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.
Is Heat Or Cold Better For Sinus Pressure
Heat is better for sinus pressure and opening up the sinuses. You will often feel better after taking a hot shower due to the steam and increased humidity. Steam helps open up blocked sinuses and clear out mucus. You can also use a warm compress or heating pad to open up the sinuses, relieve sinus pain and pressure, and ease swelling.
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Pressure And Pain Behind Eyes
Headaches are probably the most common reason for pain behind eyes. In cluster headaches, there may be pain behind right eye, left, or even both. Not surprisingly, the affected eye is often red, swollen, or tearing and accompanied by searing or piercing pain from behind it.
A true sinus headache we say true because many supposed sinus headaches are actually migraines is caused by obstructions, including seasonal allergies, that prevent the sinuses from draining. Mucus builds up inside the sinus, creating an inviting environment for bacteria and viruses. As the sinus swells, it puts direct pressure on the eye in front of it.
Pain on one side of the face and in one eye is also a hallmark of a migraine. Migraines are particularly debilitating because they can cause auras painful visual flashes and other disturbances as well as pain behind the eye and extreme light sensitivity. Many sufferers become nauseous for reasons not fully understood, vomiting often relieves head and eye pain.
Eyestrain can also cause pain behind the eyes. Undiagnosedmyopia forces the brain to compensate, leading to strained and pained eyes. Staring at a computer screen or TV for hours can overstimulate the brain and cause pain to the eyes.
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Sinusitis And Eye Pressure
Sinusitis, or a sinus infection, is when bacteria or viruses get into your sinus cavities, causing your sinuses to swell. Other symptoms include a stuffy or runny nose, mucus drainage, a cough, fever, fatigue, and ear pain. Sinusitis is often treated with antibiotics, but chronic sinusitis often needs additional treatment.
Chemical And Environmental Irritants
Many chemicals and products for cleaning, home repair, and more can irritate your nasal passages and sinuses. This can cause you to have dry sinuses, sore throat, dry nose, nosebleeds, or other symptoms similar to allergies. Some chemicals and products that can irritate your sinuses include:
- household cleaning products
- industrial irritants
- paint or varnish fumes
There are many ways you can treat dry sinuses at home to alleviate discomfort caused by seasonal allergies, irritation from chemicals, or drying from medications or dry air. To get relief, you can:
- place a humidifier in your bedroom at night to keep the air from getting too dry
- stop taking drying medications, such as antihistamines
- drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
- get some fresh air if the air in your house is stale or stagnant
- remove as many allergens and irritants from your environment as possible
- irrigate your sinuses with sterile saline using a neti pot or similar product
- use nasal spray to hydrate and lubricate your nasal passages and sinuses
- take a hot shower and inhale the steam
In some cases, your doctor might need to recommend treatment for your dry sinuses. Make an appointment with your doctor if you:
- have an autoimmune disorder like Sjögren syndrome
- are taking prescription medication that causes dry sinuses
- think you might have a sinus infection
Your doctor may:
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Treat Sinus Pain With Humidity
âDry, thick mucus in your nose and sinus passages can form crusts that block sinus drainage and trap viruses and other particles. Increasing humidity and getting more fluid into your body can help your mucus thin out and get moving again,â says Dr. Das. Some natural ways to get your sinuses draining and relieve sinus pressure include drinking plenty of fluids using a humidifier avoiding cold, dry air taking plenty of steamy showers and drinking a cup of hot tea or soup.
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Graves Disease And Eye Pressure
Graves disease is when an overactive thyroid gland makes the tissues, muscles, and fat behind your eyes swell. Not only can it cause pressure, but it can make your eye bulge from the socket and prevent it from moving. A visit to the doctor is strongly recommended if you are experiencing these symptoms.
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Why Do Patients Feel Pressure Inside Of The Eyes
Pressure inside of the eyes is part of a disease process called glaucoma. Glaucoma is when the pressure builds up in the eye and that causes gradual decline in the patients vision.
