Coping with Facial Pain and Pressure
There seems to be a lot of complaints about sinus headaches, sinus infections, and facial pain in the NJ area. Doctors are saying they are very busy these days with these being their most common diagnoses. I believe the weather has something to do with this. And I bet many folks who are suffering also suffer from allergies.
We have had higher than normal temperatures for extended periods of time. Someone told me they have flowers peaking through the ground in their garden already which will surely die off when the cold weather returns. In the meantime, I bet some of the allergens that plague folks are beginning to stir before their time.
Dry air can also irritate the nasal passages and sinuses. Depending on the type of heat a person has in their home, this can be an aggravating factor leading to their symptoms. And what about the heat in vehicles? If you often drive or sit in the front seat, chances are you have experienced air blowing in your face. If you have the air on high and sit close to the dash, you can irritate your sinus passages by the force of the air I have been told. I never gave that much thought but I have to say when I am driving with the air on high and hot, I do tend to get a little discomfort in my face.
How do you handle the pain and pressure you feel? Personally, I find using moist heat on my face helps. I did see a doctor and was put on antibiotics and antihistamines. It is very important to see a doctor if your symptoms become extremely painful and interfere with function or vision, etc. For instance, I had dizziness and visual changes with mine and it is believed to be caused from the pressure related to the congestion in the sinuses. And the treatment goal was to relieve the pressure quickly. This required the use of powerful antihistamines that at first made me fall asleep quickly. But they then had the opposite effect and I found myself wide awake all night for two nights in a row!!
I also found laying down was more comfortable than standing or sitting. So I rested with several pillows under my head until some of the pressure subsided. Sleep and rest are important when you are ill. The body needs to shift its energy to the processes that will lead to healing. Rest allows the body to focus and channel that energy so it can be more efficient at fighting.
Humidification may help you feel better and decrease the irritation often felt in the nasal passages. And while driving, keep the air from blowing directly on your face. Perhaps directing the air toward the feet, the door, or using the defrost will help decrease the force of the heat when it does hit you. You might also just keep the fan down on low as an option.
Tincture of time is probably the hardest to accept. Sometimes you have to ride it out and do the best you can until the meds take hold and you start feeling better. During this time, try to cut down on the demands on you if you can. Try to relax as much as possible. If you feel tired and the meds make you sleepy, go to bed and let them work. If your symptoms increase or change significantly, be sure to see your doctor for a followup.
Related Topics: Practical Tips For Allergy Relief, Pampering Your Nose
Technorati Tags: sinusheadaches, sinusinfections, allergies, humidifiers
We have had higher than normal temperatures for extended periods of time. Someone told me they have flowers peaking through the ground in their garden already which will surely die off when the cold weather returns. In the meantime, I bet some of the allergens that plague folks are beginning to stir before their time.
Dry air can also irritate the nasal passages and sinuses. Depending on the type of heat a person has in their home, this can be an aggravating factor leading to their symptoms. And what about the heat in vehicles? If you often drive or sit in the front seat, chances are you have experienced air blowing in your face. If you have the air on high and sit close to the dash, you can irritate your sinus passages by the force of the air I have been told. I never gave that much thought but I have to say when I am driving with the air on high and hot, I do tend to get a little discomfort in my face.
How do you handle the pain and pressure you feel? Personally, I find using moist heat on my face helps. I did see a doctor and was put on antibiotics and antihistamines. It is very important to see a doctor if your symptoms become extremely painful and interfere with function or vision, etc. For instance, I had dizziness and visual changes with mine and it is believed to be caused from the pressure related to the congestion in the sinuses. And the treatment goal was to relieve the pressure quickly. This required the use of powerful antihistamines that at first made me fall asleep quickly. But they then had the opposite effect and I found myself wide awake all night for two nights in a row!!
I also found laying down was more comfortable than standing or sitting. So I rested with several pillows under my head until some of the pressure subsided. Sleep and rest are important when you are ill. The body needs to shift its energy to the processes that will lead to healing. Rest allows the body to focus and channel that energy so it can be more efficient at fighting.
Humidification may help you feel better and decrease the irritation often felt in the nasal passages. And while driving, keep the air from blowing directly on your face. Perhaps directing the air toward the feet, the door, or using the defrost will help decrease the force of the heat when it does hit you. You might also just keep the fan down on low as an option.
Tincture of time is probably the hardest to accept. Sometimes you have to ride it out and do the best you can until the meds take hold and you start feeling better. During this time, try to cut down on the demands on you if you can. Try to relax as much as possible. If you feel tired and the meds make you sleepy, go to bed and let them work. If your symptoms increase or change significantly, be sure to see your doctor for a followup.
Related Topics: Practical Tips For Allergy Relief, Pampering Your Nose
Technorati Tags: sinusheadaches, sinusinfections, allergies, humidifiers
5 Comments:
this is her son lawrence,
i have the bi-polar and she does her job by finding places like these. i have alot of sinus presure what should i do? hope to see your reply.
lawrence
Hey, Lawrence, you might get a better response if you post on one of the message boards. Why not try the allergies support group at http://boards.webmd.com/webx?50@@.5987f3ff
Rushlight
My 10 year old daughter displays what looks like a tic and has displayed this for about a year now. We have had her checked for allergies and she got a clean bill of health from the allergist. I asked her what it feels like and she said it feels like pressure on either side of her nose and then she will tic and the pressure goes away for a minute or so and then it starts all over again. Can someone give me some insight on these symptoms? Thanks.
Oh, and she's tried both over the counter and perscription nose sprays and neither seem to work very well, Claritan doesn't seem to work either. Thanks,
Tom
i am looking for someone that could give me info partaining to pressure in the left side of the head and face-tests have been conducted and nothing looks wrong! it is not sinuses, high blood pressure. cat scans and mri have been done-all good! eye exams too! what could be the deal?
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