How Do You Get Rid of Sinus Pressure? We Answer Your Sinus FAQs

The pain, facial pressure and congestion of sinus pressure and 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. 

But those 7-10 days can make you miserable.

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.

We’ll take a look at the causes of sinus pressure and infections, how to relieve sinus pressure, and answer some of your most frequently asked questions. 

What causes sinus pressure?

The throbbing pain you feel when bending over when you have a sinus infection is caused by a buildup of fluid around the sinus cavities. Inflammation blocks the narrow sinus passages, making it difficult for fluid to drain. As a result, bacteria or viruses develop and cause an infection.

What are five ways to relieve sinus pressure?

Some of the most effective home remedies include:

1. A WARM COMPRESS

Putting a warm compress on your forehead and over your nose helps open the sinus passages to reduce the swelling.

2. SALINE NOSE SPRAY

A nose spray or nasal irrigation helps wash away germs and allergens that are causing swelling. The saline acts as a humidifier and helps sinus mucus move so it can drain.

3. STEAM FROM A HOT SHOWER OR A BOWL OF HOT WATER

By inhaling steam, you can reduce swelling, which in turn will alleviate pressure.

4. A HUMIDIFIER OR VAPORIZER

Keeping your environment moist can help your sinus passages open. Be sure to keep your humidifier or vaporizer clean.

5. OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS

A variety of OTC medications can help relieve the discomfort associated with sinus pressure, particularly acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen; however, be sure you check to ensure that they won’t react with any prescription medicines or natural remedies that you may be taking. Be sure to follow the dosing instructions carefully.

While decongestants like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine may help with congestion, you should always check with one of our providers or your pharmacist to be sure these are safe to take with any medications or herbal remedies you are currently taking.

It’s important to realize that certain medications like Afrin may cause immediate relief, but can actually cause “rebound” stuffiness, so it’s best to limit your use of this OTC medication.

What causes a sinus infection?

Sinusitis (or a sinus infection)  is typically caused by a virus. When the sinuses are irritated, they swell, trapping fluid within the sinus cavity. This creates a perfect breeding ground for germs.

A sinus infection can be also caused by several different things including:

• Seasonal allergies
• A deviated septum: The septum is the part of the nose that divides it into right and left nostrils. Some people have crooked or deviated septums, which makes them more susceptible to sinus infections.
• Nasal polyps
• Respiratory tract infections

Sinus infections may be acute (lasting for a shorter period of time) or chronic (recurring for several months).

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if you have a sinus infection or allergy problems.  

What are the symptoms of a sinus infection?

Common signs of a sinus infection include:

• Facial pain
• Headaches 
• Congestion and a runny nose
• Sore throat
• Post nasal drip
• Coughing
• Exhaustion
• Bad breath

What is the long-term relief for sinus infections?

Sinus infections are primarily caused by allergies. The most common allergens are pollen, dust mites and pet dander. Those with repeated sinus infections may have chronic sinusitis, which means long-term solutions may be a better option.

Immunotherapy can help. These allergy shots enable your body to decrease sensitivity to common allergens. The Raleigh sinus doctors at Raleigh Adult Medicine specialize in helping patients with chronic allergy and sinus problems. While immunotherapy is effective, the treatment can take as long as one year to achieve noticeable results and maintenance treatment will likely be needed.

To find out if you’re a candidate for immunotherapy, schedule an appointment with one of our internal medicine doctors. We would welcome the opportunity to serve you. 

How Does Nasal Irrigation Help Alleviate Sinus Pressure?

The Raleigh-Durham area frequently makes headlines as one of the best places to live in the U.S. However, it’s not all a bed of roses — chronic sinusitis and seasonal allergy problems are some of the unfortunate byproducts of Carolina living.

The good news is there are several home remedies, such as nasal irrigation, that can relieve sinus pressure and help eliminate sinusitis symptoms.

How does nasal irrigation help your sinuses?

Nasal irrigation helps relieve sinus congestion. It reduces inflammation, which is one of the main causes of blocked sinuses. These blocked sinuses allow mucus build up that creates a perfect environment for bacteria and viruses to flourish. By clearing the sinuses of mucus, they can drain properly, providing relief. In addition, nasal irrigations can also help remove small allergens that contribute to sinusitis symptoms.

