allergies uugh!

I have sinus / rhinitis and I have been taking the claritin 10mg everynight.  I have been experiencing rt ear throb on occasions, pain in eye sockets, headache on top of the head and when I bend to pick something up off the floor my eyes, nose, forehead feels heavy.  I purchased some allergy meds which helps ease the aches in my eyes.  I also take excedrine tense tabs which helps with the headaches.  I am confused weather I should go to the ENT specialist or the optomologist or even both.  @ times I even get a lil blurred vision from my rt eye but I'm not sure if its associated with the allergies or if its my vision because I do wear glasses 20/45 is my vision.  I just got my prescription this past February 2011.  I also experince sensitivity to the sun when my transitional prescription glasses aren't on my eyes, what would you recommend I do?

[bsmsl]

Hi,

Sounds like a possible sinus infection to me.  A general practitioner like a primary care physician should be able to treat you.  If you are more comfortable seeing and ENT, then that would be good too.  

Feel better.

God bless.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

The symptoms described could be due to a sinus infection. Sinus infections can cause stuffiness of the nose with nasal blockage, which can make breathing through the nose difficult. It can also cause post nasal drip and lead to an irritation/infection in the throat. There are tubes called 'Eustachian  tubes' which connect the middle ear to the throat, this balances the air pressure in the ears. This tube can get  blocked due to infections of the throat, which can give lead to a feeling of fullness in the ears. This can also result in infection of the ears.

Sinus infections also cause headaches. Blurring of vision may or may not be related to sinusitis.

You will need to consult your primary care physician for proper assessment, who may then refer you to an ENT specialist if needed.  In the meantime practice good breathing exercises, humidify your room and do steam inhalations.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.