Where Can You Feel Sinus Pressure

Know The Limits Of Natural Sinus Pain Relief

You should not try to self-treat your sinus pain if you have symptoms such as as yellow or green mucus discharge persistent fever or stiff neck pain for more than 24 hours confusion, weakness, numbness, or tingling and persistent nausea or vomiting. These symptoms could be a sign of a significant infection in your sinuses that might need antibiotics. âUsing natural sinus pain relief is fine if you have mild chronic pain or a headache related to a common cold or an allergy, but if you have severe pain that is not responding to these techniques, you need to see your doctor,â advises Das.

Throat Irritation And Cough

As discharge from your sinuses drains down the back of your throat, it can cause irritation, especially over a long period of time. This can lead to a persistent and annoying cough, which can be worse when lying down to sleep or first thing in the morning after getting up from bed.

It can also make sleeping difficult. Sleeping upright or with your head elevated can help reduce the frequency and intensity of your coughing.

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:

• Computed tomography scan.
• Nasal endoscopy .

Don’t Miss: Do You Need An Antibiotic For Sinus Infection

Sinus Pressure May Also Be Known As

Solv has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

• Healthline. How to Relieve Sinus Pressure.
• Everyday Health. Natural Sinus Pain and Pressure Relief.
• National Library of Medicine. Common Cold.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu Symptoms.
• National Library of Medicine. Sinusitis.
• National Library of Medicine. Allergy.
• American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Fungal infections.

Find Urgent Care today

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.

Recommended Reading: Best Antibiotic For Sinus Infection And Ear Infection

Get Ahead Of Cold Symptoms

Though theres no promise youll escape cold and flu season without a runny nose or sore throat, there are some steps you can take to increase your chances of staying healthy.

• Wash your hands frequently to help prevent coming into contact with or spreading harmful germs.
• Disinfect your environment and frequently clean commonly touched surfaces such as sink handles, doorknobs and handrails.
• Avoid sharing personal items, especially those that come in contact with your eyes, nose or mouth like utensils, washcloths or cups.
• Do not come in close contact with people who have colds or other upper respiratory infections.

Overall, pursue a healthy lifestyle to boost immunity by eating nutritious food, sleeping eight hours, drinking water, exercising and managing stress.

Read Also: Can A Bladder Infection Stop Your Period

What Is Sinus Headache

A true sinus headache, called rhinosinusitis, is rare. The cause is a viral or bacterial sinus infection characterized by thick, discolored nasal discharge. Youll get symptoms like possibly weaker smell or no smell, facial pain or pressure and commonly, fever. Facial pain and headache should resolve within seven days after viral symptoms improve or after successful treatment with antibiotics . If pain continues, then your diagnosis should be reconsidered.

You May Like: Advil Cold And Sinus Dosage By Weight

Whats The Connection Between Sinus Infection And Toothache

Toothache or tooth pain from a sinus infection is actually fairly common. Your sinuses are air-filled pockets in the face there are four pairs, located near your eyes, forehead, and behind the cheekbones. When theyre working properly, their primary function is to produce mucus, which moistens the nose, protecting it from irritants and germs. When the sinuses become blocked, trapped germs can lead to infection.

Once infected, the blocked sinuses may swell and cause pressure in the face. A sinus infection can cause toothache because the swelling and build-up of mucus inside the sinuses may put pressure on nerves running to the roots of the teeth.

There are four pairs of what are called paranasal sinuses, or sinuses around the nose. They are the:

• Maxillary sinuses: located in the cheek,
• Ethmoid sinuses: located between the eyes, on each side of the nose,
• Frontal sinuses: located on either side of the forehead, and
• Sphenoid sinuses: located behind the ethmoid sinuses.

Generally, tooth pain associated with sinus infection is felt only in the top, rear teeth because the roots of these teeth and jawbone are closest to the maxillary sinuses. Although it can feel like a toothache, it is actually what doctors call referred pain, as the cause is not in the teeth themselves, but comes from the sinus pressure.

Diagnosing Acute Frontal Sinusitis

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and their duration to distinguish between a common cold and acute frontal sinusitis. Your doctor may lightly tap on your frontal sinuses to assess pain and tenderness.

You may also be referred to an ear, nose, and throat doctor . This specialist will check your nasal cavity for signs of polyps and inflammation. They may also take samples of your mucus to look for infection.