There are a few important things to consider when using a saline canister or neti pot to rinse your sinuses:

• Be sure to follow directions that came with the product.
• If you decide to make your own saline rinse, be sure to use sterile water. Failure to do so could introduce harmful bacteria into your nasal passages.
• If you use a neti pot, be sure to clean it with sterile, contaminant-free water.
• Do NOT use tap water for any nasal irrigation unless you have some way of sterilizing it.
• Replace your equipment. Just like you should replace your toothbrush periodically, you should likewise replace your nasal irrigation equipment.
• Using irrigation methods such as a neti pot can be frustrating at first. Be patient. It takes practice. Any of our internal medicine physicians will be glad to help.

Remember: No antibiotics unless absolutely necessary!

There’s one more important aspect to treating sinusitis, sinus pressure or other nasal problems. Most of these are caused by viruses, which have to “run their course.” If you are reasonably healthy, your body does a great job of fighting these viruses on its own.

In fact, 85 percent of sinus infections go away on their own after one-to-two weeks, according to information from Harvard Medical School.

Antibiotics should only be used for an infection, and only your Raleigh sinus doctor can accurately determine whether you have a bacterial infection or a virus. Overuse of antibiotics can create bacteria that are resistant to treatment. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, every year, two million Americans are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Of those two million, at least 23,000 people die.

How Do You Know if You Need Antibiotics?

Antibiotics may be needed if:

• There is a thick, colorful discharge coming from the nose.
• You’ve experienced facial pain for more than 10 days.
• Your condition improved but then got worse.
• You have facial tenderness (particularly around the nose or eyes).
• You have dental pain.

If your sinus problem is caused by a virus, you may be contagious. 

At Raleigh Adult Medicine, we’re dedicated to only using antibiotics when absolutely necessary.  If you have sinus problems, the following can help you feel better:

• Irrigate your nasal passages utilizing the information in this article
• Drink lots of water
• Get plenty of rest
• Apply a warm compress to your face
• Use a humidifier
• Breathe vapor from a bowl of hot water
• Take a hot shower
• Help your sinuses drain by sleeping with your head elevated

Whether or not your sinus infection is contagious depends upon its underlying cause. 

Our Raleigh internal medicine physicians are always available to answer any questions you may have. Ask us about sinus relief, including which nasal irrigation system is the right choice for you.

When Should You See a Doctor About Sinus Pressure or Sinus Problems?

Spring and autumn are meant to be celebrated. But for millions of Americans, these seasons spell misery, resulting in chronic allergy problems, colds and even the possibility of a sinus infection.

If allergies plague you throughout the year, it’s time to do something about it.

When is it time to visit the doctor? Any time you’re having problems with your sinuses that are affecting your day-to-day life. We want to create an individual treatment plan to provide relief—particularly if medication isn’t making the situation much better.

When You Should Schedule an Appointment with Our Internal Medicine Physicians in Raleigh?

A visit to the doctor is particularly important if:

• You have chronic sinus problems throughout the year.
• Your sinus issues keep you from doing the things that you enjoy.
• You develop frequent sinus infections that require antibiotic treatment.
• You’ve found that over-the-counter medication doesn’t relieve your symptoms.

What is the difference between a chronic and an acute sinus infection?

While the signs and symptoms of both chronic and acute sinusitis are very similar, chronic sinus infections last for at least 12 weeks.

During chronic sinusitis, the nasal passages remain swollen and inflamed despite several treatment attempts or use of over-the-counter medication. Acute sinusitis is a temporary infection that is most likely associated with a cold or virus.

If you have a chronic sinus infection, it’s time to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors.

Why Are Our Internal Medicine Physicians in Raleigh the Best Choice for Sinus Infection Treatment?

Our physicians concentrate on the entire body, paying careful attention to how its systems interact. This gives our internists a deeply focused perspective on not only alleviating symptoms, but prescribing a form of treatment to help relieve your chronic allergies.

Often, treatment begins with determining if your chronic sinus problems are caused by allergies and if so, what substance is causing the irritation. In this case, allergy testing can provide vital information.

Allergies can be treated with prescription or over-the-counter medication. However, if you have chronic problems, you should consider immunotherapy, which is sometimes referred to as “allergy shots.”

You don’t have to be miserable with chronic allergies, sinus pressure and sinus infections. Schedule an appointment with us so we can treat your sinus problems and provide the relief you need.