Sinus infections can lead to many undesirable symptoms. Nasal pain, headache, runny nose, fatigue, congestion, fever, nasal discharges, and double vision are commonly associated with such sinus problems. Can sinus infections cause dizziness? The answer is a definite yes. The resulting dizziness contributes to a sinus infection's ability to inhibit your activities of daily living. You may frequently feel lightheaded and may even fall down due to unsteadiness.

Causes of dizziness from sinus infections

All sinusitis sufferers may not experience dizziness. Yet sinus infections can make you feel dizzy if the root cause is a viral cold infection. The common cold, which may cause dizziness, can quickly progress to inflammation of the sinuses. If the maxillary sinuses are affected, the sinus pressure can reach the eye region resulting in eye pain and dizziness.

Moreover, an abnormal buildup of fluid in the ears increases inner ear pressure. If this happens, the vestibular labyrinth may become predisposed. Since it is a structure responsible for calculating balance, compromising the labyrinth would lead to symptoms of dizziness, nausea, and vertigo. If it becomes infected, then it is a condition known as labyrinthitis. Viral upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, and sinus infections usually cause this disorder.

How to treat the dizziness?

Prevention is the best cure! You should therefore make sure to eat a diet filled with nutritious fruits and vegetables to boost your immune system. If you decrease the chances of sinus infection, then you are also staving off the resulting dizziness. Other management options for sinus infection and dizziness include:

  1. Antioxidants and Vitamins - Red grapes and tomatoes are excellent sources of antioxidants that help decrease your susceptibility to infection. It is also wise to supplement your diet with vitamins, especially if you have a weak immune system.
  2. Allergy Removal - Have a decent air conditioning system installed in your home. Air conditioning units are now equipped with allergy removal electrostatic filters to clean the surrounding air.
  3. Medications - Antibiotics are usually prescribed for sinus infections. By taking them, you are also relieving any secondary symptom like dizziness. But do not abuse antibiotics or you will no longer reap its therapeutic effects. Decongestants, expectorants, and anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed as needed. You may also consider non-pharmacologic home remedies, like steam inhalation therapy and hot showers. Dizziness is usually managed by taking drugs like meclizine and scopolamine. For allergy-related labyrinthitis, antihistamines will do the trick.
  4. Increase Fluid Intake - Good hydration makes it less likely that you will contract an infection. You should also wash your hands regularly to help prevent transmission. Viruses are easily transmitted through hand contact.
  5. Lifestyle Modification - Stop smoking! Smoke is a potent irritant to your nasal mucus membranes, which often leads to infection. Alternatively, you should exercise regularly to help your body to fight pathogenic infections.
  6. Treat Your Colds - The common cold is one of the most common causes of sinus infection. Without treatment, colds can last for one to two weeks. Prompt management of colds may prevent complications like sinus infections.
References
  1. Allergies, sinus infection and dizziness. http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Allergy/Allergies--sinus-infection-and-dizziness/show/4137
  2. Sinus Infection and Dizziness Symptoms. http://icarcadavicio.articlealley.com/sinus-infection-and-dizziness-symptoms-161058.html
  3. Does Sinus Infection Cause Dizziness? http://jillghprx.articlealley.com/does-sinus-infection-cause-dizziness-867459.html
  4. Sinus Infection and Dizziness. http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/15158/1/Sinus-Infection-and-Dizziness.html
  5. Sinus Infection Dizziness. http://www.sinusinfectionhelp.com/sinus-infection-dizziness.html
Discussions(6) Add New

  1. Nitya October 29, 2011 02:52 AM Reply

    Because of my dizziness from allergies, I met the physician and they did not deal with any mono. I actually think that it will get back positive and I get my life again. Thanks! This article sounds marvelous.

  2. Alesti December 19, 2011 02:54 PM Reply

    As I have all these similar symptoms, I went to primary care physician. My ears went on popping. He inquired me about my family diseases if there is any thyroid cancer. I got an ultrasound test onto my neck. I was prescribed the amoxicillin of 500 mg. as this is for my ears. I also got the ‘fluticasone propionate nasal spray’. This is 50 mg and it is to take two times a day. I start clocking sensation. I along with my husband went to the’ e.r.’ and he informed that it was a painful throat. I met e.r. again because of worse pain of neck, head and ears. There was the ringing sound in my ears and I was informed it was due to the ear infection. Perhaps these are related to sinus headache and dizziness. Anybody can provide their ideas in this regard.

  3. Webster February 07, 2012 05:01 PM Reply

    Hello!
    During every August and September, I face the worst allergies even though I have the counter MEDs. This August, it lasted longer than the entire previous time and it continued the entire month. I used three packs of tissues in one day. I have not moved to the doctor ever. I believe that these problems will go away and they always do. They went away and my neck started swelling. However, I still breathed. Can all these be related to allergies dizziness?

  4. Baldwin April 11, 2012 04:07 PM Reply

    OMG! I am suffering from the same signs. I have been out of the job for the three weeks. I am really tried and require a sleep during the daytime. It began with an infection of ear and throat. It can be a ‘sinus infection and dizziness’. The physician provided me with the antibiotics; however, it appeared that the infection spread the head and rear of my eyes. There was an unbearable aching. My glands developed into swollen. My right leg and thighs got the pain. The ear pain turned out to be the liquid in the ears. I started feeling that I got a cold. I got a sneeze, but it went away. Have good days!

  5. Yasin June 20, 2012 12:21 PM Reply

    All symptoms that I got have been found in this article. It is splendid. It can be sinus infection and dizzy spells. I took three antibiotics and hospitalized as I fainted at work. I took prednisone that worked to eradicate the dizziness from sinuses and swelling. I did ‘CT scan of sinuses’; however, nothing came out. I took a Swab and high levels of serratia and staphs were detected. I took Bactrim for twenty one days and it helped do the trick. I got cold a couple of days back from my son. The dizziness and pressure came back. Is it related to home or work environment?

  6. Nessa July 25, 2012 11:39 PM Reply

    Hi!
    I was passing a stressful time some weeks ago. I started to feel signs of sinus congestion, headaches, ear congestion, light headed nausea and dizziness. There are allergies and dizziness. These all factors create some panic attacks and I visited the doctor for several times. These features relate to the viral sinus infection perhaps. I took ‘Predinisone and Veramyst nasal spray’. Now, I take amoxcillin, amox-clav, singular and basic flonaise. I also have OTC sinus or congestion meds. I use a Neti pot often as the congestion starts building. I am influenced that this is related to allergy and I am trying to locate a doctor to identify my allergies.