Tips To Relieve Sinus Pressure

Is It A Sinus Headache Or Migraine

If you have sinus pain with no congestion, you may actually have a migraine. If you are congested and have an extremely painful headache, you may have either a migraine OR a sinus headache.

Migraines are more common, but sinus headaches do occur and can be just as painful. Thats why were explaining how to get rid of sinus pain.

How Sinus Pressure Builds

When irritation affects the nasal passages, the sinuses may increase their production of mucus. The nose is limited, though, in its capacity to hold the excess, so swelling develops in the nasal passageway. The resulting pressure can feel like tightness in the sinuses or like full-face tightness and pain. The pressure can also progress into a headache.

Five Ways To Relieve Sinus Pressure

The pain, facial pressure and congestion of sinus infections affect more than 26.9 million Americans roughly 11 percent of adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Most sinus infections, also called sinusitis, do not need to be treated with antibiotics, and will usually go away within 7-10 days.

One of the most annoying symptoms is the sinus pressure around the eyes, head and cheeks. Fortunately, there are several home remedies and medications that can help provide relief.

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What Is The Fastest Way To Get Rid Of Sinusitis

When you have a sinus infection, you often have to go through your day in pain and in a fog. Sinusitis, or infection of the sinuses, is incredibly common, but many people suffer through it rather than get it treated. At Asthma Allergy Centre in Tigard, McMinnville, or Beaver, OR, we use a variety of sinus management treatments to reduce the inflammation and immune response that are likely behind your sinus problems. Check out on how to get rid of sinusitis.

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Why The Sinuses May Overproduce Mucus

It can be somewhat difficult to pinpoint what stimulates the production of too much mucus in the sinuses. There are several contributing factors. Often, though, it is an irritant in the environment to which you have been exposed for too long. What constitutes prolonged exposure is different for everyone. Also, what may not irritate one person may be incredibly offending to others.

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Hydrate Yourself To Relieve Out Sinus Pressure

Dehydration is one of the major causes of the sinus passages drying out and you feel an increased pressure in the face. Remember to drink at least 1.5-2 liters of water daily.

This will reduce blockages inside the sinuses. Make sure that you drink enough water throughout the day. Not only water, but you can also drink fluids through other food and beverages such as–Broth soups

What Causes Sinus Headaches

Sinus infections cause sinus headaches. Anything that makes mucus buildup in the sinuses can lead to a sinus infection, such as:

• The common cold is most often to blame.
• Seasonal allergies trigger mucus production.
• Nasal polyps, abnormal growths in the nose or sinuses. Nasal polyps can block mucus from draining.
• Deviated septum, which is when the line of cartilage and bone down the center of the nose isnt straight. A deviated septum can prevent mucus from properly draining.

Too much mucus gives germs an opportunity to grow. As germs build up, they irritate the sinuses. In response, sinus tissue swells, blocking the passage of mucus. Swollen, irritated sinuses filled with liquid make your face feel tender and achy.

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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.

Pain & Fever Medication*

Patients with sinus congestion can experience significant discomfort, including facial pressure, headaches, throat inflammation and pain in their upper teeth. Taking a medication that alleviates pain can offer relief from these symptoms. Since viral sinusitis can also cause a low-grade fever, taking an over-the-counter fever reducer can offer added relief.

One option is acetaminophen, which alleviates pain and fever. Another option is an NSAID .

NSAID medications include ibuprofen naproxen. NSAIDs relieve pain and fever, and they have the added benefit of reducing inflammation.

*It should be noted while these medications are safe for most patients, they are not indicated for everyone. Consult a medical provider to see what treatment options are safe for you.

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Optional Sinus Massage Tips

For any of the sinus massages you try, if you dont feel like your sinuses are clear, feel free to repeat the massages every hour or so. Additionally, try out these optional tips for an even more soothing, relaxing, and effective sinus massage.

• Place your hands on a heated-up microwavable hot pack or rub your hands together to warm them up a bit before massaging.
• Lay down and place a microwavable hot pack on your forehead or under the back of your neck while you give yourself the sinus massages.
• Add a drop of your favorite essential oils to your fingertips before massaging. Alternatively, try rubbing a drop of your favorite essential oil just below your nose for a calming effect. Menthol-based oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and spearmint work wonders for opening up your sinuses as their smell is a natural nasal decongestant.

