What Is the Connection between Sinus Infection and Nausea?

Sinus infection and nausea might appear to be unrelated, but an infection can cause many symptoms, including nausea. Mucus draining from the sinuses is more likely to run down the back of the throat and into the stomach rather than through the nostrils. Excessive levels of mucus in the stomach can produce feelings of nausea.

Sinusitis, or a sinus infection, is an inflammation of the sinuses. As the membranes surrounding the sinuses swell, the sinuses are squeezed shut. Pressure from the swollen tissue and trapped mucus can cause a wide range of symptoms, including headache, post-nasal drip, fever and nausea.

Most often, sinusitis is caused by a respiratory infection or an allergic reaction. Any condition that causes inflammation of the sinus membranes can cause a sinus infection. When sinuses become swollen, mucus is unable to drain properly and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Some people are naturally more prone to sinus infection and nausea than other people are. Allergy sufferers and asthmatics are likely to experience regular inflammations. Individuals who have growths such as nasal polyps have less space available for inflammation, and less swelling is needed to block the sinuses. A deviated septum of cleft palate might cause similar vulnerability to these symptoms. Swimmers are more vulnerable as well, as are frequent flyers who regularly experience changes in air pressure.

Many of the symptoms of a sinus infection are quite general, and what appear to be a sinus infection with nausea might be another condition or conditions. Tension and anxiety, for instance, can result in an upset stomach and headache. Migraine headaches can be intense and might cause nausea as well. Chronic sinusitis, which involves regular or prolonged inflammation, is especially difficult to diagnose and might require imaging tests to confirm.

After a sinus infection has been diagnosed, treating them usually will require a visit to the doctor. The body does have a natural ability to fight infection, but if the infection is severe enough to cause nausea, consultation with a medical professional is recommended. Depending on the symptoms and severity, medical treatments are likely to include a combination of antibiotics, antihistamines, decongestants and corticosteroids. Cases of chronic sinus infection caused by bone spurs or polyps might require surgery.

For those more vulnerable to sinus infections, steps can be taken to limit the risk. Smoking not only irritates the sinus membrane but reduces the body’s ability to fight infection. When possible, known allergens should be avoided. Humidifiers might be useful, and inhaling steam a few times each day can help keep swelling down as well.

Nausea is never comfortable, but combining it with other sinus infection symptoms is downright miserable. You need to manage the inflammation and drainage as much as the upset stomach to find any relief. 

Over-the-counter medications can help, and some doctors might prescribe stronger products for chronic sinusitis. It’s important to note that antibiotics can make nausea worse and won’t treat a viral sinus infection, so you might want to try other avenues first. 

Home remedies have been known to alleviate nausea, settle an upset stomach, and help with other sinus infection symptoms. Some of the best options are to:

Using home remedies is something you can do at any stage of a sinus infection to find relief. It’s a good idea to keep supplies on hand if you suffer from chronic sinus pressure, sinusitis, and related nausea.

You might need to make some lifestyle changes if you experience chronic sinus infections and related nausea. 

If you experience chronic sinus infections with nausea, you might want to discuss your options with your physician. They might be able to prescribe additional medications or treatments to help you reduce the severity of symptoms.

Yes, a sinus infection can cause diarrhea and vomiting in some cases. The excess mucus can irritate the digestive system and cause diarrhea. Additionally, some medications prescribed for sinus infections can cause diarrhea.

It’s important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Warm broth and sports drinks are excellent options for staying hydrated and offsetting the taste of mucus in the back of your throat. 

While eating food often sounds terrible when you experience nausea, it can help alleviate some symptoms and help you rebound faster. Foods with high potassium and fiber content to help with your stools. Try bananas, potatoes, oatmeal, and rice.

Yes, postnasal drip can cause nausea. It is an overproduction of mucus due to allergies, asthma, the common cold, or sinusitis. The excess drainage can also cause bad breath, coughing, sore throat, and acid reflux. 

People don’t always experience nasal discharge with a sinus infection, but it’s uncommon. Sinus pressure comes from a buildup of mucus in the sinus cavities which eventually drains through the nasal passages. That said, sinus pressure does not necessarily indicate a sinus infection.

It’s entirely possible to have sinus pressure without drainage but still have nausea. The pain related to sinus pressure and headaches can be severe enough to cause dizziness and nausea.

Of note, sinus infections and headaches can be mistaken for migraines, which also cause nausea. Migraines and sinus headaches affect the same areas of the head and face. The symptoms are so similar that even physicians can’t always differentiate immediately. 

Headaches related to sinus pressure and infections typically last longer than migraines. Most migraine symptoms resolve within a day or two, while sinus-related headaches can last more than a week.