Do you often experience nasal congestion and sinus pressure? Sinus pressure results from blocked nasal passages. When your sinuses cannot drain properly, you may experience inflammation and pain in your head, nose, and face. These symptoms may be caused by colds, allergies, or the flu.
When you have a cold or allergies, the membranes lining your nasal passages become inflamed and irritated. This causes mucus to build up to flush out whatever causes the irritation, such as an allergen. These symptoms can make you feel miserable for days or even weeks. It’s best to treat the source of your problem as soon as possible.
Treating Nasal Congestion
Most cases of nasal congestion can be treated at home. While there are some over-the-counter treatments to help reduce symptoms, there are also many effective ways to treat nasal congestion without medications like using a humidifier or vaporizer. Dry air and sinuses increase sinus pressure and cause headaches and throbbing pain. Steam adds moisture to the air and helps to thin out the mucus that may have thickened over time.
Nasal saline sprays also reduce nasal congestion. Saline sprays contain salt that helps to increase moisture in your nose and reduce congestion. You can buy a nasal saline spray at your local drugstore or make your own. Just use baking soda, purified water, and iodine-free salt. It may also help to use a Neti pot to rinse out your sinuses.
If home treatments don’t soothe your symptoms, ask your allergist about decongestants to help reduce the swelling in your nasal passages. However, it’s important not to overuse decongestants. Nasal decongestant sprays should be used only for several days because they can lead to rebound nasal congestion. Be sure to discuss any medical conditions with your doctor or allergist before using these medications.
Treating Sinus Pressure
There are many causes of sinus pressure. That’s why at NY Allergy & Sinus Centers, we offer a CBCT scan to help diagnose sinus conditions. It combines specialized x-ray equipment with computer technology to generate 3-D images of your sinuses. When our specialists receive the images, they are able to quickly determine how to treat your sinus pressure.
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can ease the pain caused by sinus pressure. Ask your doctor which medication is best for you. If allergies are behind your recurring sinus pressure, we recommend treating them with allergy immunology. Allergy immunology or allergy shots treat the condition not just your symptoms. This treatment will make you feel better longer than antihistamines. Visit NY Allergy & Sinus Centers for a personalized treatment plan to treat your allergies and sinus pressure today!
When to Visit An Allergist or ENT Specialist
Nasal congestion and sinus pressure usually aren’t a cause for concern. However, you should visit an allergist or ENT specialist for sinus pressure that lasts for more than 7 days. If your symptoms are accompanied by phlegm or postnasal drip, you could have sinusitis. Visit NY Allergy & Sinus Centers for a quick diagnosis and same-day treatment. Treating your allergies will help reduce recurring nasal congestion and sinus pressure. Call (212) 686-6321 to schedule an appointment with our Board Certified Allergists.