Can Sinus Cause Constant Head Pressure Without Other Symptoms?

[Glenville86]

Background: Retired from the Army in Nov and had a complete physical. Everything was fine except for lower back degenerative disk diease and mild hearing loss. All bloodwork was normal. Took a job in Iraq where I am currently. Arrived in Feb. In Jun, I was sick with extreme fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. Saw a doctor in Jul and was given OTC headache meds. They did bloodwork that came back normal. Since that time I have had daily head pressure and tinnitus. The tinnitus comes and goes and can be really loud and annoying. Visited another doctor in Sep who thought it might be an allergic reaction and was given zyrtec for a month. No change with the head pressure. Saw an ENT in Oct who feels that it just a left-over from whatever made me ill in Jun and thinks it will get better with time. Have had this for 5 months.

NOTE: I am 44 and had never had a headache prior to this. Have never had any TMJ problems. Tinnitus was never a problem. Never noticed any allergies before this. Never had sinus problems. Am in decent health and walk daily for 45 minutes. Thought it might be some sort of reaction to something here in Iraq but do not have typical allergy or sinus symptoms.  

Questions: 1) Can sinus cause the daily head pressure and tinnitus? No pain, just a heavy and tight feeling from my eyebrows, temples to the back of my head. Wake up with it. Only goes away when outside exercising. Constant dust inside and outside this place with pollution. Extreme heat going from AC into 120 degree. Has cooled off now, but symptoms remain.  
  

[poco1023]

Hi, I'm not an expert, but I deal with sinus problems/pressure personally on a yearly basis.  The pressure I feel is usually right about my eyebrows also and sometimes on the very top of my head, right above my forehead.  For really bad sinus pressure I've been given zrytec-D or allegra-D, to ease the congestion. It seems to help me get relief from the pressure pain.  Maybe you should have your doctor prescribe that for you and see how you do. I get allergy/sinus problems right at the change of the season, that's when it will hit me.  good luck to you!

[stacia123]

Hi there.  Yes, you can have just the pressure without other symptoms.  Actually, I've had various odd symptoms that don't seem to be sinus related until the congestion gets worse.  For example, the left side of my face was swollen for weeks before we figured out it was a sinus infection, because the congestion mucous wasn't all that bad.  

Hopefully your doctor can give you something for the pressure.  Nasal irrigation may also help.

[massolteron]

I would also suggest nasal irrigation--I think that is what I am doing at least--anyhow, I picked up saline nose spray (just saline, not any medicinal nose sprays) and have used this for about two days, and remarkably, the pressure is almost gone.

Granted, I have gone one month with awful pain, pressure, headache, ear ache, facial numbness, neck pain and tightness and jaw soreness. My doc said allergies and sinus, but I thought he was nuts. I have had allergies my entire life and have never experienced this type of pain, disorientation and brain fog. I've also had sinus issues in the past, the messy sinus issues with visible infection, but this time it is just awful pressure and ache. I felt drunk and disoriented all day long, without taking medicine.

I don't drink a lot of water, and I smoke. I cut down smoking, have been drinking 5+ glasses of water a day and spraying my nose with the saline nasal solution and BAM, it has improved 110%. Don't know what has helped but I have to assume the saline in the nose...good luck.

[D921]

hi,

I am having this pressure in my head moving all over , heere and there and than in my face also and forhead and around the nose, and also poundering in my head. cant sleepppp.

I feel only after 1 week or 5-6 days that my nose feels like i had a sinus problem.

Could this be true as first I had pressure thing .

And i havnt got any cold or flu or sneezing.

I can read and concentrate also, not getting problem or daily headaches.

Please help me i am v.... wrroied and cant share this to anyone at home...

[nikogal2006]

maybe you have a problem with you neck? I had alot of pressure in my head and it turned out to be a neck problem. It mimicks alot of ear problems and sinus problems, could be a combination but I was told it was my neck, loss of natural curve.

[elktalker]

I can't believe my eyes, I have had the same problem for almost a year now. I have had a birrage of ct and cat scans and they can find nothing wrong. I would like to see the answers to these responses, Glenville 86 and D921, I would love to talk to you about this to see if you have gotten any positive results yet. The symptoms that you have are a carbon copy of mine, please get in touch with me, elktalker.

[elktalker]

In conjunction with my above comment, I have had the brain fog and dissorientation and the feeling of being drunk all day though it seems to get a little better with activity. Would like to hear from some of you thanks.

[kofpparrothead]

Hi - Shortley before christmas - 1 1/2 months ago or so - I had what I thought was the beginning of a sinus infection - pain on either side of nose, behind eyes, and post nasal drip - I also had a new sympton - dizziness or feeling room is spinning when i change the position of my head even in bed.  I called the doctor and got a Z-pack - all was fine for the 10 days - then I got this really bad cold - that finally went away after 2 weeks or so.  No I have the dizziness again and I don't really feel any sinus pressure - just a slight runny nose.  Any ideas?  Could I still have a sinus infection without symptons?  

