Sinus Pressure Symptoms

Sinuses are air cavities located in the skull, forehead, nose, cheeks, eyes, etc. Sinuses have mucus lining, which cleans the air passages. Healthy sinuses are sterile with no bacteria or other micro organisms present in them. Whenever, one or more sinuses get inflamed, it results in sinusitis or sinus infection. The inflammation causes the blockage of mucus in sinuses, which leads to infection. This infection is responsible for the various sinus pressure symptoms.

Sinus Pressure Causes

The openings through which sinuses enter nose are called ostia. Inflammation occurs when these ostia become blocked with mucus. This blocked mucus serves as a breeding environment for various types of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other micro organisms. Cold and flu infections also cause swelling of sinuses, which blocks the mucus membranes. Some allergens such as mold, pollen and pollutants also cause sinus infection. If air is trapped along with the mucus, it exerts a lot of pressure and pain, which leads to sinus attack.

Symptoms

Symptoms of sinus pressure vary according to the underlying cause and also the individual health of the affected person. Most of the symptoms are similar to common cold, except that they persist for longer than 2 weeks and also do not respond to the cold treatment. Pain in the region of the affected sinus is the major symptom of sinus pressure. Besides, other symptoms depending upon the location of the sinuses are as follows.

Maxillary Sinuses
When the maxillary sinuses are affected, it results in pain in the upper jaw (maxilla) and teeth. Moreover, cheeks become tender and hurt upon touching.

Frontal Sinuses
Frontal sinuses are located in the forehead region. When frontal sinuses get blocked, pain is induced in the forehead, which gets aggravated when touched. Also, eyes become sensitive to light.

Sphenoid Sinuses
Although rare, blockage of sphenoid sinuses can cause ear aches and neck pain. Sometimes, these symptoms may be accompanied with deep pain inside the head.

Ethmoid Sinuses
Ethmoid sinuses are located in between the eyes, near the tear glands. Inflammation of ethmoid sinuses leads to swelling of eye lids, pain in eyes and loss of smell.

Common Symptoms

• Cold symptoms that do not go away easily
• Persistent colds and coughs
• Headache upon waking in the morning
• A low fever between 99°F and 100°F
• Weakness or fatigue
• Bouts of coughing mostly at night
• A runny nose (rhinitis)
• Nasal congestion
• Halitosis
• Swollen eye lids
• Post nasal drip
• Blocked or stuffy nose
• Congested feeling and pressure in the region of the affected sinus
• Facial pain or swelling
• Persistent headaches with mild fever
• Hoarseness of voice
• A reduced sense of smell
• Fullness in the ears

Severe Symptoms

• Respiratory problems
• Asthma like symptoms
• Vomiting
• Pus in the nasal cavities

There are certain factors which increase the likelihood of acquiring sinus pressure symptoms. These include smoking, dental jobs such as root canal or tooth extraction, deviated septum, nasal bone spur, water sports, etc. Also, diseases such as GERD, cystic fibrosis, Kartagener syndrome or immotile cilia syndrome increase the risks. Moreover, people with weakened immune system such as AIDS patients or those undergoing cancer treatments are more susceptible.

Sinus pressure symptoms can be relieved with the help of nasal sprays, steam, inhalers, etc. However, all these remedies allow only temporary relief. Some homeopathic remedies are considered effective in treating sinus pressure with long-lasting effects.