If you’ve ever dealt with sinus pressure, you know how uncomfortable it can be. But when that pressure starts affecting your ears, it can raise new concerns. Sinus pressure and ear pain often go hand in hand, but what exactly causes this connection? In this blog, we’ll explore how sinus issues can lead to discomfort, the symptoms to watch for, and when it might be time to seek medical attention.
For same-day sinus or ear pain treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Clark. Our board-certified medical team is available 7 days a week to provide the highest quality of care for patients in Clark, NJ. Just walk-in today!
Sinus Pressure: Causes and Relation To Ear Pain?
What actually results in sinus pressure is the swelling of the lining of the nose, causing an overproduction of mucus. This then makes clogging possible, and causes the pressure on the sinuses, the air sacs located in the nose and ears. This pressure of the mucus causes pain in the sinuses and, as the sinuses of the nose and the ear are linked, this pressure will also travel to the ear, resulting in earaches. The primary conditions and diseases responsible for sinus pressure include the flu, common cold, allergies, sinus infections, ear infections, exposure to toxic chemicals and environmental pollutants, and visiting high-altitude environments.
Signs and symptoms of sinus Infections and pressure include:
- Post-nasal drip
- Runny nose
- Nasal Congestion
- Frequent coughing
- Bad breath
- Headache
- Pain around the eye, jaws, teeth, and ear
- Pain on the bridge of the nose
How To Treat Sinus Pressure and Ear Pain.
1. Elevate Your Head When Sleeping
You can relieve the earaches that are triggered by sinus pressure by keeping the head raised, especially during sleep and rest. This’ll drain the fluid from the sinus more comfortably, reducing the pressure on it. You can accomplish this during sleep by supporting your head high up with a number of pillows.
2. Use Steam Inhalation
Steam is also excellent at relaxing the linings of the mucus membrane so that the mucus can drain out much more freely, relieving the pressure on the sinus. You can do this at home by heating up water and inhaling the steam generated. Alternatively, you can use a hot, clean towel, placed over your face to help free up your nostrils.
3. Nasal Decongestants
Using decongestants is a surefire way to get rid of the ear pain because it helps reduce the smarting in the nose, reducing the gathering of mucus and thereby preventing the pressure on the sinus. You can also use other methods to decongest the nose by using saline solution to clear out the nasal passages. This combined with some vapour rub and some cold compress will have your nose feeling the freest it has been in a while.
4. Improve Your Hydration
Staying hydrated is very important for relieving the sinuses because it helps thin out the mucus around the sinuses, and sustains the immunity, allowing it to fight off any further infections that’ll further aggravate the situation and cause even greater aches in the ear.
5. Massaging Sensitive Spots.
There are certain points at which the sinus pressure is often concentrated, and you can feel them from the heaviness or pain of the spot. You can reduce the ear pain and help drain the sinus, thereby relieving the pressure, by soothingly massaging these spots. These spots are the bridge of the nose, the temple, the eyebrows and the surroundings of the eye, the jawbone, and the spot beside your ears.
6. Avoid Allergens and Keep Yourself Clean
Keeping yourself free from allergens is especially important during this season, because you don't know what you might have picked up from people and surfaces outside. You’ve also got to keep your home free of pet dander and mold to avoid chronic sinusitis.
When sinus pressure is not quickly relieved, the earache can transform into a full blown ear infection which could lead to hearing loss. So to avoid such a situation, once you have a hard to drain sinus or sinus pressure that lasts more than a week, then you should go to an urgent care center.
Get Walk-In Sinus & Ear Pain Relief at AFC Urgent Care Clark
Sinus pressure can absolutely cause ear pain, due to the close connection between your sinuses and ear canals. While mild symptoms may clear up with rest, hydration, and OTC remedies, persistent or severe ear pain could point to a sinus infection or another underlying issue. If your discomfort isn’t improving, come visit us at AFC Urgent Care Clark. Our urgent care center is conveniently located at 77 Central Avenue, Unit 5 in Clark, NJ. We’re open seven days a week and appointments are never required. Our facility accepts most health insurance plans and offers cost-effective options for self-paying patients. If you have any additional questions about the services we provide, please contact us directly at (732) 301-5114.