[drivehac]

Hi,Ihave had cronic sinus problems for years,partly I believe is hereditary,my father and grandfather had sinus problems as well,and also because I was born with a cleft palate.Because on the deviated septum this adds makes drainage of the sinuses almost impossible.I also get allergies in the summer and fall.All the nasal sprays,ect,don't do much for me.I found it interesting to hear about other people getting the "brain fog" you mentioned as I get this a lot.Exercising,especially lifting weights really helps me for a couple of days.I think this is due to straining very hard which kind of "milks" your sinuses.The weightlifting works better for me than anything,give it a shot.The heavier the exercise,the better such as deadlifts,legpress,or squats.

[Blue727]

I was diagnosed as having chronic sinusitis, deviated septum, possible nasal polyps, cyst or mucus pocket.  I have constant unrelenting pain above and behind my eyes.  My eyes often feel like they are stuck, as if I'm staring.  I have to clear my throat constantly, wake up feeling very unrefreshed, brain fog and for some reason I feel really slow and dumb.  Any eye movements really make my pain worse.  Anybody else have a problem with moving of the eyes?

[Mcginty1968]

My brother has really bad pressure in his ears and head. He says it feels like it will explode at any minute. It is to the point that it is about to drive him crazy. His throat feels like it is swollen inside but doesn't seem to look like it is from the outside. Does anyone know what he might have. Maybe someone has had these symptoms and has got a diagnosis on what is causing the really awful preesure. Thanks

[Mcginty1968]

I posted about my brother having really bad pressure in his head, ears and throat well I wanted to add another symptom to it. He has started studdering in his speach in the past few months. Thank you, Hope someone can help.

[sealbeachluvr]

Hi.  I have become so desperate for answers that I came to this site in hopes for answers myself. I am 40.  Two years ago, I began to experience severe pressure in my head, sometimes I can feel like electricity or something move around in my head. I know this sounds ridiculous but to me it is real.

I have blurred vision. I went for a complete eye exam and everything came out normal.  I think the scariest part of this is the way my eyes feel. I notice that when the pain is more severe in my ears and head, my eyes feel worse.  As I write this, my head feels clogged. It is a strange feeling, a very scary feeling.  I have been to Kaiser SEVERAL times only to be told it is either in my head, by at least one doctor and I have been told that I have some kind of sinus drip thing and fluid in my ears.  I am going back to the doctors on Monday at 7:00 PM.  I will keep you posted as to what they say this week.

Keep me in your prayers…I am so worried.

[xl_dean_lx]

I have these same symptoms. Feeling of pressure throughout my head, slight intermitten pain toward the base of my skull that sometimes radiates throughout my head. I too have felt slightly intoxicated while being perfectly sober.Im also experiencing visual floaters that start occurring with the rest of these odd symptoms. I had a complete eye exam that came out perfect. I also have an appt. with an ENT in a few weeks. I will keep everyone updated!

[amy1107]

My husband has alot of the same problems. He has been told it is in his head and that he has a deviated septum. He always feels like his head will explode. His vision becomes blurred and he has black outs. The pressure in his head is excruciating. When it gets really bad he is like dr. jekyl and mr hyde. His hearing is also suffering. Doctors tell him he has sinusitis. It has to be something else because we have tried every antibiotic and over the counter stuff with no effect. Hopefully someone will read this blog section and find an answer for every sufferer. Maybe if doctors actually did what they are paid for instead of the easy solution you could all get help. An extra for my husband is fiberglass inhalation which can not drain due to the deviated septum. Good luck to everyone.

[xl_dean_lx]

Any updates from the original poster?

[insane007]

I can't believe it...I read all the posts and feel like each one is about me!  I am 43, never had any issues with sinus, and never had any issues with allergies.  However, I have been told I am slightly asthmatic and have been told I have allergies.  I don't take any medications, none...nada...zip!  I have been working out faithfully since January.  Since last year I have gone to the doctors several times, had a CT scan, and have been told I have sinus disease.  I just finished a second 10-day antibiotic marathon, felt better for about 2 weeks, and now I am worse than ever!  Heavy head, clogged, pressure, I can hear myself breath from my ear, I feel like my head is in a fish bowl!  Insane!  I feel like I need someone to turn on the drain.  This is really starting to be annoying.  My next appointment is in two weeks, I am requesting a specialist...

[tigers88]

I too feel the same way as most of you do.  I feel dizzy, congested, some eye blurryness along with the brain fog. I am 44 and work out regular and often do feel better when I have a good workout.  Unfortunately, that good feeling does not last long.   I have been going to many doctors for over three years and nothing works.  I am also on allergy shots.  Most people do not understand the feeling of waking up and going through most of the day with brain fog.  I have taken many prescriptions to dry up the congestions but nothing really seems to help..  My question is why is it happening and why will the condition not clear up.

