Menu Close

Sinus Headache

Headaches are associated with more than 300 known medical conditions. Sometimes they are caused by the disease, and sometimes the conditions. One of these conditions is sinusitis, which is commonly misdiagnosed. This is often confused with migraines. Sinus headache symptoms are often caused by full or inflamed sinuses.

Your sinuses are air-filled spaces inside your forehead, cheekbones, and behind the bridge of your nose. When they get inflamed — usually because of an allergic reaction or an infection — they swell, make more mucus, and the channels that drain them can get blocked.

The build-up of pressure in your sinuses causes pain that feels like a headache.

Sometimes a more serious condition is indicated by a sinus headache. A deviated septum is a genetic disorder that causes the sinus cavities to retain more fluid than they are supposed to. This is a type of sinusitis. If you are diagnosed with this disease, which can be corrected through surgical methods. Treating the symptoms of sinus headaches may be enough to get through the milder cases. Swelling and pain can be reduced by placing a hot or cold compress on the affected area. Various nasal sprays have also proven effective in treating this condition. Be careful not to exceed the recommended dosage, though, or you can actually make the condition worse.

Environmental factors may also contribute to sinus headaches symptoms. Air travel will often due to pressure changes involved. Allergens and stress can adversely affect the sinuses. Other factors such as weather can also affect the sinuses. Changes in humidity and air pressure can cause inflammation of the sinus cavities that in turn cause headaches.

When full sinus cavities are to blame for this problem, they usually disappear when the drainage of the sinuses. Steam inhalation can sometimes get the draining process began. If that fails, antibiotics are often necessary to reduce the liquid content in the breasts. If you have recurring sinus headaches, sit with your doctor to determine the best treatment for the symptoms of sinus headache options.

What is Sinus Headache ?

Sinusitis means your sinuses are inflamed. The cause can be an infection or another problem. Your sinuses are hollow air spaces within the bones surrounding the nose. They produce mucus, which drains into the nose. If your nose is swollen, this can block the sinuses and cause pain.

There are several types of sinusitis, including

  • Acute, which lasts up to 4 weeks
  • Subacute, which lasts 4 to 12 weeks
  • Chronic, which lasts more than 12 weeks and can continue for months or even years
  • Recurrent, with several attacks within a year

Acute sinusitis often starts as a cold, which then turns into a bacterial infection. Allergies, nasal problems, and certain diseases can also cause acute and chronic sinusitis.

The sinuses are located in several different places. These include behind the eyes and above the nose. The mucus and tissue in these cavities can be filled or irritated, causing much pain. Sometimes the cavities become so full that create the pressure, in turn, causes pain.

These headaches are called secondary headaches when caused by something like a common cold or some other existing medical condition. When the headache is the condition, known as primary headaches. These are also often caused by something else. Be careful not to select one that will actually worsen the effects. Paracetamol and aspirin are effective treatment options, but may be exceeded. MOH (medication overuse headache) is something that affects people that overuse of medications, either in-the-counter or prescription.

Your sinuses are air-filled spaces inside your forehead, cheekbones, and behind the bridge of your nose. When they get inflamed — usually because of an allergic reaction or an infection — they swell, make more mucus, and the channels that drain them can get blocked.

The build-up of pressure in your sinuses causes pain that feels like a headache.

Symptoms of Sinusitis headache

You’ll feel a deep and constant pain in your cheekbones, forehead, or the bridge of your nose. The pain usually gets stronger when you move your head suddenly or strain. At the same time, you might have other sinus symptoms, such as:

  • A runny nose
  • Feeling of fullness in your ears
  • Fever
  • Swelling in your face

Other kinds of recurring headaches, like migraines or tension headaches, are often mistaken for sinus headaches. Because the treatment you need depends on what kind of headache you have, it’s important to figure out if your symptoms are caused by your sinuses. If a sinus blockage, such as an infection, really is the cause, you’ll likely have a fever.

Causes of Sinusitis headache

Mucus helps keep your sinuses clean. But mucus may build up in the sinuses because of colds, allergies, or blockages. These things get in the way of the natural drainage of mucus. This may lead to sinusitis. Sinusitis means sinus inflammation and infection.

  • Acute sinusitis comes on suddenly. It often happens right after an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold. Viruses cause most acute sinus infections.
  • Chronic sinusitis is ongoing swelling of the sinus lining. Doctors don’t know what causes chronic sinusitis.

Colds and other infections

A cold or flu may cause your sinus and nasal linings to swell. Sinus openings can become blocked. This causes mucus to back up. This backed-up mucus becomes an ideal place for bacteria to grow. Thick, yellow, or discolored mucus is one sign of infection.

Allergic reactions

You may be sensitive to certain substances. This causes the release of histamine in the body. Histamine makes your sinus and nasal linings swell. Long-term swelling clogs your sinuses. It prevents the tiny hairs (cilia) in the nasal lining from sweeping away mucus. Allergy symptoms can continue over time. But they’re less severe than with colds.

Blockages

  • A polyp is a sac of swollen tissue. It can be the result of an allergy or infection. It may block the opening where most of your sinuses drain (middle meatus). It may even grow large enough to block your nose.
  • A deviated septum is when the thin wall inside your nose is pushed to one side. It’s often the result of injury. This can block your middle meatus.

People with chronic nasal problems or allergies are more likely to get acute sinusitis. Sinusitis is also more common if you have a weakened immune system, such as with HIV. You are also more likely to get sinusitis if you have cystic fibrosis or another condition that causes your body to make extra mucus.

Treatment of Sinusitis headache

The goal is usually to relieve your symptoms and treat an infection if you have one. You might take antibiotics, as well as antihistamines or decongestants for a short time. You can also use inhaled nasal decongestants, but only for up to 3 days. Longer use can make your symptoms worse.

You can also take pain relievers, or if they don’t help, your doctor can prescribe corticosteroids to ease the inflammation in your sinuses. If an allergic reaction causes your sinus flare-ups, you might need a preventive allergy treatment.

You can also feel better with simple at-home tricks, such as drinking more fluids, using a humidifier, or saltwater nasal spray.

If you take decongestant and pain-relieving medicines too often, you might get medication overuse headaches. It’s important to touch base with your doctor if you’re using any medication for a long time to relieve your headaches. Decongestants also can raise your blood pressure, so if you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor before you take one.

In rare cases, they may recommend sinus surgery to remove polyps or open up small or constantly swollen sinuses.