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Numbing In The Head, Pressure Behind Eyes, Stress. On Antibiotics. Is It Due To Sinusitis Or Stress?
Question: Hi. I have been feeling a strange sensation in my head for about 4 weeks now. It is almost like numbing/heaviness in the front of my head. Sometimes I feel a little pressure behind my eyes and ears, but not always. My doctor is treating it as if I have a sinus infection, but tomorrow will be the fourth day on medrol and antibiotics, and I still feel the same. Could it be something different? I did cry a lot for about a month and a half after my husband passed. Could it be stress related? Should I worry? Thanks.
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query. Your symptoms are suggestive of sinusitis which is an inflammation of the nasal sinuses hence producing sinus headaches and pressure behind the eyes. It is not related to stress. The best way to get rid of a stuffy nose is to use an over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant combined with an anti-inflammatory analgesic (pain reliever). But these are to be used for 5-7 days at a time.
You may also nasal sprays containing antihistaminics or corticosteroids but these are to be taken under prescription.
However the best treatment for stuffy nose is steam inhalation. Inhaling steam from a bowl of hot (but not boiling water) may help to soften, and loosen, the buildup of mucus in your nose. You may also find that adding some menthol crystals, or eucalyptus oil, to the water helps a lot.
Other than that, avoid eating indigestible, spicy, foods and meats and eat simple wholesome foods. Out-of-door exercise, sunbaths and swimming also help a lot. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. In addition, take like ibuprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) after consulting your general physician.
Sucking hard candies and ginger lemon tea and inhaling steam would also help in opening the sinus congestion.
Also consult your doctor as if you continue to resist treatment then you may need an x-ray or CT scan of the sinuses. As a last resort endoscopic sinus surgery may be an option.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks for posting your query. Your symptoms are suggestive of sinusitis which is an inflammation of the nasal sinuses hence producing sinus headaches and pressure behind the eyes. It is not related to stress. The best way to get rid of a stuffy nose is to use an over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant combined with an anti-inflammatory analgesic (pain reliever). But these are to be used for 5-7 days at a time.
You may also nasal sprays containing antihistaminics or corticosteroids but these are to be taken under prescription.
However the best treatment for stuffy nose is steam inhalation. Inhaling steam from a bowl of hot (but not boiling water) may help to soften, and loosen, the buildup of mucus in your nose. You may also find that adding some menthol crystals, or eucalyptus oil, to the water helps a lot.
Other than that, avoid eating indigestible, spicy, foods and meats and eat simple wholesome foods. Out-of-door exercise, sunbaths and swimming also help a lot. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. In addition, take like ibuprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) after consulting your general physician.
Sucking hard candies and ginger lemon tea and inhaling steam would also help in opening the sinus congestion.
Also consult your doctor as if you continue to resist treatment then you may need an x-ray or CT scan of the sinuses. As a last resort endoscopic sinus surgery may be an option.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Thanks for replying to my message.
I do have one question: I didn't have any sinus problems, or at least I didn't have any symptoms. I have not been congested or had secretions due to a cold or flu. I was wondering if crying for a long period of time (many hours a day, per a couple months) could have caused the problem.
Also, I started feeling the numbness/heaviness in my head when I went back to work and had to be outdoors in very cold temperatures I was not used to.
Like I said, I didn't have any cold or flu symptoms, but started having the problem after my first day of work.
So, do you think all the crying and the cold temperatures could have caused the sinus problem, even if I have no symptoms?
Thanks!
I do have one question: I didn't have any sinus problems, or at least I didn't have any symptoms. I have not been congested or had secretions due to a cold or flu. I was wondering if crying for a long period of time (many hours a day, per a couple months) could have caused the problem.
Also, I started feeling the numbness/heaviness in my head when I went back to work and had to be outdoors in very cold temperatures I was not used to.
Like I said, I didn't have any cold or flu symptoms, but started having the problem after my first day of work.
So, do you think all the crying and the cold temperatures could have caused the sinus problem, even if I have no symptoms?
Thanks!
Hello,
Thanks for writing back to me.
It is true that excessive crying and temperature changes like extreme cold can cause sinus congestion but this is due to vasomotor rhinitis or non allergic rhinitis which can cause sinus congestion. In this, non-allergic triggers such as smells, fumes, smoke, dusts, and temperature changes, cause rhinitis due to dilatation of the blood vessels of the nose.
The primary treatment is simply avoiding the things that trigger your symptoms.
In some cases, decongestants or a nasal spray containing an antihistamine or steroid as I have mentioned before may help.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Please accept my answer in case you have no follow up query.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Thanks for writing back to me.
It is true that excessive crying and temperature changes like extreme cold can cause sinus congestion but this is due to vasomotor rhinitis or non allergic rhinitis which can cause sinus congestion. In this, non-allergic triggers such as smells, fumes, smoke, dusts, and temperature changes, cause rhinitis due to dilatation of the blood vessels of the nose.
The primary treatment is simply avoiding the things that trigger your symptoms.
In some cases, decongestants or a nasal spray containing an antihistamine or steroid as I have mentioned before may help.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Please accept my answer in case you have no follow up query.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Jyoti Patil
Answered by
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