Sinus Pain Location & Treatment
Sinus pain affects the face, head or upper teeth. It occurs when the sinus cavities, the spaces beside the nasal passages, become inflamed. Air, pus and mucus become trapped inside the cavities. There are various treatments for sinus pain, including over-the-counter medicines and at-home remedies, along with prescription medications.
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Types
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Sinus pain occurs when the sinuses become swollen and inflamed. The causes of sinus pain can be infectious or noninfectious. Doctors use four categories to describe sinus pain: acute sinusitis (symptoms last less than 4 weeks), subacute sinusitis (symptoms last 4 to 8 weeks), chronic sinusitis (symptoms last longer than 8 weeks) or recurrent acute sinusitis (3 or more episodes during a year, and each time the symptoms last less than 2 weeks).
Location
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Sinus pain occurs in different places. Pain in the forehead indicates the frontal sinuses are inflamed. Pain in the upper jaw and sensitivity in the teeth indicates the maxillary sinuses are inflamed. Pain between the eyes indicates the ethmoid sinuses are inflamed. Vague symptoms of pain in the ear, neck or top of the head could indicate that the deeply recessed sphenoid sinuses are inflamed. Often sinus pain is not in one specific location, but in several locations.
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Effects
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Sometimes sinus pain feels like a headache. Other times, it is simply a feeling of mild pressure. It usually involves pain in one or more of the following areas: the upper teeth, between the eyes, in the ears or on the face. Other symptoms can accompany sinus pain, including an obstructed nasal airway, nasal congestion or abnormal sinus drainage.
Statistics
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About 40 million Americans are affected by sinus pain each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are about 33 million cases of chronic sinusitis reported each year. Americans spend more than $5.8 billion dollars each year to treat sinusitis.
Causes
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Sinus pain can be caused by viruses, allergies or bacteria. When the sinus membranes are affected by viruses, allergies or bacteria, they swell and become congested. This congestion is the cause of the pain and pressure that a person feels.
Treatments
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Over-the-counter medicines are available to ease sinus pain. These medications usually combine a pain reliever with a decongestant or antihistamine. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics. Warm moist air can help ease sinus congestion and pain. Patients can get the warm moist air from either a vaporizer or from steam from a pan of boiled water that has been pulled from the heat of the stove. Some patients get relief from sinus pain using warm compresses.
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