Other tests your doctor may use to diagnose acute frontal sinusitis include:

• nasal endoscopy to look inside your sinus and nasal cavities
• imaging tests with a CT scan or MRI

You May Like: How Does Sinus Pressure Make You Feel

How Does Sinusitis Make You Feel

Would like to hear some descriptions of what you feel like when you have sinusitis.

Do you get any brain fog? Are you fatigued? Any vision issues? Such as blurry vision?

Does anyone get vertigo or dizziness?

What kind of vertigo? Spinning? Like the usual vertigo? Or do you feel like youre on a boat? Swaying back and forth?

Happens to me but very infrequently, maybe once or twice a year. Feel very nauseous after

I have 5% pressure / headache pain left

but this dizziness still come back WHENEVER I LOOK DOWN. Its very annoying when cleaning dish and looking at phone

I get brain fog and also tired and my face hurts with loads of pressure

I also forgot to mention Ive been having anxiety type symptoms as well

Sore head, fake teeth pain. No appetite and nausea due to the post nasal drip which eventually causes me to vomit. Its awful.

So fatigued, my vision randomly turned blurry as hell, head hurts 24/7 light sensitivity, dizziness, cant concentrate on anything

Wake up with pressure and a headache in the front of my forehead. Pressure and my head hurts more when I bend over or move around. I can breath through my nose, its all behind my cheeks and forehead.

Yes, all of those things including ringing in mg ears. It sucks. Google sinus anatomy if you want to see how its all connected. I found it interesting that modern medicine still doesnt understand inconclusicely what function and purpose the sinuses serve!

How To Relieve Sinus Pressure With Steam

Steam is a natural remedy that you can use to relieve pain and pressure in your sinuses. In addition, steam helps to open up the nasal passages and soothe sinus congestion. Learn how to relieve sinus pressure with steam. This method is also very safe and easy to use, requiring only a pot of water and a towel or cloth.

For this remedy to work, you will need the following items:

To make steam: Mix 3 cups of water with two teaspoons of salt in a bowl. Place the mixture on the stovetop on medium heat, occasionally stirring until it comes to a boil.

Once boiling, take the pan away from the heat and cover it with a towel or cloth to prevent accidents.

Take your towel off the pan and let it cool for five minutes before approaching your nose to inhale it in a warm compress.

Recommended Reading: Medicine For Sinus Infection Prescription

How Long Do Sinus Headaches Last

Viruses cause most sinus infections. A viral sinus infection typically resolves on its own. Similar to how the common cold clears up by itself, your sinus headache should feel better within about a week. If it doesnt go away, see your healthcare provider. You may have a bacterial or fungal sinus infection that requires medication.

Why You Might Have A Sinus Headache

Healthy sinuses are basically empty cavities with just a thin layer of mucus. Sinuses that become inflamed produce mucus. This leads to congestion, which in turn causes facial pressure and pain. You might experience sinus pain in one or all four of the sinus locations. Many people suffering from congested sinuses sinusitis often have pain all over their face, regardless of which sinus is affected.

If your sinuses are causing you to have a headache, you are not alone. More than 35 million people in the United States suffer from pain resulting from sinus problems. Few people find significant relief from the medications prescribed by family care physicians- sometimes surgery is required. But normally the pressure you feel around your eyes, cheeks or forehead can be addressed in other ways. Of course, if matters get really bad, you need to see a doctor. In the meantime though, you might be able to obtain relief on your own. Here are some ways to do it.

Recommended Reading: Can I Take 2 Advil Cold And Sinus

Recommended Reading: Why Do I Keep Getting Recurring Sinus Infections

Invest In A Humidifier

Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which may help reduce inflammation and open up your nasal passages. For a humidifier to be the most effective, Abi Hachem says it should be placed as close as possible to you in the same room so it can deliver the humidity into your nasal cavity.

Its also important to keep your humidifier clean to prevent bacteria and fungi from building up in the tank and being released into the air, potentially causing lung problems. To clean your humidifier, follow the manufacturers instructions. The EPA recommends that you empty the tank and dry all surfaces of the humidifier every day.

Dont Miss: Advil Sinus Congestion And Pain Directions

Causes Of Chronic Sinusitis

As you’ve just learned, chronic sinusitis can cause both sinus pressure and sinus pain. Generally, sinusitis is frequently caused by a bacterial infection. However, sometimes, viruses and molds can cause it. If you have a weak immune system, you have a greater risk of developing a fungal or bacterial sinus infection.

Some individuals can also suffer from “allergic fungal sinus infection”, which afflicts those with allergies. A sinus cavity infection that’s near your brain can become fatal if you don’t receive treatment. It can spread to your brain, although this is rare.

