Can a sinus infection cause dizziness?

There’s a possibility you’ve had a sinus infection if you’ve had severe discomfort and pressure behind your cheeks and on your forehead. Other symptoms, like nausea or dizziness, that didn’t seem to be connected to your sinuses may have also been present. Are those signs connected?

Continue reading to learn more about your sinuses, what might infect them, and what signs to watch for.

Sinus infection

A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis or rhinosinusitis, is swelling, inflammation, and infection of the nasal passages or the nasal cavities. When this occurs, there is an accumulation of fluid in the sinuses, which can encourage the growth of bacteria and result in a sinus infection.

Sinuses are hollow areas within the bones in your forehead, cheekbones, and the area between your eyes. They create mucus, which keeps your nose’s interior moist. This offers a defense against pollutants, allergies, and dust.

Sinuses are air-filled when they’re healthy, but they can get clogged for a variety of reasons.

• A typical cold
• Weak immune system
• Inflammation of the nasal lining brought on by allergens (also known as Allergic rhinitis)
• nasal polyps (small growths in the lining of the nose)
• Infections in the teeth
• A crooked septum

Sinus infection, types

There are four different sinus infections kinds. They are divided into groups according to their length and frequency of infection.

Acute sinusitis

a specific kind of sinus infection that is brought on by the flu or allergies. Typically, cold-like symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose and facial pain come first. Acute sinusitis can persist between two and four weeks and typically resolves on its own. Infection with germs is the main reason.

Chronic sinusitis

Another type of sinus infection that persists longer than acute sinusitis is chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis may be brought on by an infection and lasts up to 12 weeks.

Subacute sinusitis

Another type of sinus infection that lasts between 4 and 12 weeks is a subacute sinus infection.

Recurrent acute sinusitis

This particular sinus infection happens four or more times every year. Over a period of seven days, each infection lasts.

Infection of the sinus’ symptoms

Some sinus infection symptoms are listed below.

Nasal clogging

Your ability to breathe through your nose may be hampered by a sinus infection. Your sinuses and nasal passageways enlarge as a result, which could clog them.

Runny nose

The presence of a runny nose is one annoying sign of a sinus infection. If you have nasal discharge, you might need to blow your nose frequently (usually green or yellow in nature). Your diseased sinuses are the source of this discharge, which enters your nasal passages. The drainage may sometimes go down the back of your throat instead of through your nose. A tickling, an itch, or even a sore throat could be present.

Postnasal drip is what it is known as, and it can make you cough both in the morning after you get up and at night when you are lying down to sleep. Your voice may also sound hoarse as a result.

Headaches

You may have headache and earache symptoms from constant pressure. mainly occurs in the morning as a result of the fluid retention from the previous night.

Throat annoyance

It can irritate you when sinus drainage travels down the back of your throat, usually over a long period of time. This can result in a bothersome cough that lasts for a long time and gets worse when you’re getting ready for bed or when you first wake up in the morning.

Fever

Although uncommon, fever is yet another sign of a sinus infection.

Can a sinus infection cause dizziness?

When your nasal passages are inflamed and congested, you get a sinus infection. Both sinus and sinus headaches are caused by these elements. Your ears may also be affected by this inflammation or obstruction, which could lead to an infection or pressure-related vertigo.

Ear infections that can make you feel faint or dizzy may also be caused by sinus issues. For instance, allergies or a blockage of the Eustachian tubes, which can also result in sinusitis, can induce middle ear infections. In some circumstances, middle ear infections might result in ear discharge.

Labyrinthitis may occur if your sinus problems impact your inner ears. You may have nausea and vomiting from this disease in addition to dizziness.

You may also be interested in:

Is a sinus infection contagious?

Treatment for sinus infection

• A nasal decongestant spray, like oxymetazoline, can be used to temporarily ease sinus infection symptoms.
• Nasal cleaning. Cleaning or cleansing your nose with sterile water or a nasal solution is required for this. Doctors advise boiling tap water and letting it cool before using it to clean your nose.
• Herbal remedies are primarily utilized to treat sinusitis in Europe.
• Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that treats acute sinusitis brought on by bacterial infections (Talk to your doctor to ascertain whether you need an antibiotic or not).
• Additionally, staying hydrated can reduce mucus congestion

Summary

Sinus infections can cause dizziness. You get a sinus infection when your nasal passages are irritated and clogged. These factors contribute to both sinus headaches and pressure headaches. This inflammation or obstruction may also impact your ears, which could result in an infection or pressure-related vertigo.

Sinus problems may also be the source of ear infections that make you feel weak or lightheaded. A doctor can assist in treating the sinus infection that is producing extreme nausea or vertigo. In addition, stronger drugs than those available over the counter can be prescribed by a doctor for certain problems.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can sinus infection lead to loss of taste?

The nerve endings deep inside the nose that are crucial for detecting odors are blocked by swelling and an excessive buildup of mucus in the sinuses. Since the senses of smell and taste are closely related, sinus infection with its swelling, excessive mucus buildup, and obstruction may cause a loss of taste.

Can sinus infection lead to loss of smell?

Loss of smell may result from olfactory receptor disruption brought on by sinus infection in the nasal epithelium. Additionally, the sinus infection’s inflammation prevents your sinuses from draining properly, which is why you lose your sense of smell.

How to get your sense of taste and smell back after a Sinus Infection

Can sinus infection lead to nausea?

You also experience a post-nasal drip when you have a sinus infection. Sinus drainage-associated nausea is caused by post-nasal drip that enters the stomach. Having an empty stomach may make nausea worse.

Sadly, post-nasal drip frequently gets worse when you’re hungry, such as in the middle of the night or early in the morning.