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Can Sinus Infection Cause Ear Pressure

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How To Relieve Sinus Ear Pain

Ears 101 : How to Relieve Sinus Pressure in the Ear

Here are things to do to relieve sinus-related ear congestion

  • Use a nose decongestant
  • Use a nasal irrigation system or a nasal rinse
  • Use a humidifier, since dry air can infuriate the nasal passages
  • Avoid smoking and other irritants
  • Drink plenty of water, importantly in the evening times to thin the nasal mucus

Visit Dr Goldbergs Office For Professional Help Resolving Your Ent Issues

Whether you are concerned about ear congestion alone, or you have a number of lingering sinus/allergy symptoms, Dr. Joshua Goldberg is a uniquely qualified choice for your care. The Greater Philadelphia areas patient-preferred otolaryngologist, Dr. Goldberg combines his years of expertise with a compassionate, individualized treatment approach to offer the highest level of care. If you would like to arrange an appointment to discuss your treatment options with Dr. Goldberg, you can reach us at 215-659-8805.

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

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Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide

Food grade hydrogen peroxide can help you get rid of a buildup of ear wax quickly and effectively which can help you to unplug your ear. Hydrogen peroxide has an antiseptic effect that can help to prevent skin infections. According to doctors at WebMD, the bubbling action helps to bring up dirt and loosen it.5

Researchers from Harvard Medical School recommend using 3% hydrogen peroxide for ear wax removal.6

If you want to get rid of a congested ear using hydrogen peroxide, this is what you should do:

  • Put two drops of 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide in your clogged ear. Dont exceed that amount or you could damage your eardrum.
  • Wait until you hear a fizzing sound .
  • Let it fizz for few minutes until it stops.
  • Tilt your head to the side, so that the solution and ear wax can drip out.

Do this every time you need to unclog your ears from excess ear wax.

Hydrogen peroxide can also treat ear infections due to its antiseptic properties, and you can read more about in my article on how to use hydrogen peroxide for an ear infection.

For more ideas on how to use hydrogen peroxide read my post about 11 amazing uses for hydrogen peroxide.

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Untreated Sinus Infection Risks

treatment for sinus infection

Sinus infections often start to improve on their own after about 10 days. If your symptoms last longer without improving or if they worsen, a doctor may need to treat the underlying cause of the infection.

If a sinus infection affects a sinus cavity close to the brain, it can spread to the brain if left untreated. Though rare, an infection can also pass into the eye socket and cause vision changes or blindness. These types of infections are more common in kids.

While uncommon, a serious fungal sinus infection left untreated may pass into the bones.

Make an appointment with a doctor if you have severe symptoms, or if the following symptoms last longer than 10 days or keep coming back:

Because the cause of your sinus infection can affect your treatment options, its important to see a doctor for a diagnosis. The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if youre looking for a doctor.

If you believe you have chronic or recurring sinusitis, consider asking for a referral to an otolaryngologist, also known as an ear, nose, and throat specialist. You may need imaging and other tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.

An ENT specialist can take a culture of nose drainage to better understand the cause of an infection. The ENT specialist can also examine the sinuses more closely and look for any problem in the structure of the nasal passages that could lead to chronic sinus problems.

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How Can I Relieve My Symptoms

There are different appropriate remedies depending on what the cause is. When it has to do with sinus-related problems like the common cold, flu, allergies, sinusitis, or irritants , here are a few things you can do to treat it:

  • Take a nasal decongestant
  • Utilize a nasal rinse or nasal irrigation system
  • Use a humidifier, as dry air may irritate your nasal passageways
  • Avoid tobacco smoke along with other irritants
  • Drink plenty of water, especially in the evening, to thin your nasal mucus

With regards to fluid buildup, an afternoon of fun and sun at the pool or a quick shower can get water inside your ear, causing your ear to be congested. Try these methods to release the water from your ear:

  • Jiggle or tug on your ear lobe with your ear tilted toward your shoulder.
  • Lay down on your side with the clogged ear facing downward.
  • Apply hydrogen peroxide ear drops and proceed to lie with your ear facing down for a couple of minutes.
  • Lie on your side and apply a hot compress for 30 seconds, remove for a minute, then repeat four or five times.
  • Use over-the-counter ear drops that have alcohol to dry out the ear canal.
  • Using over-the-counter ear drops or an earwax removal kit.
  • Using an ear syringe with lukewarm water or a saline solution.

