Why is Sinus Pressure in The Ears So Painful?
When experiencing pain and pressure in the ears caused by sinus congestion, there are many questions that may cross your mind. How do I make it go away? The cause of the pain in your ears is usually due to sinus pressure. This is because sinus congestion and stuffiness can affect the pressure in your ears. The pressure in your sinuses affects more than just your nose. It can also cause pain in your ears, dizziness, and the feeling that your ears feel stuffed up or clogged. The good news is, there are several remedies to bring you relief.
Here are some remedies for sinus pressure in the ears:
1. Over the counter decongestant
Nasal decongestants like nasal sprays, saline solutions, or tablets can help relieve sinus pressure and blockage. This helps to relieve clogged ears. If you use a decongestant, make sure to follow the directions on the medication.
2. Pain medication
Over-the-counter pain medication can also relieve pain associated with sinus pressure. Some medications to try for relief are Ibuprofen, Naproxen, or Acetaminophen. Speak with your physician or pharmacist for the best option for you.
3. Blowing your nose
By gently blowing your nose, it can help clear the sinus passages and bring quick relief. While blowing your nose, block one nostril, then change nostrils and repeat. This can help ease the pressure in the ears. Just don’t blow too hard or it may make you feel worse.
4. Saline Rinse
Nasal irrigation with a saline rinse helps relieve nasal congestion and ear pain by flushing out your nasal passages. There are several devices used for saline rinses including bulb syringes, squeeze bottles, Neti pot, and Navage Irrigation kits.
5. Steam
Try taking a steam treatment with a bowl of hot water and a towel. Put your face over the steaming bowl of water and drape the towel over your head. The towel keeps the steam in. The steam loosens mucus. Menthol, Eucalyptus oils, or Camphor can also be used in the water to assist in opening nasal passages. Steam from a hot shower can also help loosen mucus.
6. Hot Moist Washcloth on the face
By applying a moist warm washcloth to the face, it can provide relief to the sinus areas on your face and relieve pressure to the ears.
7. Drink Plenty of Fluids
Staying hydrated will keep your nasal mucus thin. Thin nasal mucus is easier to drain. Draining your nasal mucus will help relieve the sinus pain and pressure you are feeling in the ears.
8. Avoid fast movements and bending over
If you bend forward with your head down, it can make the pressure worse. When there is a build-up of pressure in the inner ear, fast movements such as standing up quickly or shaking your head can cause dizziness.
Bonus Tip for alleviating sinus pressure in the ears:
Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke, air travel.
Trying one or a combination of these remedies for sinus pressure in the ear should help bring you some relief. These simple sinus remedies can help alleviate the pain and pressure you experience in your ears. Just be aware that this could develop into a sinus infection.
If there is a persistent problem with sinus pressure in your ears, call(719) 867-7800tomake an appointment today with the ear nose, and throat doctor.
FAQs
Although sinusitis usually gets better on its own within 2-3 weeks, in some cases, it can be an ongoing problem, known as chronic sinusitis. An ENT specialist can help to provide a number of effective treatments for chronic sinusitis by getting to the root cause of the problem.
Can ENT relieve sinus pressure? ›
Although sinusitis usually gets better on its own within 2-3 weeks, in some cases, it can be an ongoing problem, known as chronic sinusitis. An ENT specialist can help to provide a number of effective treatments for chronic sinusitis by getting to the root cause of the problem.
What will ENT do for clogged ears? ›
For a chronically blocked ear or a more severe ear infection, an ENT surgeon may need to perform surgery. This type of surgery usually involves a small incision in the eardrum in order to drain any fluid that has built up and to equalize air pressure.
What is the ENT procedure for clearing sinuses? ›
What is endoscopic sinus surgery? Endoscopic sinus surgery is a procedure to remove blockages and treat other problems in the sinuses using an endoscope — a thin, rigid tube with a camera and a light. This type of surgery does not include cutting the skin because it is performed entirely through the nostrils.
Can an ENT relieve pressure in ears? ›
Even though ear pressure is most often tied to issues with the eustachian tube, you need to identify the underlying reasons why there are issues with the air pressure and flow within this tube. An experienced ENT can help you find the cause of your ear pressure, as well as specific treatments to reduce your symptoms.
What is the best antihistamine for clogged ears? ›
To additionally reduce the feeling of fullness in your ear, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about an antihistamine that includes a decongestant such as:
- cetirizine plus pseudoephedrine (Zyrtec-D)
- fexofenadine plus pseudoephedrine (Allegra-D)
- loratadine plus pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D)
There are a few different surgical options, including: Myringotomy. During this procedure, your surgeon makes a small incision in your eardrum to drain the fluid from your middle ear. In adults, the incisions usually stay open long enough for the swelling in your eustachian tubes to resolve.
What is the best decongestant for ears? ›
Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) and Sudafed (PE) are the most common oral decongestants. They work to relieve nasal and sinus congestion, which may help relieve discomfort in the ears. They generally start working within 15 to 30 minutes. Their effects last for around four to six hours.
How can I decongest my ears fast? ›
If your ears are plugged, try swallowing, yawning or chewing sugar-free gum to open your eustachian tubes. If this doesn't work, take a deep breath and try to blow out of your nose gently while pinching your nostrils closed and keeping your mouth shut. If you hear a popping noise, you know you have succeeded.
What makes ear pressure go away? ›
When pressure builds up in the ears, people can usually relieve it by yawning, chewing gum, or wiggling the jaw. If these do not help ears pop, a person may need a nasal spray or other medical treatment. From altitude changes to ear infections, there are many reasons why pressure may build up in the ears.
A doctor may even recommend that a patient use Flonase to soothe allergies and ease sinus pressure, thereby lessening pressure in the ears and possibly improving tinnitus short-term.
How to immediately relieve sinus pressure? ›
How to relieve sinus pressure
- Sinus rinse. Whether the pressure is due to a sinus infection, allergies or something else, Dr. Takashima recommends starting with a saline rinse kit. ...
- Keep your head elevated. ...
- Warm compress. ...
- Drink plenty of water. ...
- Try a decongestant. ...
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. ...
- Sinus massage.
SALINE SPRAYS. You can use saline washings numerous times (3-5x) each day until your ears have popped and feel normal. Point the spray in all different directions in your nose and then, blow it out.
What can an ENT specialist do for sinusitis? ›
For chronic sinusitis, surgery is an option when the symptoms cannot be controlled with medications and other treatments. The most common type of surgery for the sinuses is called endoscopic sinus surgery; a pencil-sized scope (endoscope) is used to see inside the nose and sinuses and guide the surgery.
Can an ENT clean out your sinuses? ›
If you have a blockage in your sinus cavity, such as a polyp or scar tissue, the blockage can be removed using a method called endoscopy. The ENT will insert a thin endoscope with a tiny camera into your nose to identify the blockage and guide other instruments to gently remove them.
When should I see an ENT for sinus problems? ›
If you're having trouble breathing, feel congested, have a runny nose or postnasal drip, or if you experience frequent headaches, these allergy-type symptoms may be a larger sinus issue. An appointment with an ENT or sinus doctor will help find the root cause of your symptoms.
Can an ENT drain your sinuses in the office? ›
Balloon Sinuplasty is a procedure that similarly opens the obstructed sinuses, but it can be done in the office setting under local anesthesia.