How To Tell If You Have An Actual Sinus Infection

Even though we often say we have a sinus infection even if its just inflammation or an allergic response, there are symptoms of an actual infection that may be treatable with antibiotics. Nasal congestion and pain under the eyes or around the temples are, of course, main symptoms, but others include the loss of the sense of smell, green nasal discharge, mucus dripping down your throat, cough, fever, fatigue, sore throat, and even bad breath.

Sometimes, a sinus infection will clear up without intervention, but if you develop a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, have your symptoms for 10 or more days, notice that your symptoms are getting worse and are not improved by OTC medications, or you have multiple infections in a years time, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

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Other Causes Of Sinus Pain

If you have intense sinus pain and pressure that gets worse when you are diving, flying in an airplane, driving up a steep mountain, or participating in other activities that involve steep altitude changes, it could be a condition called sinus barotrauma.

Although the pain will usually subside when these activities are discontinued, sinus barotrauma is a sign of an underlying sinus problem that needs to be evaluated by an otolaryngologist, a healthcare provider that specializes in conditions of the ear, nose, and throat.

Sinus barotrauma can also be accompanied by ear barotrauma, which can cause a ruptured eardrum.

In rare cases, sinus pain that doesn’t respond to treatment could be a sign of a serious condition such as nasal cavity or paranasal sinus cancer.

Pressure Points To Drain Sinuses

In addition to manual massages, you can also access sinus pressure points using a technique called acupressure. This ancient healing technique originated in China and uses the same principles as acupuncture except you use your fingers to trigger the pressure points instead of needles.

Here are some pressure points to trigger to help relieve sinus pain and congestion. Simply press and gently massage these areas for several minutes or until you feel relief.

• Acupresssure Point BL2: Located where your eyebrow meets your nose, this pressure point can help relieve frontal headaches.
• Acupresssure Point GB20: Located at the back of your head where the skull meets neck muscles, this pressure point can relieve midline headaches.
• Acupresssure Point L3: Located on your foot between the tendons of your big toe and second toe, this pressure point can help with headaches.
• Acupresssure Point LI4: Located on your hand between the thumb and index finger, this pressure point can help relieve sinus congestion.
• Acupresssure Point LI 20: Located at the base of your nose, this pressure point can help relieve sinus pressure.
• Acupresssure Point SI18: Located where your cheekbones meet your nose, this pressure point can relieve sinus congestion.

While at-home remedies can provide relief from mild sinus infections and sinus-related congestion, you should see an otolaryngologist for more chronic symptoms. To learn more about what these specialists do, visit our blog on ENTs.

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Avoid Sinus Pain Triggers

âOne of the most important things to avoid is over-the-counter nasal decongestant sprays. They may give some fast relief, but after a few days they make sinus pressure and nasal congestion much worse,â warns Das. Some other things you can do to prevent sinus pain include avoiding alcohol, which can aggravate sinus pain and congestion cleaning yourhumidifier to avoid fungal allergies washing your bedding in hot water to decrease allergy exposure and avoiding swimming, diving, or flying when you have sinusitis, a common cold, or nasal allergy.

How To Relieve Sinus Pressure

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Sinus pressure

Many people experience sinus pressure from seasonal allergies or the common cold. Sinus pressure results from blocked nasal passages. When your sinuses cannot drain, you may experience inflammation and pain in your head, nose, and face.

Your sinuses are paired in two, and are found in four main areas of the face:

• frontal, in your forehead
• ethmoid, between your eyes and across your nose
• maxillary, in your cheeks

While some over-the-counter treatments can help reduce symptoms, there are also many effective natural remedies.

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Sinus Headache Relief: 10 Simple Ways To Soothe Your Sinus Headache

Many of us suffer from sinus problems now and then. For some, sinusitis can be a common occurrence. Those who suffer from sinus issues will know how uncomfortable it can get, having to bear with symptoms such as sinus headache and blocked ears. In this article, we look at some causes and symptoms of sinus headache, and cover 10 home remedies that might provide sinus headache relief.

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What You Can Do To Alleviate Sinus Pressure

In order to relieve the tightness of sinus pressure, you may first need to locate it. There are four sinus cavities, and you want to treat the correct one. These include:

• The frontal sinuses, located in the forehead.
• The ethmoid sinuses, located between the eyes and across the nose.
• The maxillary sinuses in the cheeks.
• The sphenoid sinuses behind the eyes, which can experience pain up the front of the head and down the back.