As for when you are traveling, you can avoid or alleviate airplane ear congestion by chewing gum or hard candy, swallowing, or yawning during takeoff and landing.

Can A Sinus Infection Affect Your Eye

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Can a Sinus Infection Affect Your Eye?

Absolutely! Sinusitis, otherwise called a sinus infection, occurs when pesky bacteria and viruses invade the sinus cavities located in the face. These spaces in the face can fill with mucous, and that mucous can become infected. Youll know when you have a sinus infection because the sinus cavities will be filled with fluids and youll feel pressure around them. Sinus Infections can affect your eyes in a few different ways.

One of the hallmark symptoms of a sinus infection is feeling pressure build up in your face. You may even feel pressure behind your eyes. Thats because, all the sinus areas Frontal, Ethmoid, Sphenoid, and Maxillary, sort of surround the eyes anatomically. The Ethmoid sinuses are located at the nose bridge and extend down the nose on each side of the nose, directly beside each eye. The Frontal sinus extends to the nose bridge above each eyebrow.

Our SmartDocMD online physicians currently offer diagnosis and sinus infection treatment online to anyone in the state of California. Our offices are based in the Bay Area but our service is available throughout the state. We are planning on expanding to other states, so check back for updates.

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Eye Signs And Symptoms

An infection in the sinuses can sometimes spread to the eye structures and cause a variety of signs and symptoms, depending on which tissues are involved. Profound swelling, typically affecting one eye, is a characteristic symptom. Eyelid swelling is often so severe that the affected eye can barely be opened. Other signs and symptoms that suggest eye-related complications of a sinus infection include:

  • Swelling of the white portion of the eye
  • Pus drainage from the involved eye
  • Redness of the eye and/or eyelid
  • Protrusion of the affected eyeball
  • Pain with eye movement
  • Inability to move the affected eyeball
  • An infection in the sinuses can sometimes spread to the eye structures and cause a variety of signs and symptoms, depending on which tissues are involved.

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How Do You Clear A Stuffy Nose

How to Relieve Ear Pressure from Sinus Infection

Here are ways you can clear nasal congestion:

  • Drink lots of water and clear fluids. Fluids help thin mucus and ease congestion.
  • Use a saline nasal spray or wash to flush out mucus.
  • Apply adhesive strips to your nose to open nasal passages.
  • Use humidifiers to moisten the air at your home and/or workplace.
  • Ask your healthcare provider to recommend over-the-counter medication that treats nasal congestion. Be sure they know about all medications you take so they can recommend medications that wont interact with your existing medications.
  • If nasal congestion keeps your baby from nursing or taking a bottle, use a nasal bulb syringe to clear mucus from their nose.

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So How Can You Treat Sinusitis

To have sinusitis is bad enough. To add tinnitus to the picture, makes it even more unpleasant.

Here are common things that you can do at home to treat your sinusitis

The main purpose of treatment should be aimed at improving the sinus drainage system and treating the infection.

1.Nasal Decongestant Sprays: These sprays contain Oxymetazoline or Phenylephrine. Their main purpose is to constrict the blood vessels. By doing this, they prevent congestion of fluid in the nasal cavities. The problem is that they cannot be used for longer than 5-7days.

The reason is that if it is used longer, they cause rebound nasal congestion. This simply means that it makes the congestion worse.

2. Oral Decongestants: These preparations e,g. Actifed helps to reduce congestion without having to cause the rebound side effects.

There are other side effects though and caution must be exercised in people who have high blood pressure.

3.Nasal Corticosteroid Sprays: Depending on the country that you reside in, certain nasal corticosteroid sprays can be bought over-the-counter at your local pharmacy. In my country, we sell Flonase.

The steroid sprays are great in a sense that they can be used longer that 5-7days.They help to reduce the inflammation of the mucous membranes. In fact, even in someone who is suffering from chronic sinusitis, can use the spray for a period of 6months or longer!!

Dosage on this is usually one puff daily into each nostril.

4. Anthistamines

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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Do You Need Antibiotics For A Sinus Infection

A viral sinus infection will likely resolve itself on its own, but it can take a few weeks to do so. If the sinus infection is caused by bacteria, it is likely to need antibiotics in order to resolve. But antibiotics arent a cure-all. They will not cure a sinus infection that was caused by a virus or an irritant in the air.