[ggolfer]

My 25 year-old son has had pressure inside his head and a brain fog problem for 1 1/2 years now.  While trying to relieve dry eye pain from his lasik surgery, he tried many things including claritan and nasal sprays.  These seemed to relieve his eye pain but over months caused a pressure in his ears.  He discontinued the allergy medicine but eventually he developed a constant pressure behind his eyes and in the back of his head.  He has seen several specialist and just finished his 2nd MRI but nothing shows up.  He has not seen an ENT yet but is convinced it has something to do with the sinuses, medicines and supplements he took.  He used flax seed oil, hydroeye, bilberry and other supplements which all seem to add to the problem.  He has not taken any of these things in over a year but still has this pressure which has gotten so bad he has taken a leave of absence from work.   I see someone here has gotten some relief from sinus irrigation which my son is getting ready to try.  Has anyone else come up with solutions?

[Suzieqtk]

I am a 44 year old female Registered Nurse. I'm going through what all of you are just deviations of it.  I've been told I have 'allergies' on singular, astelin, flonase and still awful pressure around the nose in the ears and sometimes teeth.  no post nasal drip, no signs of inflammation (although steriords and antibiotics help TEMPORARILY) using salline spray ONLY constantly (which feels a little better) and sudafed more and more becasue that is the only thing that WAS helping but gettting rarer.  done CT's of sinues Normal , blood work normal, visual exams normal yet my head hurts all the time and my brain is foggy especially in the am.  Some days I feel better than others but rarely anymore.  it's interfereing after years at work cause I can't think or concentrate......again most of the pressure and pain is right below the eyes around the nose sinus cavities.  So i've begun to do research and I'm beginning to wonder if it's my neck .  I did have a prior neck break so it IS all messed up, but even the muscle relaxers don't help 'this' particular issue.  i'm about to see if I can get some PT for massage therapy or maybe even neck traction......I'm desperate to try ANYTHING.......  i'm tired of living this way.  I'm NOT a smoker and breathing deeply is just fine I'm not conjested or anything and eveything is normal.............It HAS to be something that the ENT,and regular docs are missing all together but this is rediculous to live like this.

[toolcheckr]

I happened upon this forum and also noticed that I have very similiar symptoms. I've been to my regular doctor many times. Just yesterday I had a blood test. All was good. I've been to ENT doctor.  All was fine. I've gone to see a nuerologist and he suggested having a an MRI with and without contrast, and an EEG just to rule out anything obvious. I started the sinus irrigation a week ago but haven't noticed any improvement. I'm hesitant about having the MRI and EEG done because of the expence. My wife thinks i'm a hypochondriac but I just want the pressure and brain fog inside my head to go away. Right now I just don't know what to do.

[Frustrated362]

I have exactly the same symptoms and have been to 7 different doctors. They all treat me like I am crazy. It's very frustrating to say the least as I imagine everyone that has posted here knows. Please post something if you find anything that works. I've tried everything and nothing works!

[Suzieqtk]

So I had a CT of the Sinues and blood work (IGE).  everything is coming back normal.  I just about cried of frustration in the doctors office Monday.  I don't know where to go from here.  However this is what I've decided.  I'm going to see a chiropractor and see if sitting at this computer all day long is aggravating my neck and is the culprit.  All I know is there IS something wrong.  Positiviely.  I can't take it anymore.  The other roads I'm going to take are getting my house tested for air quality (maybe mold???? ) , getting a sinus, eye temple massager to see if Eye strain is contributing......I don't know what it is.  All I know is there is no infection, the saline seem to help a little, but that's all......I was away for 3 days and started felling better.  However, I also wasn't sitting at my computer all day either.  My neck is definetly fatigued at days end so who knows.  I am so sick of not feeling good and having brain fog and this nasty pressure.  more so I'm sick of living on sudefed to relieve the pressure.  Oh one thing I started doing that also helps is taking 2 little 81mg asprin (not napasyn, not ibuprofen, not tylenol.) litterally asprin, that with the sudefed, nasal irragation is help the symptoms but not irradicating the problem.  I'll keep you updated,

[mugs101]

I feel a lot better having read this string.  I have suffered miserably for the last couple of years.  Symptoms include - post nasal drip, fuzzy head / brain fog, sick to my stomach, hot and cold, generally just feeling lousy.  I had sinus surgery 5 years ago - that was successfull but the past couple of years I have had recurring sinus infections that never really seem to go away.  I get up every morning with head congestion, nauseas and heavy mucus in the back of my throat.  Getting really tied of feeling lousy.  Has anyone found relief????  This is no way to live.