Vertigo is NO fun at all. It’s like being on a nightmarish ride you didn’t ask to go on, and one you can’t get off of.
Sinusitis is usually blamed for vertigo, but inflammation of the para nasal sinuses, due to infection, allergy or a result of autoimmune diseases is NOT the only cause.
Most of the cases of sinusitis are caused, due to viral infection and take about 10 days to heal completely. Depending on the duration, sinusitis can either be acute, sub-acute or chronic.
The interconnected cavities or small air pockets in the facial structure are known as sinuses. These air pockets are found around the nose, the forehead and cheeks.
There are four pairs of sinuses, and are lined inside the cavities and have a protective mucous membrane. So much of the information about vertigo is linked to a sinus “infection.”
Light-Headness and Sinus Pressure Vertigo
Allergies are the most common cause of sinusitis, which further leads to pressure build up and dizziness. The human body consists of many complex systems. It’s the interactions between different systems, that help us to maintain our sense of balance.
The eyes capture different images, they are exposed to, while the inner ear takes care of monitoring our directions and movements. It’s the joints and muscle sensors that gauge the parts of the body which are in motion.
The central nervous system acts like a supervisor, and makes all the other systems work. When any one of the systems face a problem, it can cause vertigo.
Usually, when a person suffers from a sinus infection, it leads to sinus pressure build up in the inner ear, or congestion in the inner ear, causing normal air flow to be disrupted.
This causes the connection to the brain to be disrupted as well. The pressure builds up in the back of the eyes, the roof of the mouth and the inner ear.
Since there’s pressure on the inner ear, the brain processes are not able to ensure normal balance. The person loses equilibrium and becomes off-balance, causing dizziness.
Sinus infection and vertigo go together.
In a respiratory tract infection, if the bacteria or viruses attach themselves to the mucus lining of the sinuses, it may spread to the ear tube and cause an ear infection.
How to Relieve Sinus Pressure and Vertigo:
One remedy for sinus pressure relief is to warm a soft cloth on a hot griddle and apply it to the ear.
A hot shower will also help in draining the mucus, that’s blocking the sinuses and relieve ear pressure. Try to avoid being in a room with cool air.
Taking steam is one of the simplest and the easiest way to relieve sinus. Adding eucalyptus oil or menthol oil will help in getting rid of sinus infection rather faster. One can take steam two to three times in a day for faster relief.
My favorite method helps in clearing up nasal congestion. Saline water has to be passed through the nasal openings for the same. I use a Neti-Pot.
Eating spicy food is known to relieve sinus pressure. Once a person eats spicy food, clogged sinuses will open up and mucus will drain out. Adding ginger, garlic, dried lemon etc. in your diet will also work towards relieving sinus pressure.
When you’re suffering from sinuses, one of the home remedies is to increase the intake of fluids. This helps in diluting mucus and eases pressure on the inner ear.
Having the right sleeping position will not only help in relieving sinus pressure, but will also help in avoiding vertigo. Sleep with your head on an elevation.
If you normally sleep with your head on a pillow, you may want to make use of two pillows.
If you have been suffering from these problems for some time, then you may not want to talk to your health care professional immediately.
Although there is a close relation between sinusitis and vertigo, there are other reasons, which may also cause dizziness. You may want to talk to your health care professional and rule out any other cause of the problem.
According to the University of Michigan Health System, “Sinusitis is a common condition that affects millions of people across the world. Estimated to be as many as 35 million Americans suffer from this disease at that it accounts for at least $2.4 billion in direct medical costs alone.”
Sinus problems can cause a number of symptoms and adverse affects on the body like head pain, a persistent cough and vertigo.
The sinuses purpose is to catch any unwanted airborne particles from entering the lungs. The sinuses are very temporal and can be irritated by change in humidity, allergies or the common cold.
This is what I experience. The change in humidity… specifically a lowering in humidity. Dry air is NOT My friend!
When the sinus cavity is inflamed, it swells to its maximum capacity, preventing normal air flow and abnormal amounts of pressure to build up in and around the sinuses.
This is what has caused my equilibrium to become off-balance, causing vertigo.
To properly treat vertigo caused by sinus pressure, a person first must deal with the sinus issue. If the sinuses are infected, you need to kill the infection.
If the sinuses are simply irritated, an over-the-counter decongestant will help calm the swelling and irritation. Vertigo is no fun, but won’t last if you keep the sinus swelling down.
My recommendation for “drainage of the sinuses or no drainage,” is still to use the Neti-Pot and decongestant, to keep the swelling down.
You may still have some vertigo, but it will go away in 3-5 days if your sinuses are better.