The marketing of over-the-counter medications designed to treat these symptoms reinforce this belief.. However, sinus headache is not as common as you might think. How can you tell if you have migraine or sinus headache and get the treatment you need? Migraine is not just a bad headache. The American Migraine Foundation estimates that at least 39 million Americans live with migraine. However, many people do not get an accurate diagnosis or the treatment they need so the actual number is probably higher.
A true sinus headache, called rhinosinusitis, is rare. The cause is a viral or bacterial sinus infection characterized by thick, discolored nasal discharge. Facial pain and headache should resolve within seven days after viral symptoms improve or after successful treatment with antibiotics if a bacterial sinus infection is present.
If pain continues, then your diagnosis should be reconsidered. Research studies show common sinus symptoms occur with migraine. Migraine is also underdiagnosed and undertreated, meaning that a self-diagnosis of migraine is less likely. A study involving almost 3, patients was important in evaluating the frequent complaint of sinus headache.
In this study, the participants had at least six sinus headaches in the six months prior to entrance into the study. They had neither a migraine diagnosis nor treatment with a migraine-specific medication. These treatments may not work if the pain is very severe, or symptoms last for over a week, however. Breathing in steam can help to open up the nasal passages and sinuses, which may help to relieve pressure and pain:.
Research by the American Migraine Foundation found that a migraine is often mistaken for a sinus headache. There are different treatments for a migraine and sinus headaches, so it is important to get the correct diagnosis. If a person has symptoms of sinusitis followed by pain and pressure in the face, this is probably a sinus headache.
If a headache lasts for more than a week or is not cured by antibiotics, it may be a migraine. A person who has a migraine is likely to experience other symptoms that do not appear with a sinus headache.
Allergies, particularly hay fever , can cause headaches. A person experiencing a headache caused by an allergy will probably experience pain in the same area of the face as a sinus headache. A doctor or allergist should be able to find the cause of the allergy and suggest ways to manage and treat it. A person who experiences headaches regularly may have a medication headache.
This can happen when someone takes too many painkillers or uses pain relief medication for an extended period. Sinusitis is a primary cause of a sinus headache. Some forms of the condition can be severe if left untreated. This is because the sinuses are close to the brain and any infection could pass to the central nervous system.
If a sinus headache does not improve within a week, a person should seek medical advice. Sinus headaches are usually not serious and can often be treated at home. It is common for a person to mistake a migraine for a sinus headache. The two conditions require different treatment, so a person should consult a doctor if they have questions about their symptoms.
Headaches can affect people with diabetes because of high or low blood sugar. Over-the-counter medications can help, but people should see a doctor if…. Rapid swings in blood sugar levels from eating too much or too little sugar can sometimes cause headaches. Learn more with this article. Many people wake up with a headache in the morning. This can be due to anxiety, sleep problems, or another health issue.
Learn about causes and…. Sinus infections and sinus blockages can also trigger sinus headaches. Doctors often recommend letting sinus infects resolve on their own. You can connect to a primary care doctor in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool.
If you have a sinus headache, thinning out the congestion trapped in your sinuses may help. Try running a humidifier or irrigating your sinuses with a saline solution to cleanse the area. Breathing in steam may also help. Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the area of your sinuses may promote drainage and relieve pressure. You can also try to promote sinus drainage by gently pressing on your sinus pressure points. Start with the area at the bridge of your nose between your eyes, and either tap or apply continuous pressure for about one minute.
This might loosen blockage caused by trapped mucus in your sinuses. To promote drainage from your nose, press lightly on both sides of your nose at once before tipping your head forward and blowing your nose. If you push the area underneath your eyes at the top of your cheekbones in and up, you may also experience some pressure relief.
Analgesics, such as ibuprofen Advil and acetaminophen Tylenol , can dull the pain you feel from a sinus headache. They also may treat other symptoms, like an achy jaw or fever.
Oxymetazoline can cause rebound congestion after three days. If a sinus infection is causing your sinus headache, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines , mucolytics medications that clear your mucus , and decongestants. There are alternative treatments that may help relieve sinus headaches, too. A review paper in Alternative Medicine Review suggests bromelain, a mixture of enzymes found in pineapple juice, may thin nasal secretions.
The review also suggests that stinging nettle Urtica dioica may bring relief to cases of long-standing rhinitis. If you have reoccurring sinus headaches as a symptom of sinusitis or seasonal allergies, you may need to consider prescription medication to manage the condition.
Lifestyle changes to reduce congestion, such as avoiding allergens and incorporating aerobic exercise into your routine, might decrease how many headaches you get.
In cases of chronic sinusitis, a nasal surgery such as a balloon sinuplasty might be the only way to stop getting more sinus headaches.
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