection.
Colds An ear infection, like the common cold, can be easily spread. The illness is caused by a virus or bacteria that enters through the lining of your nose and throat. When youre sick with an ear infection, you may also experience ear pressure because fluid builds up in your middle ears to combat the infection. Another type of middle-ear condition would be otitis media, which occurs when there isnt enough drainage from your eustachian tubes due to inflammation. This causes fluid buildup and promotes germs to grow even more rapidly than they normally could.
Humidifier And Nasal Decongestant:
If the climate is dry, use a humidifier. It can help keep your nasal cavities from getting dry and to reduce down pressure in ears. You need to make sure that you clean humidifier regularly.
Take 1/2 teaspoon of non-iodized salt and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in one cup of hot sterilized water. Put few drop of this mixture in your nose. Once the solution drains, blow your nose. Do it at every hour.
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Are You Suffering From Sinusitis
Sinusitis occurs when there is inflammation in the tissue lining the sinuses . The inflammation prevents the sinuses from properly flushing out toxins and draining. This can cause an array of symptoms that you may be experiencing if you have sinusitis, including:
- Sinus pressure
- Coughing
- Sore throat
Sinus infections can put a strain on your life, work, and family. Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, in Dallas, TX, can determine if you are suffering from sinusitis or another condition. If suffering from a sinus infection while flying, you may experience severe sinus pressure and pain. We recommend avoiding air travel when possible if you have a sinus infection. By treating the root cause of your sinus pressure and pain, you can avoid a lifetime of painful flights.
Explore how balloon sinuplasty from Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers can serve as a long-term, minimally invasive solution to treat your recurrent or chronic sinusitis here.
However, if youâre suffering from sinus pressure and have not yet found a long-term solution, here are some tips to help you get through your upcoming flight.
An Important Function Of Sinus
- Allows voice resonance
- It helps in filtering and add moisture to air inhaled from nasal passages removing unwanted particles at the same time.
- Lighten weight from the skull.
The four paranasal sinuses, named accordingly to the bones where they are placed:
- Ethmoid: located in the upper part of the nose in the middle of the eyes.
- Frontal: triangular-shaped sinus, located in a bottom part of the forehead over eyes and eyebrows.
- Maxillary: largest among four, in cheekbones next to the nose.
- Sphenoid: located behind the eyes.
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Pressure In Ear: When To See A Doctor
If you have any of the symptoms below or suspect that something may be wrong, making an appointment with a doctor is the best course of action.
- prolonged feeling of pressure in ear
- pain, fever, dizziness, or bleeding from your ear
- theres a foreign object that cannot be removed using at-home first aid techniques
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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Treatment For A Throat Infection
You can treat many throats infections at home, but if your condition doesnt improve in 1-2 weeks, you should contact a physician. The common cause of throat infections, viral infections, usually only last five to seven days and dont require medical treatment. A course of antibiotics is usually prescribed by a physician if your throat infection is caused by a viral infection. Home treatment options include:
- Gargling with warm salt water
- Drinking plenty of warm fluids
- Avoiding allergens and irritants
- Reducing inflammation with ibuprofen or acetaminophen
What If You Have Conflicting Symptoms
Sometimes, it’s very difficult to pinpoint the exact condition we’re suffering from. Is it tension headache? Is it migraine? Is it vertigo? Why do I feel this sharp pain at the back of my head?
The reason for confusion is simple: we’re looking for a concrete answer where the answer is a spectrum of different things. Believe it or not, this is a very common experience today with people losing their connection with the known. After all, we’re in the time of great transformation.
Everything is interconnected in our bodies and every system influences another. In this web of physical and psychological distress, it’s easy to lose a sense of balance and sanity.
Following links may shine some light on your confusion:
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How To Do A Nasal Rinse
Nasal saline rinses are a good way to treat discomfort and congestion. They can help flush out mucus, debris, and irritants, and soothe nasal passages.
A neti pot can be used to do this. You fill a pot with a saline rinse that you can buy.
- Place the spout of the pot against one nostril.
- Tilt your head to the side.
- The saline will pour out of the lower nostrilthanks to gravity.
- Repeat steps with the other nostril.
Sinus Pain While Flying And How To Stop It
Not everyone loves flying, but everyone should be able to complete a flight without fighting severe sinus pressure and pain. That includes you. Does flying cause you sinus pain?
Letâs take a look at why youâre experiencing sinus pain and how to stop it. Weâll start by defining sinus pain to help you know what youâre dealing with.
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Why Does Sinus Pressure Lead To Ear Pain
Between your middle ears and throat, youll find a tiny passageway known as the Eustachian tube. This thoroughfare connects both these parts of your body and helps equalize pressure in your middle ear. When you yawn, sneeze, or swallow, this tube opens like a gas valve to release pressure.
However, when your sinuses are blocked, this can hinder the passage of air through the Eustachian tube. Its why you might find it hard to hear when you have a cold. Often, this can also result in a feeling of pain, pressure, or fullness in your ear space.
Its not just colds that can block or inflame this area and inhibit airflow. A range of issues such as allergies, sinusitis, and a deviated septum can have a similar effect. Its why, even when your cold passes, you may still experience ear pain.
At ENTFPSS, we have more than five decades of experience treating sinus pressure, and can help you find relief from your pain. Our otolaryngologists will assess you condition to determine the cause of the pain, creating a tailored treatment plan to address these underlying issues. We can also treat nose injuries, snoring/sleep apnea, breathing problems, nasal fractures, and many other complications.
How Do I Get Rid Of A Sinus Headache
To get rid of a sinus headache, you have to treat the underlying cause. But you can take steps to ease sinus pressure and pain at home:
- Apply a warm compress to painful areas of the face.
- Use a decongestant to reduce sinus swelling and allow mucus to drain.
- Try a saline nasal spray or drops to thin mucus.
- Use a vaporizer or inhale steam from a pan of boiled water. Warm, moist air may help relieve sinus congestion.
Sinus infection
Viruses, bacteria and sometimes fungi cause sinus infections. Viral infections often go away on their own. But if your infection is bacterial or fungal, you need antibiotics or antifungal medications. Your healthcare provider may also recommend other medications to ease discomfort, such as:
- Antihistamines to prevent allergy symptoms.
- Pain relievers to ease headache pain.
- Steroids to reduce inflammation.
Migraines with sinus symptoms
Sinus headaches that are actually migraines need a different type of treatment. The first step is to relieve your pain. You should know that frequently using over-the-counter medications when you have a headache can cause even more headaches .
Your provider may recommend prescription medication for migraine pain. You may also need a preventive medication that helps you have fewer migraine attacks.
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Chronic Ear Pain: Its Not All In Your Head Part I
Chronic ear pressure, pain, or discomfort can be extremely frustrating. This is especially true when there is no clear cause found by your doctor. Usually this will result in treatment for an ear infection inappropriately and unsuccessfully.
One of the most common causes of ear pressure is eustachian tube dysfunction . The middle ear is a closed-off space in the temporal bone behind the ear drum. It has a single air vent, the eustachian tube that acts more like a pop-off valve than a true open vent. The eustachian tube is typically in a closed position, however certain throat movements will cause it to open allow for the pressure to equalize.
Classic otitis media is due to a swelling of the eustachian tube that causes the ear pressure to never vent and never normalize. After a few hours or so the middle ear will actually fill with fluid drained from the tissues and then may become secondarily infected. This is a super-common problem and is the reason for ear tube placement in children and some adults. Basically the ear tube allows for the middle ear to stay permanently ventilated, effectively bypassing the faulty eustachian tube.