The sinuses behind your eyes and around your nose are connected to your ear canals inside your head, which is why your ears may feel stopped up when you are experiencing a sinus blockage.
These muffled ear sensations can feel like you are flying on a plane, and they can be very annoying. Your first thought may be to plug your nose and blow, thus blowing out any air through your ears and relieving the congestion. However, you should never do this, as it puts you at risk for rupturing your eardrum.
If you are seeking sinus pressure relief in Los Angeles,
- Moisture helps. Moisten your nose by using saline spray several times a day, or letting a warm, moist washcloth rest over your face. This can help open up your sinuses to relieve the pressure.
- Humidifiers will also help keep your sinuses moistened, and if you don’t have a humidifier, then you can run a hot shower to keep your sinuses from drying out.
- An over-the-counter decongestant tablet or nasal spray can ease sinus congestion, which then can be felt in your ears. Nasal decongestant sprays should only be used for 3 days at a time or else your congestion will get worse. If you are still experiencing congestion 3 days later, then you need to contact a doctor about sinus surgery in Los Angeles.
- Avoid extreme hot and cold temperatures, as they can exacerbate your sinus-related ear problems. Stay inside if it’s extremely hot or snowy outside.
- Elevate your head. Avoid bending over and sleep on a stack of pillows.
- Hydrate yourself. Fluids will keep your nasal mucus thin, allowing it to drain better.
A build-up of sinus pressure in the inner ear is uncomfortable, but it can also cause dizziness. Keep this in mind if your sinus issues are often accompanied by dizziness, as you’ll need to make minor lifestyle changes to accommodate this.
If you are going to take a flight, the pressure in your ears will get worse. We recommend that you take a decongestant tablet an hour or so before the flight so that your discomfort is minimized.
