Intense sinus pain is usually triggered by inflamed sinus cavities that place pressure in the head. Even though irritated sinuses might be the root of sinus pain, it can be accompanied by congestion. The usual causes of intense sinus pain without congestion include nasal polyps, deviated septum, sinusitis and TMJ joint issues.
Common causes of intense sinus pain
Deviated septum
A deviated septum is a deformity that disrupts with the ability to breathe and drainage of nasal mucus. The deformity is characterized by a crooked center wall of the nasal cavity.
The condition is due to the natural irregular formation during growth or from a facial injury. Depending on the seriousness of the deformity, it influences the degree of pain one experiences. In some cases, a deviated septum can trigger intense sinus pain without congestion and remedies with surgery.
Sinusitis
Remember that not all cases of sinus infections lead to congestion. A sinus infection develops if virus or bacteria gains access to the sinus cavity, resulting to inflammation. The inflamed sinuses places excessive pressure around the head, resulting to intense sinus pain which includes the ears, eyes and the forehead.
Nasal polyps
Nasal polyps are growths throughout the nasal cavity lining. These are usually non-cancerous but can vary in size. If the nasal polyps grow unreasonably, it can trigger significant pain without congestion.
An engorged nasal polyp can lead to deformities in the face such as flaring out of the eyes and nose. The polyps are managed with nasal steroid sprays to lessen the size but surgery might be necessary in severe cases.
TMJ issues
The TMJ issues can affect the connection points where the lower and upper jaw meets. This can trigger intense sinus pain if the bones rub against one another or becomes dislocated. The condition is usually triggered if an individual grinds his/her tooth while sleeping or during the day. In most cases, surgery is necessary to fix a damaged jaw.