What Causes Ringing In The Ears

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Tinnitus is described as a ringing in the ears. It may be soft or loud, high pitched or low pitched. Millions of Americans experience tinnitus, making it one of the most common health conditions in the country. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that nearly 15% of the general public over 50 million Americans experience some form of tinnitus.

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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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Muffled Hearing In One Ear After A Cold

Even though some people have muffled hearing while sick with the common cold, it can also develop after a cold. This can happen when a cold progresses to a sinus infection or a middle ear infection. In this case, drainage or congestion from these secondary infections causes clogged ears.

Common treatment options for muffled hearing include:

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Tips To Prevent Sinus Infections

In order to avoid ear pain and temporary hearing loss due to clogged ears as a result of sinus infections one must prevent sinus infections. Here are some tips to help you prevent sinus infections and avoid the complications associated with it.

  • Control your allergies.
  • Keep hydrated, which keeps mucus thin.
  • Reduce alcohol consumption, which can worsen mucus.
  • Minimize exposure to people with cold or flu.
  • Always wash your hands and avoid germs.
  • Avoid chlorinated swimming pools.

How To Lower Your Heart Rate From Anxiety Or A Panic Attack

Sinus Pressure: The Fastest Way to Drain Your Sinuses
  • You can lower your heart rate from anxiety with regular exercise, deep breathing techniques, and mindfulness meditation.
  • Anixety can raise your heart rate over time and is associated with a higher risk of heart disease.
  • A panic attack often comes with a very high heart rate, and may even feel similar to a heart attack, so youll want to take these steps to lower your heart rate.
  • This article was medically reviewed by John Osborne, MD, PhD, and the Director of Cardiology for Dallas-based State of the Heart Cardiology.
  • This story is part of Insiders guide on Anxiety.

We all experience some level of anxiety and stress, but anxiety disorders are so overwhelming that it may affect daily life. An estimated 40 million US adults, or 19.1% of the population deal with a type of anxiety disorder.

From excessive fear and worry to a racing heart, pounding chest, and shortness of breath, the symptoms of anxiety can take a toll on your body especially your heart. With proper interventions, you can learn to regulate your heart rate and reduce the impact that anxiety has on your heart health. Heres how.

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Can Sinus Issues Cause Hearing Loss

When the sinuses become inflamed, either from infection or other nasal issues, they can affect your hearing too. Swollen sinuses cause the glands between your nose and eyes to create more mucus than usual, which can block nasal and sinus pathways from draining properly. Your sinuses and ear canal are very close together, so the blockage in your sinuses can cause the Eustachian tube to become inflamed and filled with fluid, leading to pressure on the eardrum. This inner ear pressure can lead to symptoms such as:

  • Mild hearing loss or muffled hearing
  • Vertigo or balance issues

If you are having difficulty hearing because of sinusitis, infection, or other sinus issues, sounds may sound muffled or distant, as if heard underwater or through a tunnel. Irregular pressure or inflammation can even affect your equilibrium causing issues with balance or walking.

How Is Smelly Earwax Treated

Episode 17 Swimming with ear infection, sinus home remedies and clogged ears.

Its important to not stick objects in your ear in an attempt to get rid of the wax. This includes cotton swabs and paper clips. Trying to dig out the problem can cause objects to lodge further into the ear. It can also seriously damage your eardrum or ear canal.

Home remedies will partly depend on the cause of your smelly earwax.

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Blockage Due To Foreign Object

You can do the following things at home as first aid for a foreign object in the ear:

  • if the object is visible, carefully use tweezers to gently remove it
  • tilt your head to the side to use gravity to remove the object
  • try to wash the object out using a small syringe with warm water to gently irrigate the ear canal

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How Can A Sinus Infection Cause An Ear Infection

How to Heal Ear Infections With Salt

Does a sinus infection cause an ear infection? Or is it the other way around? Actually, sinus and ear infections stem from the same root causes: viral infections and bacterial infections. Once an infection takes root in the sinuses, its easy for it to spread to the middle ear and cause an ear infection. Having these two infections at the same time means youve signed up for all the symptoms of a sinus infection, plus the additional symptoms of ear pain and/or clogged ears.

While these common causes can make diagnosing your ailment more difficult, they also make treating one infection akin to treating the other. Awareness of the common causes of sinus infections and ear infections, then, can make you less susceptible to getting both infections at once. Lets examine these causes now.

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