What should I do about my neck and head aches caused by sinus pressure?

[Ben88z]

Hello,

I have had an ongoing problem for a number of years.  I have severe sinus pressure around my eyes, in my face, around my ears and especially in the back of my head and neck.  Sometimes it gets so tight that I just can't take it. About 3 or 4 years ago it got to the point were I was coughing up blood every morning in the shower.  I went to my doctor who sent me to a ENT and he did a throat culture.  He determined I had chronic sinusitis (CT Scan) as well as some sort of staph infection.  Shortly after I had sinus surgery (can't remember the technical name) after it did not respond to medication. It definately helped and I no longer coughed up blood in the morning, although the week after the surgery was absolutely miserable.

In the past year or so the pain has returned with a vengeance. Its been especially bad in my neck and head. Sometimes I feel dizzy, can't concentrate, blury vision, auras around objects and severe pressure on my eyes.  I take claritin and have every possible nasal spray available.  My symptoms started as far as I can remember when I was 17 and was in a bad car wreck where I bruised the back of my brain.  I always wondered if this was some how connected but I had a million tests after my wreck and they only came up with a severe concussion/bruised brain.  I do yoga and run about 25 miles a week.  Sometimes this helps, sometimes it makes things worse.  I really don't want to go back to the ENT, but maybe I should?  Any natural rememedies that can be suggested?   Thanks!

[Lynn91]

I would like to see a comment from a doctor on this issue.  My husband has very similar symptoms and he has seen an ENT, had MRI's and several other tests without any answers.  At first he thought it was sinus infections but no infection was detected.  He has drainage down the back of his throat (never dripping forward) and often coughs up small amounts of blood in the morning.  He has sinus pressure and headaches that are located in the back of his head. The 2 bumps located in the back of his head (near the base of his skull - not sure of it's technical term) are often swollen and when he presses on them, he says he feels pressure in his sinuses.  He is a Union Ironworker and commonly gets headaches after welding.  Several senior coworkers have complained of the same symptoms and relate it to the years of the constant strain,weight and "whiplash motion" of flipping the welding shield down using the neck muscles.  I have done some research and wonder if it is related to the transverse sinuses or possible "referred" pain.  Nevertheless, he is constantly alternating icepacks with heating pads trying to get relief.  Will you please give us your professional opinion and suggest how we should proceed?  

Thanks!
Lynn

[tomsant]

1. Your said your symptoms get worse when you have 'sinus problems': My idea about 'sinus problems' may differ from yours. My idea:  a headcold, with nasal discharge and headache, or a nasal stuffiness with a nasal twang in voice, or there is sneezing and fever??? Which do you mean? How long have you been having this 'sinus problem'? (Your idea about the anatomical site of the paranasal sinuses is right)

2. Back of neck injuries can't affect the sinuses as far as I know. But it can give a 'referred' pain in the area of the head and face.

3. The whiplash could have produced some damage to the cervical spine structures, and you may have to visit your neuro/ spinal surgeon or Ortho; whoever handles that in your geographical location.

Does this reply help?

Best,

Thomas Antony

[Ben88z]

Hello tomsant,

THanks for the response.  The neurosurgeon's comment back then was that it would heal naturally over time but that I would have some side effects that possibly would never go away.  I have accepted that, but my symptoms get worse when I have sinus problems like I am having now.  My whole head feels like its just full of mucus and when I get like this, my neck hurts, head, eye pressure, etc.  I have always associated it with my sinus issues.  It is my understanding that the sinuses  are located within the skull or bones of the head surrounding the nose, include the frontal sinuses over the eyes in the brow area, the maxillary sinuses inside each cheekbone, the ethmoids just behind the bridge of the nose and between the eyes, and behind them, the sphenoids in the upper region of the nose and behind the eyes. So, that is why I thought it was sinus pressure.

But, in the back of my mind I always wondered if it were some sort of side effect from the car accident (I am now 30 so its been 13 years). I have also heard that back and neck injuries can have an impact on your sinuses.  In this accident I did get whiplash and had 2 of my upper verterbrae pinched which I had to get therapy for about 6 months by the chiropractor.  So, is it possible that a neck/head injury could lead to sinus problems?  

Thank you

[tomsant]

With the data you have provided it is difficult to guess.

You had a car accident when you were 17yr age, (how many years back?) and had some 'bruise/concussion" in the back of the brain. (What was the neuro's comment then?)

"dizzy, can't concentrate, blury vision, auras around objects and severe pressure on my eyes">>> all these can't be due to chronic sinusitis.

Why did you think it was 'sinus' pressure which was around your eyes, face and ears? Pain in these regions have been reported to occur in whiplash injuries of cervical spine, which can occur in RTA (road traffic accident)

Best rgds,

Thomas Antony