Sinus headaches are the result of congested passages of air-filled passages in your forehead, nose, and cheeks. They can occur on either side of your head causing a sharp pain in your head and the entire sinus area. Sinus headaches may be a sign of a serious condition called sinusitis. If they happen occasionally or in specific seasons, they are likely due to allergic reactions. Many different reasons can trigger the headaches in different individuals. Luckily, there are equally many alternatives to treatment of the headaches.
Overview
Sinuses are the air-filled spaces inside your forehead, cheekbones, and bridge of your nose. These are sensitive parts of your system easily irritated by various foreign intrusions. Various allergens cause inflammation of the sinus area causing them to swell, release more mucus, and blocking the draining channels. When there is build-up of pressure in your sinuses, you will experience the familiar sharp pain in your head that lingers until the allergens are eliminated.
Sinus Headache Causes
Like migraines and tension headaches, sinus headaches are associated with pain and pressure in the face. However, since they are caused by infections and viruses inhaled, they should not be treated with antibiotics. Prevalence ranges with various conditions. For example, some people have a long history of migraines and headaches and are likely to be affected by sinus headaches too.
Hormonal changes associated with headaches are associated with headaches. It is therefore, imperative to visit a doctor who will determine the accurate causes and help you to prevent further occurrences.
Symptoms of Sinus Headaches
The most familiar feeling is a deep and constant pain in your cheekbones, forehead and the bridge of your nose. This pain will be getting stronger with sudden head movement or strain. It worsens when you are engaged in tiring activities. Regardless of the cause of the reaction, the symptoms are; pain, pressure and fullness in your upper cheekbones, brown and forehead.
The main symptoms experienced by most people include;
- A runny nose
- A feeling of fullness in your ears
- Swelling in your face
The pain in your head worsens when you lean forward. You may also experience green or yellow nasal discharge after periods of uncomfortable pressure behind your forehead. In extreme cases, patients experience fatigue or an aching upper jaw. If you are light-skinned, you may notice redness of the nasal area as the entire region swells and inflames.
The symptoms of sinus headaches may be mistaken for other issues such as migraines or tension headaches. Figuring out the exact cause of pain in your head is critical so you will use the appropriate solutions for treatment. Even before you visit your doctor, you can make a judgment based on the cause of the symptom. For example, a sinus blockage caused by allergens will result in a fever. Your doctor will also tell if your sinuses are blocked by focusing on the description of the symptoms, you describe apart from the physical exam. In some extreme cases, you may need CT or MRI scans.
Persistent Symptoms
If you experience persistent symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Here are some reasons why you should see a doctor.
- More than 15 days of headaches every month are a serious sign that needs require attention. If the symptoms require regular use of the over-the-counter pain relievers, you should seek other alternative. If you continue with the use of the pain relievers, you might exceed the normal levels and overuse them. This puts you at high risk of experiencing rebound headaches. Rebound headaches are common in people who rely on pain relievers because they develop discomfort when the effect of the drugs wears away.
- If over-the-counter solutions do not relieve the pain, it is wiser to seek the doctor’s advice rather than trying other variety of drugs.
- Finally, if the pain is too severe to allow you to proceed with your daily activities, you probably need to see a doctor. For example, if you are missing school or work due to too much discomfort to leave your bed, find professional assistance to your problem as early as possible.
Sinusitis And Migraines
It is easy for patients to confuse the signs and symptoms of these two types of headaches. The signs and symptoms of the two conditions overlap make them difficult to separate. For example, both sinusitis and migraine headache worsen when the victim bends forward or bows. Like sinus headaches, migraines also cause congestion, facial pressure, and nasal discharge. However, nasal discharge from migraine pain is clear and watery in contrast to think yellow mucus occurring in sinusitis.
So close are the signs that almost 90% of patients visiting the hospital for sinus headaches are diagnosed with migraines instead. This means that you may be suffering from migraine and all the time think that it is sinusitis. It is therefore, important to seek medical attention as quickly as possible rather than ignoring or assuming it away.
The biggest distinguished factor is that sinus headaches are not accompanied by nausea or vomiting. With sinus headaches or more extreme conditions of sinusitis, there will not be aggravation of noise and bright light. Sensitivity to noise and light are symptoms of migraines but absent in sinus headaches. These headaches last longer than migraines. While migraines take between a few hours to at most, a day, sinus headaches take several days.
Sinusitis occur due to a viral upper respiratory infection. They are easily recognizable by their quick discharge of thick discolored nasal mucus, poor sense of smell, and pain in the cheek or upper teeth. The resultant headaches.
Sinus Headache Treatment
The goal of treatment in sinus headaches is to relieve the symptoms and eliminate the infection causing it. Antihistamines and decongestants are vital solutions. The alternatives such as inhaled nasal decongestants should be used for a short time. Using them for more than 3 days more cause more complications and make the pain worse. Most people only use pain relievers, which may only work for mild problems. Easing the inflammation in the sinuses requires corticosteroids prescriptions. For allergic reactions causing the sinus congestion, you will need preventive treatment alternatives.
Home solutions such as drinking more fluids, using a humidifier, or saltwater nasal sprays can be quick and safe alternatives. Home solutions are best for the long term because they are safe and do not come with side effects. If you have been using medication for a long time, sudden changes to your options is not recommendable. In such cases, reveal to your doctor your medical history and explain how you have been treating the sinus headaches. Sudden changes in your medication may cause rapid changes in your blood pressure. In the extreme cases, sinus surgery to remove polyps will be recommended.
Prevention and Care
Preventive medications are essential but so is a lifestyle change to help reduce the likelihood and severity of headaches. If you develop a good habit, you may succeed in reducing sinus reactions. Establishing a daily routine with regular sleep patterns and appropriate time for meals is essential. Finding a way to avoid stress will also help keep you safe from headaches. Here are some suggestions.
Avoid Triggers
Identify the allergens you easily react to and avoid them. They range from foods and beverages such as caffeine and alcohol. Tobacco is also known to increase headaches. These are among the most common triggers the doctor will be asking you to avoid.
Regular Exercise
Frequently exercising will help you stay away from tension. This is a good way of reducing the likelihood of the headaches that are catalyzed by stress. According to the doctors’ recommendation, you may choose aerobics, walking, swimming or biking. Before exercises, you need to warm up because sudden intense exercise causes headaches. Obesity is also a major contributor to headaches. Regular exercise to reduce the risk of obesity will help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce the headaches.
Reduce the Effects of Estrogen
Headaches are more common in women than in men. Estrogen makes them worse. If you are taking medications with estrogen, you will be experiencing sustained headaches. It is therefore, important to reduce the doses of hormone replacements or birth control pills.