Painful sinus pressure: what to know

Congestion can make pressure feel worse when you bend forward, and you may also have a blocked or runny nose, reduced smell, facial tenderness, or thick mucus. Sinusitis can cause this combination, while chronic sinusitis tends to involve symptoms that persist or recur over a longer period. Migraine can also cause facial pressure and may be accompanied by nausea or sensitivity to light, even without marked nasal blockage. Symptoms overlap, so the whole pattern is useful.

Rest, drink fluids, and use a warm compress over the face if it feels soothing. Saline nasal rinsing may loosen mucus; use sterile or previously boiled and cooled water with clean equipment. Avoid smoke and other irritants. Ask a pharmacist before using decongestant sprays or pain medicines, especially if you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, or take other medicines. Antibiotics are not suitable for every cause of sinus symptoms.

Seek urgent care for swelling around an eye, vision changes, a severe headache unlike your usual pattern, stiff neck, confusion, or marked weakness. Arrange a medical review for symptoms that are severe, keep returning, persist despite self-care, or come with high fever, worsening facial pain, or a change after initial improvement. A clinician can distinguish sinus inflammation from migraine and other causes.

Ask whether your symptoms fit sinusitis, chronic sinusitis, migraine, or another cause, and which nasal or pain treatments suit you. Note the location, duration, congestion, fever, smell changes, light sensitivity, and any eye symptoms.