Sinusitis might be due to a viral infection and can lead to nose inflammation. This inflammation, along with the reduced ability of your sinuses to drain, could also be caused by hay fever, or another allergic reaction. The inflammation leads to the:

• Increased fluid production and swelling

• The sinuses can’t drain effectively

• The reduced drainage causes sinus headache pain

Some specific and common causes and reasons for chronic sinusitis are:

Don’t Miss: Things To Help Sinus Drainage

Types Of Sinus Infections: Chronic Vs Acute

There are four types of sinus infections. These classifications depend on the length and frequency of the infection:

• Acute sinusitis.This type of sinus infection lasts only for a short time, defined by the American Academy of Otolaryngology as less than 4 weeks. This short-term infection is usually part of a cold or other respiratory illness. It may also be caused by a bacterial infection .
• Subacute sinusitis. A subacute sinus infection lasts between 4 and 12 weeks .
• Recurrent acute sinusitis. An acute sinus infection is considered recurrent if the infection returns four or more times within a year, with each infection lasting 7 days or more.
• Chronic sinusitis.Chronic sinus infections last for more than 12 weeks or continue to recur.

Many sinus infection symptoms are common in both acute and chronic forms. Seeing a doctor is the best way to learn if you have an infection, find the cause, and get treatment.

• nasal congestion

For cases of acute bacterial sinus infections, these symptoms last at least 10 days without improving, or they worsen within 10 days after seeming to improve. In this case, its important to talk with a doctor, such as a general practitioner or an ear, nose, and throat doctor , to get a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Learn more about the symptoms of a sinus infection below.

How Can You Treat Nasal Discharge

Your recommended treatment plan will depend on the underlying cause of your nasal discharge. In many cases, you can take steps to relieve your symptoms using simple home remedies. In some cases, your doctor may recommend medications or other treatments.

If a cold or flu is causing your nasal discharge, your treatment options may be limited. In most cases, your body will recover on its own. You should be sure to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Over-the-counter medications may help relieve some of your symptoms. If your flu symptoms are severe, your doctor might prescribe you an antiviral medication. This may reduce the time it takes for you to heal.

Read Also: Neti Pot Sinus Headache Relief

Key Differentiators Between Migraines And Sinus Headaches

So, how can you tell whats causing your headache? If youre struggling to identify whether your headache is a migraine or is caused by sinus pressure, the best thing you can do is to seek medical counsel.

However, the two clearest differences are the location of the headache and whether or not youre congested. If you experience the headache pain primarily on one side of your head, you may be more likely to have a migraine.

If youre not congested and have an extremely painful headache, you likely have a migraine. If you are congested and have an extremely painful headache, you may have either a migraine OR a sinus headache.

Another potential indicator is the color of your mucus. Is it clear? If so, you most likely have a migraine. Is it yellowish? If so, your headache is likely caused by sinus pressure.

To learn more about the differences between sinus headaches and migraines, check out our article: How Do I Know if I Have a Sinus Headache?

Sinus Pain Causes And Reasons

Sinus headache pain is frequently described as the sensation of increasing pressure overlying the blocked sinuses. This could be your frontal area or your maxillary . It could also be both. The area of your face in the impacted sinus can be reddened and tender to the touch. You might experience swelling. Your pain can get worse when you change the position of your head or when you first get out of bed due to the increased sinus cavities pressure.

• Inflamed sinuses. If the linings of your tubes or ducts connecting your sinuses to the back of your nose become inflamed, it could cause your sinuses to not drain normally and this can lead to a build-up of pressure within the blocked sinuses.

• Increased fluid and mucus secretion. You may also have an associated inflammation and swelling of the lining of your sinuses, leading to increased fluid and mucus secretion. This fluid and mucus increase together with the inability to drain properly increases pressure in your sinus cavity and can lead to sinus headache pain. Sinusitis can cause this inflammation of your sinuses.

You May Like: When To Get Antibiotics For Sinus Infection

Problem #: Your Sleeping Conditions

Imagine your bedroom and answer the following questions:

• Are your pets sleeping with you at night?
• Do you drink caffeine before bed?
• Do you drink alcohol before bed?
• Hows the air in your room is it dry?
• Do you go to bed dehydrated?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might have discovered a factor that is affecting your sinuses .

You May Like: How Often Take Advil Cold And Sinus

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.

Read Also: Sinus Pressure And Blurry Vision