Though sinus pressure and dizziness might not seem overly threatening, they can actually be very disabling for those suffering from them. Among the chief causes of sinus pressure is an allergic reaction, such as that to dust or pet hair. Other conditions that can cause these troublesome symptoms include chronic conditions and sinus infections. In most cases, when you treat what causes the pressure, the pain is alleviated.
The human body has large cavities immediately behind the nose and eyes called sinuses. Their primary function is to prevent airborne particles from following oxygen into the lungs. To maintain cleanliness and remain supple, the sinuses are thinly coated with a layer of mucus. If the sinuses become irritated, such as by allergies or the common cold, they swell and overproduce mucus, increasing the familiar pressure all around the head.
Sinus pressure and dizziness are also commonly caused by sinus infections, the primary causes of which are bacteria and fungi in the air. Just like allergies, sinus infections can cause the sinuses to overproduce mucus and swell, creating sinus congestion and sinus pain. This can cause serious pressure in the inner ear, putting the person's equilibrium off-balance and causing vertigo, or dizziness. Similarly, nasal vestibulitis, a condition in which the nasal hair follicles become inflamed, can lead to sinus pressure.
While allergies are a common cause, conditions directly related to allergies are not always to blame. For example, people who suffer from certain nasal deformities are also susceptible to developing sinus pressure and dizziness. This may include a deviated septum or nasal polyps. When this is the cause, treatment for the sinus pain begins along with treatment for the nasal deformity. With the deformity treated, the sinus pressure and dizziness normally fix themselves.
Other conditions can disrupt the mucus flow within the sinus cavities, leading to much more serious pain. These chronic conditions include immunological disorders, cystic fibrosis, and asthma, among others. Similarly to those suffering from nasal deformities, people suffering from one of these chronic conditions are often relieved of their sinus congestion after dealing with what is causing it to begin with.
In the event that you experience sinus pressure and dizziness, it is recommended that you promptly see a doctor to prevent further problems from surfacing. Dizziness left untreated can lead to nausea, which in turn may lead to vomiting, which can lead to dehydration. Untreated sinus issues can lead to infections, and untreated infections can lead to hospitalization.
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StarJo
Post 4 |
@Perdido – Unfortunately, the most effective treatment is surgery. My aunt lived for many years with a deviated septum, and she tried every decongestant and antihistamine available. Nothing relieved her sinus pressure.
The pressure was so high inside her sinuses that she often felt lightheaded. Dizziness was dangerous for her, because she worked with heavy machinery.
She finally decided to have surgery to correct the problem. The surgeon repositioned her septum. She spent several weeks in recovery, breathing through her mouth with a bandage over her nose.
There was a lot of bruising, but it went away over time. She said that having this surgery was the best thing she ever did. It is such a relief for her to be able to breathe through her nose, and the pressure and dizziness are gone. |
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Perdido
Post 3 |
Does anyone here suffer from a deviated septum? My nose has always been slightly crooked since birth, and I think that this may be why I have so many sinus problems.
It is hard for me to breathe through my nose. I stay congested most of the time, and over-the-counter decongestants just don't work for me. There is constant pressure in my nose, I'm often dizzy, and I also have nosebleeds from time to time for no obvious reason.
I know I should probably see a doctor about it. Is there a treatment other than surgery that might work? I don't really have enough money saved up for something like this. |
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cloudel
Post 2 |
@Oceana – Since you tried taking antihistamines, I'm guessing that you suffer from allergies. So do I, and I am very familiar with the dizziness and sinus pressure that they can cause over time.
My problems started when I began letting my dogs sleep in the house at night. I seemed to have constant sinus pressure and mucus then, followed by dizzy spells.
My neighborhood is a dangerous place to leave animals outside at night, so putting them out was not something I considered. Instead, I began vacuuming twice a week and sweeping several times in between. I also dust more often and vacuum the pet beds once a week.
This rigorous cleaning schedule has helped relieve my allergies and reduce my sinus pain. I don't know if you know what is causing your sinus issues, but you might get some sinus pressure relief by keeping dust out of your home as much as possible. |
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Oceana
Post 1 |
I suffer from chronic sinus infections. Once my ear pressure increases, dizziness begins, and then I know it is time to see a doctor.
For months at a time, I would just tolerate the swollen sinuses, putting off going to a doctor as long as possible. I would take an antihistamine daily, in hopes that it would rid my nose of the excess mucus. However, the infection almost always traveled to my ears, where it caused itching and a pressure I couldn't relieve just by opening my mouth wide.
I hate taking antibiotics so often, because I fear that the bacteria will eventually become resistant to them. However, there doesn't seem to be any other type of effective treatment for sinus infections. |
