Can Sinus Infection Make Your Head Feel Weird

How Do You Know If Youre Experiencing Sinus Pressure

Before we get into the weeds of answering the question, Can you have sinus pressure but no congestion? its important that we review the basics of sinus pressure.

A sinus headache is a symptom of built-up pressure in the sinus cavities typically causing maxillary sinus pain. This buildup occurs when your nasal passages mucus can no longer drain properly. In other words, sinus pressure and the sinus sinus headaches it causes are linked to congestion.Since pressure buildup can get intense, many people have confused sinus pressure for a migraine and vice versa. However, sinus pressure is typically accompanied with other symptoms and frequently occurs in tandem with certain conditions.

If youre experiencing any of the following situations, you may be feeling the effects of sinus pressure instead of a migriane:

• You are feeling throbbing around your eyes, forehead, and nose. You may also be feeling this throbbing in your cheeks, jaw, ears, teeth, or back of the head.
• You are currently suffering from allergies or have a sinus infection.
• You have thick mucus.
• You feel the majority of the pain in the morning.

Keep in mind that if you do have sinus pressure, this doesnt necessarily mean you have a sinus infection. Everyday, non-serious issues, including allergies and the common cold can lead to sinus pressure and sinus headaches.

If you are experiencing congestion, here are a few quick tips on how to get rid of sinus congestion.

Sinusitis Vertigo And Dizziness A Complication Of Sinus Infection

Written byEmily LunardoPublished onNovember 3, 2015

Sinusitis vertigo and dizziness are complications of a sinus infection. Caused by bacteria, a virus, or fungus, sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses. The sinuses are four hollow cavities in the human skull and are important parts of the immune system as they provide defense against infection. The sinuses are lined with mucous, which expels pollutants and bacteria from the body.

It is common for the infection that causes colds to also affect the sinuses and can contribute to dizziness. The dizziness is a result of fluid build-up in the ears that puts pressure on the eardrum and inner ear. This affects the vestibular labyrinth, which is intended to gauge balance, thus causing dizziness or vertigo. If dizziness is severe it can lead to nausea as well.

If a sinus infection leads to dizziness, it is due to a more serious bacterial infection, which requires treatment from a doctor. Dizziness is not a normal symptom of sinusitis and can lead to injury.

Pain Tenderness Or Pressure Around The Face

Some people believe that our sinuses are only in the nose. However, these sacs spread out around the entire nasal area and cover the space from the lower forehead all the way to the front of the cheekbones.

Because they cover a good portion of the face, you could feel pain all over this area. As mucus accumulates in the nasal passages, it may push on your nerves. As a result, you may feel tenderness, pressure, or heaviness in your face.

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Can Sinus Infections Lead To Ear Infections

Yes. A sinus infection can cause fluid to be trapped in the ear behind the eardrum. Bacteria and viruses can grow and can cause an ear infection. Its especially important to get to the doctor if youre feeling pain or pressure in the ear.

When you have a sinus issue, its important to understand that the nose and sinuses are a unit. This means you could be dealing with rhinosinusitis, which is inflammation of the nasal and sinus cavities. Sinusitis refers to an infection of the sinuses only.

There are many reasons why the nose and sinuses become inflamed it can be an anatomical issue or an infectious one. A former injury or birth defect, as well as sensitivities to allergens can cause some of the physiological impairments that lead to sinus issues.

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Sinus Infection And Dizziness Treatment

To treat a sinus infection, its important to understand the underlying cause. A sinus infection can often pass on its own without the need for treatment, however, if dizziness is a symptom, then treatment is warranted.

If the cause of a sinus infection is bacterial, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Over the counter decongestants can also be useful to ease symptoms and clear up breathing.

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What Are The Symptoms Of An Untreated Sinus Infection

Can Blocked Sinuses Cause Head Pressure

Sinus headaches are headaches that may feel like an infection in the sinuses . You may feel pressure around your eyes, cheeks and forehead. Perhaps your head throbs. However, many people who assume they have headaches from sinusitis, including many who have received such a diagnosis, actually have migraines.

