If your neck is out of alignment, it can certainly cause sinus problems. But don’t worry, there are a few things you can do to fix the problem. First, try chiropractic adjustments or visit a massage therapist. If those don’t work, you may need to see an ENT specialist. But in the meantime, here are a few tips to help you clear your sinuses and feel better fast!
Introduction
The answer is “possibly.” While there is no direct link between a misaligned neck and sinus problems, it is possible that the two could be related. If you have sinus problems, it is worth seeing a chiropractor or other healthcare professional to see if a misaligned neck might be the root cause.
What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. The sinuses are air-filled cavities in the skull. They help to filter and clean the air that we breathe. They also help to make the voice sound “echoey”.
Sinusitis is a very common condition. It affects about 1 in 10 people in the UK. It is more common in adults than in children.
Sinusitis can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic). Acute sinusitis usually starts with a cold, which then leads to a build-up of mucus in the sinuses. This can cause pain and pressure in the face, as well as a blocked nose, fever and headaches. Chronic sinusitis is where the symptoms last for more than 12 weeks.
There are many different causes of sinusitis, but it is usually caused by a virus, such as a cold or the flu. Bacteria can also cause sinusitis, but this is less common.
What are the symptoms of sinusitis?
Symptoms of sinusitis can include:
- facial pain or pressure that’s worse when leaning forward
- headache
- pain in the upper teeth
- fever
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- nasal discharge that’s thick and yellow or green
- nasal congestion
- reduced sense of taste or smell
What are the causes of sinusitis?
The sinuses are air-filled cavities in the skull. They are located behind the nose, cheeks, eyes, and forehead. Sinusitis is an inflammation of these cavities. It can be caused by a viral infection, bacterial infection, allergies, or structural problems in the nose.
How is sinusitis diagnosed?
To diagnose sinusitis, your doctor will ask about your signs and symptoms and examine your face for tenderness over your forehead, cheeks and eyes. She or he also may tap lightly on these areas to check for pain.
If you have had sinusitis symptoms for more than 10 days without improvement, if you have a fever lasting more than three days or if your pain is severe, your doctor probably will order a sinus X-ray or CT scan to check for blockage in your sinuses.
How is sinusitis treated?
Sinusitis is usually treated with corticosteroids, antibiotics, decongestants, and pain relievers. In more severe cases, sinus surgery may be required. If you have sinusitis, your doctor will likely prescribe one or more of the following treatments:
-Corticosteroids. These drugs help reduce inflammation in the sinuses. They can be taken as a pill, sniffed as a nasal spray, or inserted as a liquid drops into the nose.
-Antibiotics. These drugs are used to clear bacterial infections in the sinuses. They can be taken as a pill or injected intravenously (into a vein).
-Decongestants. These drugs help reduce congestion in the sinuses. They can be taken as a pill or nasal spray.
-Pain relievers. These drugs can help relieve pain and pressure in the sinuses. They can be taken as a pill, capsule, or liquid.
What are the complications of sinusitis?
Complications of sinusitis can include: -Anemia -Bone and cartilage destruction -Infection of the lining of the brain and brain itself -Kidney problems -Lung collapse -Meningitis
Prevention of sinusitis
There are a number of things you can do to help prevent sinusitis, or at least reduce the severity and duration of an infection:
- Keep your nose clear. Blow your nose gently and often, using a tissue to catch the drainage. If you have allergies, take your medication as prescribed.
- Drink plenty of fluids. This will help keep your mucous membranes moist and help flush out bacteria and other irritants.
- Avoid irritants. If you smoke, stop. Stay away from dust, pollen, pet dander, cold air and other things that can trigger an attack.
- Get a humidifier. This will add moisture to the air and help keep your sinuses from getting too dry.
- Rinse your sinuses daily. You can use a Neti pot or other type of sinus rinse device to flush out your sinuses with sterile saline solution (available at any drugstore).