Once the location of the affected sinus cavity has been identified, you might reduce pain and pressure with one or more of the following:

• Massage. A gentle sinus massage may reduce swelling and help the excess mucus buildup drain.
• Cooling. A cold compress or ice pack can soothe pain from sinus pressure just as it can a strained muscle.
• Moisten the air. Studies show that sinus pressure decreases when a humidifier is used. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, so can work quickly to soothe irritated nasal passages.
• Elevate the head. Sinus pressure may make you want to lie down. However, mucus may build up more in a flat position. Keeping the head elevated may help the sinuses and nose drain.
• Drink water. Staying adequately hydrated is a must for those sinus headaches. It may also help thin the excess mucus so it drains more easily.
• Do a sinus rinse. A sinus rinse with saline and lukewarm water can be immediately soothing to inflamed sinuses and nasal passages. This should only be done using distilled water.

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What Does Sinus Pressure Feel Like

Pain or pressure is felt not just in your head, but anywhere in the sinus area. Where you feel pain depends on which sinuses are affected.

While pressure is most common behind and around the eyes, nose, and cheeks, it can extend forward to the teeth and backward to the back of the head. These areas will often be sensitive to touch.

Sometimes sinus headache can also give you a feeling of fatigue or aching in your top jaw. Redness and swelling of the cheeks, nose, or forehead can occur.

How To Give Yourself A Sinus Massage

If you have sinus pain, doing a sinus massage may help. Massaging your sinuses can help drain them and relieve pressure and pain.

Here’s how to do a general sinus massage:

You have different sinuses located in different parts of your face and neck: frontal sinuses, maxillary sinuses, and ethmoid/sphenoid sinuses. Each sinus can be targeted with these techniques.

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Sinus Pain And Pressure: Symptoms Risk Reduction And Sinus Relief

Your sinuses arent something you think much aboutuntil they start causing pain or building up with pressure.

Common sinus pain issues can feel like a throbbing headache caused by constant facial pressure. Sinus pressure occurs when bacteria and inflammation cause the sinuses to swell and fill with thick mucus or fluid.1 Effectively treating and understanding the causes of sinus pain and pressure can also help avoid future episodes.

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.

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Where Are The Sinuses

The sinuses are hollow spaces or cavities in the bones around the nose. Your sinuses make mucus or fluid. The mucus drains into your nasal cavity and down the back of your throat. This keeps your nose moist and gets rid of dust, allergens, and germs.

There are four pairs of sinuses connected to your nose:

• in the cheekbones on each side of your nose
• above your eyes near the forehead
• between the eyes and the bridge of your nose
• behind your eyes

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:

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What Causes Sinus Symptoms

If you find yourself frequently dealing with sinus pain and sinus pressure, finding the cause is an important step toward finding sinus relief. Any time the tissue in your nose and sinuses gets swollen and inflamed, it can lead to sinus problems. Here are a few sinus problem causes to consider:

• Temperature changes

Sinus Headache Or Migraine

About 80% of âsinus headachesâ 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.

If you have intense sinus pain and pressure that gets worse when you are diving, flying in an airplane, driving up a steep mountain, or participating in other activities that involve steep altitude changes, it could be a condition called sinus barotrauma.

Although the pain will usually subside when these activities are discontinued, sinus barotrauma is a sign of an underlying sinus problem that needs to be evaluated by an otolaryngologist, a healthcare provider that specializes in conditions of the ear, nose, and throat.

Sinus barotrauma can also be accompanied by ear barotrauma, which can cause a ruptured eardrum.

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General Sinus Face Massage

To start, place your four fingers on each of your temples and gently massage in a circular motion. If you feel a tense spot, hold and breathe for several seconds. You can continue along parts of your forehead and hairline.

Next, take your thumb and index finger and place them on your eyebrow closest to your nose while gently pinching down. Hold this position for several seconds. Slowly work your way across the eyebrow toward your ear.

Then take four fingers and place them on the inside of your cheekbone near the bottom of your nose. Gently press and drag your fingers outward. Repeat several times.

As you finish toward the outside of your ear, gently massage the temporomandibular joint , which connects the lower jaw to the skull. If you cant find it, open your mouth and you should be able to feel it protrude out.

Finally, make a V with your fingers by separating your middle and index fingers from your ring and pinky fingers. Bring your fingers to your ear and slowly massage this area in an upward and downward motion.