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Are There Any Potential Long Term Effects Of Sinus Congestion And The Ears

If sinus congestion is not treated, the symptoms will continue to bother you, making you unnecessarily miserable by the day. Unless the root cause of the problem is taken care of, the ear pain will persist and may even develop into tinnitus and/or partial hearing impairment. It is very important to ensure the proper functioning of the Eustachian tubes for optimal hearing.

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.

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Can You Have A Sinus Infection For Years

Sinusitis symptoms that last for more than 12 weeks could be chronic sinusitis. In addition to frequent head colds, your risk for chronic sinusitis also goes up if you have allergies. Chronic sinusitis can be caused by an allergy, virus, fungus, or bacteria and can go on for months or even years, says Dr. Flores.

Discharge From The Nose Or In The Throat

The most noticeable symptom of a sinus infection is the presence of discharge from the nose. This sign is similar to what you would experience with a regular cold or seasonal flu. The mucus from your sinuses may also drip down the back of your throat .

The color of the discharge may help you identify whether youre experiencing a common cold or a sinus infection. The former will often cause nasal mucus that is watery and clear or cloudy. The latter often comes with mucus that has a green or yellow tint. The discoloration is not a product of the bacteria itself. Instead, it is a result of your immune system fighting the infection by increasing white blood cells.

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Sinus Pressure May Also Be Known As

• Sinus headache
• Sinus pain

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.

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When Professional Medical Help Becomes Necessary

Even though tingling in the head is not classified as a disorder, persistent symptoms of weird feelings in the head should not be ignored. Consulting a physician and getting your condition diagnosed is necessary to relieve the unusual sensations.

Seeking professional medical help for paresthesia becomes necessary in the following circumstances:

• It is becoming more frequent
• It changes its intensity or severity
• It is accompanied by pain
• It occurs on different sides of the head
• It lasts longer than normal
• It has started recently
• It turns into a severe headache

The expert and experienced doctors will run a variety of tests, including MRI, bloodwork, electromyography or electroencephalography, and, if necessary, a nerve biopsy. Combined with your medical history and physical exam, the physician figures out what is causing these weird feelings and suggests the most effective treatment that works best for your specific discomfort.

Occasional tingling in the head is not a cause for concern, but if this sensation persists and begins to affect your routine life with headaches and other severe symptoms, seek medical help immediately. It is best to get a doctors advice regarding diagnosis and treatment as some serious underlying conditions may be responsible for chronic tingling in the head. The pain management specialists at the Advanced Headache Center come up with the most positive solutions that provide relief and ensure you enjoy good health in the long run.

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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.

Common Surgeries For Chronic Sinusitis

If surgery is necessary, an ENT doctor will likely suggest an endoscopy or balloon sinuplasty. During an endoscopy, they’ll insert a thin and flexible tube in your nose so they can identify exactly where your sinuses are blocked and remove the scar tissue and polyps. Since there is no cutting of the skin, endoscopy often leads to a speedy recovery.

In the event an ENT doctor doesn’t have to remove anything from your sinuses, they may perform a balloon sinuplasty where they place a thin tube with a balloon in your nose. The balloon will inflate and relieve congestion while improving draining.

All information provided on this website is for information purposes only. Please see a healthcare professional for medical advice. If you are seeking this information in an emergency situation, please call 911 and seek emergency help.

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Where Is Sphenoid Sinus Pain Felt

The main symptom of sinusitis is a throbbing pain and pressure around the eyeball, which is made worse by bending forwards. Although the sphenoid sinuses are less frequently affected, infection in this area can cause earache, neck pain, or an ache behind the eyes, at the top of the head, or in the temples.

