Head pressure and dizziness: causes, treatment and more

Seasonal allergies, which doctors sometimes call allergic rhinitis, can cause feelings of pressure in the head and sinuses.

Some people also have symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, a sore throat, and generally feeling unwell. Any of these symptoms can cause dizziness, especially if a person feels very congested or develops sinusitis.

How to treat allergies

There are a number of treatments that can help relieve the symptoms of allergies. The first is to avoid allergens by staying indoors more often during allergy season or by using an air filter. Some people also find that wearing masks helps relieve allergy symptoms.

Taking allergy medication can also relieve symptoms. Immunotherapy, which exposes a person to very small amounts of the allergen to keep their body from overreacting, can also be helpful. People interested in a permanent allergy solution can ask a doctor for immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots.

Learn more about allergy medications here.

A headache that results from sinusitis can cause feelings of pressure in the head, especially near the front of the face and under the eyes. This happens because fluid collects in the sinuses, usually due to infection.

Some people also get dizzy, feel sick, or have lower energy levels.

How to treat sinusitis

Applying heating pads or hot compresses to the face can help. Some people may also find relief by taking allergy medications or over-the-counter pain relievers.

Antibiotics can process some sinus infections, but only if they are caused by bacteria. They cannot help with viral infections.

Some people can develop a chronic form of sinusitis which may require consultation with a specialist.

Learn more about home remedies for sinus pressure relief here.

Ear infections usually affect the middle ear, which is just beyond the eardrum. These infections are common in children. Sometimes an ear infection follows another illness, such as a sinus infection or the flu.

The middle ear becomes fluid to keep itself clean. This fluid should flow into the throat through an opening. However, if the throat swells, the opening swells. As a result, fluid builds up, which can be painful. It can then become infected.

Symptoms can come on suddenly and most people develop a fever. A person may also have pressure in the head, ringing in the ears, or dizziness.

How to treat an ear infection

Lying down with the aching ear facing up, with a heating pad on top, can help relieve the pain of an ear infection. This is because gravity helps the fluid from the ear to flow down the throat. Plus, the warmth of the cushion helps keep the drainage site open.

Taking over-the-counter pain relievers can also help relieve symptoms.

Antibiotics can help treat middle ear infections, especially in young children and people with weakened immune systems. However, draining the ear while lying on the correct side will help prevent the disease from recurring and prevent the eardrum from rupturing, which could occur due to a build-up of fluid.

Learn more about how to treat ear infections here.

Migraine is a neurological type headaches that occur when changes in the brain cause headaches and other unusual sensations.

Some people experience migraine as pressure to the head along with other neurological symptoms, such as:

• dizziness
• light sensitivity
• vomiting
• hearing unusual sounds
• see unusual lights

How to treat a migraine

Taking pain relievers can help relieve migraines, but people with chronic migraines should see a doctor. They may prescribe medications to prevent migraines and rule out other conditions.

The doctor may also recommend keeping a headache diary to help identify potential triggers.

Find out about migraine triggers and how to avoid them here.

A tension headache when arrives muscle tension radiates to the head. A person may also experience pain in the shoulder or neck.

Tension headaches tend to come on slowly, get worse over time and cause pain in the head and sometimes a feeling of pressure. Very severe tension headaches can also make a person feel dizzy.

How to treat a tension headache

Some people may find relief from tension headaches by applying hot or cold compresses to the neck or head, or by taking over-the-counter headache medications.

Chronic tension headaches occur when a person suffers from a tension headache for 15 or more days per month for at least 3 months. They sometimes occur when a person has underlying muscle problems, sits at a computer all day, or suffers from chronic stress. A doctor may be able to identify strategies to deal with these problems.

Check out 19 natural headache remedies here.

High blood pressure, especially a sudden change in blood pressure, can cause pain and pressure in the head, as well as dizziness.

Any type of pain, including that associated with headaches, can also cause high blood pressure. However, in this case, relieve the headache may not lead to lower blood pressure.

How to treat high blood pressure

It’s important to talk to a doctor about high blood pressure, as changes in behavior and taking medications, such as beta blockers, can help.

A person may find that managing stress or eating less salt can also help lower their blood pressure.

A home blood pressure reading with a systolic number (top) greater than 180 or a diastolic number (bottom) greater than 120 justifies a call to 911 or a trip to the emergency room.

Find out 15 ways to naturally lower blood pressure here.

When a person has intracranial hypertension, it means that there is a higher pressure of the fluid which cushions the brain. This can happen for a number of reasons, including:

• a serious head injury
• a cerebral vascular accident
• an infection or growth in the brain, including a brain tumor

A person may experience a chronic throbbing headache or neurological symptoms such as vision problems or difficulty concentrating. If this is the case, a person should contact a doctor, as these symptoms can be life threatening.

Some people develop intracranial hypertension for no clear reason. Doctors call it idiopathic intracranial hypertension (HIH). Making certain lifestyle changes, like losing weight, can help with IIH.

Learn more about increasing intracranial pressure here.

A person should contact a doctor if they:

• have an ear infection or ear pain that gets worse or does not improve within a few days
• have a headache that lasts for more than a day or have frequent headaches
• have severe allergies
• think they may have migraines
• have headaches that affect their mental health or daily functioning

A person should go to the emergency room if they have any of the following problems:

• a sudden, unexplained, very severe headache that makes it impossible to do further activity, as well as other symptoms, such as nausea or tingling
• stroke symptoms, such as numbness on one side of the body or a droopy face
• loss of consciousness, feeling very well, or worrying that their headache is an emergency

Some other symptoms that a person may notice with headaches and dizziness include:

• nausea
• tired
• a fever
• congestion or pain in the face
• sneeze
• panic or anxiety

The following symptoms can also occur, but they are more likely to signal an emergency:

• numbness on one side of the body
• confusion
• blurry vision
• arterial hypertension

When a headache or dizziness lasts a long time, it is more likely that a person has a chronic or serious illness, such as a migraine, pressure to the head from a tumor or infection, or cerebral lesion – brain-damage.

A person should avoid self-diagnosis and contact a doctor if concerned.

Learn more about persistent headaches here.

Some people develop a headache or dizziness after eating. This doesn’t necessarily mean the food caused the symptoms, so it’s important to look at other factors.

Sometimes, however, food poisoning, food sensitivities, and even overeating can cause dizziness and headaches, as well as stomach pain.

A person can also develop a headache after eating sugar.

Learn more about sugar-related headaches here.

Headaches can be very painful, but they are usually harmless. In most cases, a person can manage the symptoms at home.

However, when the headache is severe or lasts for a long time, it is important to contact a doctor. Receiving early treatment can improve the outlook, even for very serious illnesses.

A person should avoid self-diagnosis and instead seek an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment for symptoms of any severity affecting them.