Sinus Pressure & Pain: Causes, Symptoms & Relief

Question
Hello,

I believe I have some sinus pressure, (lots of pressure behind the bridge of my nose, with some headache all on the left side of my head)
I have a few questions.  I read that with a sinus pain there is usually congestion or sinus drip, I do not really have any drip, slight runny nose but only now and then, and I can breath through my nose fine.. so question 1 is can you have sinus pain and pressure without nasal congestion?  but I have a question about congestion, can you still breath fine through your nose with congestion?
my second question is what can I do to relieve this pressure?  (I do take lexapro and seroquel) so I am not sure what I can take with those meds.

Thank you so much
Carrie C

Answer
Yes, you can have sinus allergies or a sinus infection without nasal discharge.  The sinus' are cavities inside the face, with little openings called ostia, that open into the nasal passages.  If those little ostia become blocked by infection or swelling from allergies, then the fluid produced in the cavities gets trapped.  If it gets infected, then you have a true sinus infection.  What you should try is Afrin nasal spray, twice  a day for three days.  Even though you can breath, the Afrin sprays across those ostia and can open them and let out the fluid, releasing the pressure/pain feeling.  You can't use Afrin long term because it will damage the tissue and cause worse problems, but using it for 3-5 days is OK.  If you start draining yellow, green, bloody drainage, then you will need antibiotics in addition to the Afrin.  If the Afrin works, then it comes back, you may need a nasal steroid spray to help with the allergies that are blocking the sinus.

Hope this helps.....