Can Treating My Chronic Sinusitis Clear My Brain Fog

• Sinus Surgery

Throughout the year, and especially during allergy season, people across the country suffer with their allergies and sinuses. Also called a sinus infection, sinusitis can be triggered by an allergy or the common cold. One with sinusitis usually presents with swollen and/or inflamed nasal passages, headaches, facial pain, and other like symptoms.In some severe cases, patients can experience sinusitis over a period of eight to twelve weeks throughout the year, classifying them as having chronic sinusitis. In fact, according to the CDC, around 11% of the US population suffer with chronic sinusitis. With such a prevalence, more research is being done to find connections to this disease with other ailments. For example, some chronic sinusitis sufferers have described a mysterious brain fog as a symptom of their disease. With this being a debilitating, yet also seemingly unrelated symptom, patients across the country are asking, Can treating my chronic sinusitis clear my brain fog? Lets dive into what the medical research is saying on the subject:

What is Chronic Sinusitis?

• Nasal polyps

• Pain, tenderness and swelling around the facial area
• Reduced sense of smell and taste
• Ear and upper jaw pain
• Cough
• Sore throat

Treatment Plans

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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 .

Other Remedies For Symptom Relief

Staying hydrated can help thin mucus to ease congestion.

Drinking hot liquids such as tea and broth may help relieve your symptoms. Breathing in moist air may also help relieve the discomfort that comes with nasal congestion. Try breathing in steam from the shower, a bowl of hot water, or a mug of tea.

If your voice is hoarse, rest it by avoiding yelling, whispering, and singing.

Placing a warm compress over the inflamed area can help reduce pressure and provide relief.

damages the natural protective elements of your nose, mouth, throat, and respiratory system.

If you smoke, consider quitting. Ask a doctor if you need help or are interested in quitting. Quitting may help prevent future episodes of both acute and chronic sinusitis.

Wash your hands frequently, especially during cold and flu seasons, to keep your sinuses from becoming irritated or infected by viruses or bacteria on your hands.

Using a humidifier during the cooler, dryer months may also help prevent sinus infections.

Talk with a doctor to see if allergies are causing your sinusitis. If youre allergic to something that causes persistent sinus symptoms, you will likely need to treat your allergies to relieve your sinus infection.

You may need to seek an allergy specialist to determine the cause of the allergy. The specialist may suggest:

• avoiding the allergen
• doing allergic immunotherapy

Keeping your allergies under control can help prevent repeated episodes of sinusitis.

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How Do I Know If My Headache Is Migraine Or Sinus Headache

So, how do you know if your headache is migraine and not sinus? Go beyond the nasal and sinus congestion and the facial pain and pressure look for a headache associated with the inability to function normally at work, school, home or social functions, nausea, sensitivity to light and triggers such as weather change, menstrual cycle, and stress . Significantly, it is commonly thought that weather change often causes sinus headache when weather change is a common trigger for migraine.

You can also ask yourself the following questions from the ID Migraine Questionnaire developed by Dr. Richard Lipton of Albert Einstein College of Medicine:

• In the past three months, how disabling are your headaches? Do they interfere with your ability to function?
• Do you ever feel nausea when you have a headache?
• Do you become sensitive to light while you have a headache?

If you answer yes to two of the above three criteria, migraine is likely 93% of the time. If you answer yes to all three, a migraine diagnosis is 98% likely.

The American Migraine Foundation is committed to improving the lives of those living with this debilitating disease. For more of the latest news and information on migraine, visit the AMF Resource Library. For help finding a healthcare provider, check out our Find a Doctor tool. Together, we are as relentless as migraine.

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What Are The Most Common Odd Head Sensations

When we talk about strange sensations in the head, each of us might refer to different experiences. Often, people describe the sensation as strange because its not exactly painful or comparable to the typical types of headaches that most of us are familiar with.

Among the weird head sensations might experience include:

• Head pressure as though youre underwater
• Feeling like your head is in a clamp
• Your head feels heavy
• Theres a tingling, pins-and-needles sensation
• Wave sensation
• Feeling like your head is full of cotton wool
• Your head feels spacey or puffy

If you feel any of these or anything similar, know that you are not alone. Many people also complain and wonder about these strange sensations. Now, what could they mean and when is it time for you to be alarmed?

Because we are surrounded by COVID-19 24/7 in the media, it is natural to think that your symptoms may be related to that. However, before jumping to conclusions, you should first consider that your symptoms may in fact be the result of other unrelated conditions, which we will now outline below:

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