What Sort of Problems Can Affect My Sinuses?
Your sinuses are a system of hollow cavities inside your face and skull. These interconnected passages allow you to breathe comfortably. They also produce mucus to clear away dust, dirt, and germs.
Sometimes, your sinuses may become swollen, blocked, or infected, causing pressure in your sinuses. Many different health conditions can affect the sinuses, including:
- Allergies
- Infections
- Deviated septum
- Nasal polyps
Sinusitis is an especially common problem among both children and adults. This condition occurs when the tissues within your sinus become swollen.
Viral or bacterial infection can cause acute sinusitis. This type of sinusitis often clears up on its own or with antibiotics. However, chronic sinusitis can cause long-term inflammation. If you have ongoing problems with sinusitis, you may need specialized care, like the kind we provide at Beach Cities ENTS for patients throughout Torrance and El Segundo, CA.
How Is Sinus Pressure Treated?
Sinus pressure can cause a stuffy nose, headaches, facial pressure, a decreased sense of smell, sore throats, clogged ears, a cough, and bad breath. You may also experience constant snot in the nose and constant throat clearing.
To treat these problems, your Beach Cities ENTS provider will perform a thorough exam. Your provider will look inside your nose to check for inflammation. You might also receive imaging tests to find out what's causing your sinus problems.
Next, your provider will develop a personalized care plan. You may receive prescription pills or nasal sprays to reduce sinus inflammation. Prescription drugs can also help clear up an infection and relieve pain.
If your sinus problems don't respond to medication, you may need other treatments. In-office procedures like balloon sinuplasty can help open up blocked sinus passages. Surgery can also remove blockages and clear stubborn infections.
What Happens During Sinus Surgery?
In the past, sinus surgery was often a very invasive procedure. Today, endoscopic techniques allow patients to receive a simple outpatient procedure. Endoscopic sinus surgeries leave no visible scars or bruising and have a low risk of complications.
If you need endoscopic sinus surgery, you will receive your procedure at a qualified hospital or surgery center. The Beach Cities ENTS team will help you schedule surgery and will let you know how long your procedure will take and how long you'll need to recover.
Sinus Pressure Reviews
Dr. Levine told me the condition of my throat, ears, & nostrils as he examined them. He went over options available to me and let me choose based on the results of my exam. He explained what I can do at home if I ever get sinus pressure. (so I save on office visit costs) He is a warm & caring doctor. At the end of my visit, he asked if I had any questions. How thorough! Then he wished me an enjoyable sunny day.
1
Total Reviews
5
Average Rating
Sinus Pressure FAQs
Why do I have sinus pressure without congestion?
Pressure around the forehead, cheeks, or eyes is not always caused by blocked sinuses. Migraine, tension headaches, jaw problems, and other conditions can produce sensations that patients may interpret as sinus pressure. An ENT evaluation can help determine whether symptoms are actually related to inflammation or another sinus condition.
Can flying make sinus pressure worse?
Changes in air pressure during takeoff and landing can cause significant discomfort when the sinus openings are swollen or blocked. This prevents pressure from equalizing normally and may lead to pain around the forehead, cheeks, or eyes. Patients who frequently experience severe sinus pain while flying may benefit from an evaluation for an underlying sinus or nasal problem.
Why is sinus pressure worse when I bend over?
Bending forward can sometimes intensify pressure or discomfort in the face when the sinuses are inflamed or congested. Changes in pressure and the movement of mucus within affected sinus cavities may make existing symptoms feel more noticeable. Recurrent or persistent facial pressure should be evaluated because sinus disease is only one of several possible causes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does sinus pressure require an ENT rather than primary care?
Primary care can manage acute sinus pressure that comes with a cold or short-term illness. See an ENT if pressure persists for more than 3 months, keeps coming back (more than three to four episodes per year), doesn't improve with antibiotics or nasal steroids, or is accompanied by nasal polyps, facial pain, or a reduced sense of smell. These are signs of chronic sinusitis that benefit from ENT-specific evaluation and treatment.
What treatments does Beach Cities ENT offer for chronic sinus pressure?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Options range from allergy management and prescription nasal sprays, to in-office balloon sinuplasty (a procedure to open blocked sinus passages without surgery), to functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for more complex cases. We start with the least invasive appropriate option and progress from there based on your response.
Is sinus pressure always from sinusitis, or could it be something else?
Not always. Sinus pressure can also result from nasal allergies, a deviated septum, nasal polyps, dental issues, TMJ dysfunction, or even tension headaches. This is why a proper ENT examination — which may include nasal endoscopy and imaging — is more informative than treating symptoms based on self-diagnosis alone.
Is sinus pressure treatment covered by insurance?
Yes. Evaluation and most treatments for chronic sinusitis and sinus pressure are covered as medically necessary. This includes office visits, imaging, in-office procedures like balloon sinuplasty, and surgery when indicated. We'll verify your specific coverage and obtain any required prior authorization before proceeding.
What Can I Expect From the Recovery Process?
After surgery, you may experience some minor discomfort. Your physician might prescribe pain medication to make you more comfortable. You will need to avoid strenuous physical activity for 1 – 2 weeks after surgery. You will also be given detailed instructions on how to clean and rinse your nose and sinuses after surgery.
Most patients who undergo surgery report less pain and fewer infections. You may also find that it is easier and more comfortable to breathe through your nose. If you have trouble with snoring or sleep apnea, these symptoms often improve or disappear after sinus surgery.
Ready to learn more about how to alleviate sinus pressure? If you live near Torrance or El Segundo, CA, and need help choosing the right treatment, call Beach Cities ENTS today or schedule an appointment online.