What is Sinus Pain?
Sinus pain occurs when the cavities surrounding the nasal passages – sinuses – become swollen and inflamed. This restricts drainage and triggers mucus build up. It is usually known as acute sinusitis or acute rhinosinusitis.
With this problem, it can be hard to breathe thru the nose. The region surrounding the eyes as well as the face can seem swollen, and the individual can have a throbbing pain in the face or a headache.
Acute sinusitis mostly is caused by the common cold. Other triggers for sinus pain can include allergies, fungal infections as well as bacteria. The treatment for acute sinusitis or sinus pain depends on the cause but in the majority of cases, home remedies are able to control the pain. But chronic sinus pain may lead to infections that are serious and other complications.
Sinus Pain Symptoms
Symptoms of acute sinusitis or chronic sinus pain consist of:
- Nasal obstruction or congestion, causing problems breathing thru the nose
- Draining of a green or yellowish discharge that is thick down the back of the throat or from the nose
- Tenderness, pressure, swelling as well as pain around the cheeks, nose, forehead as well as eyes
- Reduction in the sense of taste and smell
- Achiness in the upper teeth or jaw area
- Cough that can worsen at night
- Pain in the ear
- Headache
- Bad breath
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Fatigue
If the symptoms are mild, use self-care but contact your primary care physician if you have any of these:
- Symptoms or signs that do not improve in a few days
- Symptoms that get worse
- History of recurrent sinus problems
- Persistent fever
Signs of a serious sinus infection include:
- Swelling and pain surrounding the area of the eyes
- Forehead that is swollen
- Confusion
- Stiff neck
- Severe headache
- Double vision or additional vision difficulties
- Problems with breathing
Sinus Pain Causes
When an individual has sinusitis or chronic sinus problems, the mucous linings of the sinuses, nose or throat become inflamed. The swelling obstructs the openings of the sinuses, preventing mucus from normally draining and this causes facial pain as well as other sinusitis symptoms.
Sinuses that are blocked develop an environment that is moist and this makes it very easy for infections to begin. Sinuses that are infected and cannot drain become filled with pus, which leads to symptoms for example yellow or greenish, thick discharge as well as other pain and indications of infection.
Acute sinusitis pain may be caused by:
- Infection from viruses – The majority of acute sinusitis cases are caused by the common cold.
- Infection from bacteria - When an upper respiratory tract infection stays longer than 7 to 10 days, it is most likely to be caused by an infection that is bacterial in nature rather than a viral infection.
- Infection from fungus – Individuals are at increased risk of infection from fungus if there are sinus abnormalities or weakened immunity system.
Some conditions may increase an individual’s risk of developing a sinus infection that causes sinusitis, or may increase the risk of getting sinusitis that is not caused by an underlying infection. These conditions include:
- Nasal tumors or polyps – These are tissue growths that can block the sinuses or nasal passages
- Allergies for instance hay fever – Inflammation which is triggered by allergies can block the sinuses.
- Nasal septum that is deviated – This is the wall between the nostrils which can be crooked causing blocked or restricted sinus passages.
- Infected or enlarged adenoids in children – Adenoids are located in the back upper part of the throat.
- Infection of teeth – A very slight number of cases of acute sinusitis or sinus pain can be caused by a tooth that is infected.
- Other problems – Difficulties from cystic fibrosis, GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease, as well as immunity system disorders can result in sinuses that are blocked or an increased trigger for infection.
Individuals can be at an increased risk of sinus pain or problems if they have:
- Hay fever or other problems with allergies that can affect the sinuses
- Nasal passage abnormalities, for instance nasal tumors or polyps as well as nasal passage deformities
- Medical problems such as GERD, cystic fibrosis or an immunity system problem such as HIV/AIDS
- Exposure on a regular basis to pollutants for instance cigarette smoke
Difficulties of sinus pain as well as sinusitis complications that are acute consist of:
- Flare-ups of asthma – Acute sinusitis may cause asthma to develop
- Sinusitis that is chronic – Sinusitis that is acute can be an eruption of a long time difficulty referred to medically as chronic sinusitis. This normally lasts for 12 weeks or more.
- Meningitis – Happens when infection extends to the brain lining.
- Problems with vision – When infection migrates to the socket of the eye, it may cause reduction in vision as well as total blindness. This medical emergency needs speedy management to prevent the possibility of permanent damage
- Infection of the ear – Acute sinusitis or sinus pain can happen along with an infection of the ear
Sinus Pain Treatment
The majority of cases of sinus pain or acute sinusitis do not require treatment due to the fact that they are triggered by viruses. Self-care remedies are normally the only management needed to hurry a cure as well as ease symptoms.
Management the physician can recommend to relieve pain and symptoms of sinusitis can include:
Nasal spray – saline
This is sprayed into the nose numerous times each day in order to rinse the passages of the nasal cavity.
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Nasal spray – Corticosteroids
These are nasal spray that help to treat or prevent inflammation. They include Flonase, Nasonex, Rhinocort Aqua, Nasacort AQ as well as Beconase AQ and Beclomethasone.
Decongestants
Drugs that are available “over the counter” or OTC as well as drugs that are prescribed by a medical professional can include tablets, nasal sprays and liquids. OTC oral decongestants include Sudafed, Actifed and Drixoral. Examples of nasal sprays are Neo-Synephrine and Afin. These generally are taken for only several days due to the fact that they may cause severe congestion or rebound congestion to return.
OTC pain relievers
These include aspirin, acetaminophen such as Tylenol or ibuprofen such as Motrin or Advil. Aspirin has been associated with Reye’s syndrome, so should be used cautiously when given to teenagers or children. Although aspirin has been approved for use in children older than 2 years of age, both teenagers and children who are recovering from flu-like symptoms or chickenpox should not be taking aspirin. Speak to your physician for further information.
Antibiotics
Usually are not necessary to treat acute sinusitis or sinus pain as they will not help with this problem if caused by fungal or viral infection. Most bacterial sinusitis will improve without antibiotics. Antibiotic management is normally needed only when there is a bacterial infection and if this infection is recurrent, severe or persistent.
Antibiotics that are prescribed to treat sinus problems triggered by bacteria consist of amoxicillin, doxycycline, or the mixture of drugs trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
If the physician does prescribe an antibiotic, it is vital to consume the total sequence of drugs. Normally, this means you take them for ten to fourteen days – even after the symptoms are released. If the medication is stopped to early, the symptoms can return.
Antifungal drugs
Although rare, sinusitis or sinus pain can be caused by a fungal infection that can be managed with an antifungal drug. The dosage of medication – as well as how long you need to take it – will depend on how severe the infection is and how fast the symptoms improve.
Immunotherapy
When allergies are causes that are triggering the sinusitis or sinus pain, allergy shots or immunotherapy helps to reduce the body’s reaction to precise allergens and can help to manage the symptoms.
Sinus Pain Remedies
These steps may help to relieve sinus pain as well as sinusitis symptoms:
Lots of rest
This aids the body in fighting infection and speeding recovery
Lots of fluids
Drink juice and water. This will dilute mucous excretions and encourage better drainage.
Steam sinus cavities
Breathe steam from hot water or a hot shower. This breathing the moist, warm air will help relieve pain and aid mucus drainage.
Rinse nasal passages
Using a squeeze bottle, or syringe bulb to rinse out nasal passages. This is referred to as nasal lavage and will help clear out the sinuses.
Elevate head when sleeping
This reduces congestion and aids sinus drainage.