When patients have pressure in their eyes, its very rare that it would actually be pressure inside the eye. More typically that has to do with pressure around the eyes.
Let us explain.
The eyes are surrounded by a bony structure called the orbit, and surrounding the orbit is the sinuses. You have sinuses below your eyes and above your eyes. So when people feel pressure in their eyes, it is typically pressure in the sinuses surrounding the eyes.
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Serious Conditions That Cause Eye Floaters
Several eye conditions can lead to floaters aside from normal aging. First, infections and inflammation can both cause floaters. For example, pink eye can lead to floaters. While it may seem like a common bacterial or viral infection, that doesnt mean it cant be serious. Without proper treatment, infections and inflammation can be harmful to your eyes, causing lasting damage.
Hemorrhaging in the eye may also lead to the appearance of floaters. While many eye bleeds are caused by small broken blood vessels, which can be harmless, it can also be very serious. For instance, hyphema, a form of bleeding in the eye, requires prompt treatment to ensure that pressure doesnt build to dangerous levels.
At times, floaters may be a sign of retinal detachment. If the number of floaters increases quickly, that could indicate a retinal detachment in progress. If that occurs, or you see any of the other retinal detachment symptoms, you need to contact an eye doctor immediately. Left untreated, retinal detachments can cause significant permanent damage. With timely treatment, the damage may be reversible or, at least, minimized.
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However Some People Feel Sinus Pain In Their Back Teeth Instead
Lower jaw pain for 3 days, worse after lying down and feeling of fullness in ears. How to treat jaw pain from sinus infection. Research has shown that dentists, tending to orofacial pain, point to sinus infections as one of the leading local causes.one possible cause of your jaw pain could be sinusitis in the maxillary sinuses, found behind your cheeks and under your eyes.
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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:
- Specific foods, such as chocolate, red wine or strong cheese.
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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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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.
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Sleeping Pills Antidepressants & Parkinsons Medication
While sleeping pills, antidepressants, and Parkinsons medication might not seem like they have a lot in common, they all work by blocking signals between nerve cells. This can be helpful in treating insomnia, depression, anxiety, and neurological conditions like Parkinsons.
However, these types of medications can also block the signals that tell your eyes its time to produce more tears. If you are experiencing dry eye as a side effect of a medication, you can talk to your doctor about adjusting your dose. Your optometrist may also be able to recommend a dry eye therapy option like medicated eye drops to provide you with relief.
Irrigate To Relieve Sinus Pressure
âSalt 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,â 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.
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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.
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.
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What Is A Sinus Infection
A sinus infection, medically known as sinusitis or rhinosinusitis, occurs when your nasal cavities become infected, swollen, and inflamed. Fluid buildup in the sinuses can cause germs to grow, leading to a sinus infection.
Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus and often lasts even after other upper respiratory symptoms are gone. In some cases, bacteria or, rarely, fungus may cause a sinus infection.
Other conditions such as allergies, nasal polyps, and tooth infections can also contribute to sinus pain and symptoms.
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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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.
What To Do For Dry Nose And Sinuses
Having dry nasal and sinus passageways can lead to other problems. These may include feeling stuffed up as you breathe, thick mucus, and frequent bloody noses. Its important to maintain a proper amount of moisture in your nose and sinuses to keep them healthy.
This article explores the causes and symptoms of dry nose and sinuses. It will also explain the fastest ways to unblock and moisten them.
Verywell / Nez Riaz
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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.
Causes And Treatments Of Pressure Behind Your Eye
Pressure behind the eye can be an uncomfortable and worrisome situation. However, eye pressure is a common side effect of many conditions and is usually very easy to treat.
Several conditions can result in pressure behind the eye, so proper diagnosis is essential to seeking the appropriate course of treatment.
Heres a list of the most common causes for pressure behind the eyes, symptoms, and treatments.
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