Sinus Headache

Sinus headaches can happen when the sinuses or the mucous membranes become swollen or become clogged. They are located behind the forehead, behind the cheekbones, between the eyes, and behind the eyes. The sinuses are hollow spaces under the bones of the face that connect to the nose and throat. For example, many patients visit an ear, nose, and throat specialist to seek treatment for a sinus headache and learn they actually have a migraine or tension headache. Headaches can accompany sinusitis, a condition in which the membranes lining the sinuses become swollen and inflamed. When a sinus becomes inflamed, usually as the result of an allergic reaction, a tumor, or an infection, the inflammation will prevent the outflow of mucus and cause a pain similar to that of a headache. These germs could be viruses, bacteria, or even fungus. The pressure from this swelling inside the sinuses causes the headache. Headache, like chest pain or dizziness , has many causes. When sinus headaches caused by sinusitis do occur, proper diagnosis and treatment are the keys to relief.

You feel pressure around your eyes, cheeks and forehead. And your head is throbbing in sinus headache but don't jump to conclusions. The confusion is common, a migraine can cause irritation of the trigeminal or fifth cranial nerve (with branches in the forehead, cheeks and jaw). This may produce pain at the lower-end branches of the nerve, in or near the sinus cavity. Inflammation within the sinuses is called sinusitis The sinuses produce a thin mucus that drains out of the channels of the nose. The pressure from this swelling inside the sinuses causes the headache. Most of these sinus problems follow a cold or a sore throat. Some occur after a dental infection. Sometimes hay fever, or irritation from dust or smoke, are the reasons for the swelling. The sprays usually work better than the pills. Remember to read and carefully follow the directions and warnings on the labels. You should stop smoking and avoid other people's smoke and other irritants in the air. If you have sinus pain and a fever or foul smelling nasal discharge, call your healthcare provider. The detailed diagnosis and management of this complex problem falls within the view of the specialties of neurology, internal medicine, and family medicine. Often a headache management team is required to bring them under control.

Causes of Sinus Headache

The common Causes of Sinus-headaches :

• Allergy - such as hay fever
• Infection - such as the common cold
• Polyps - small growths

Symptoms of Sinus Headache

Some common Symptoms of Sinus-headaches :

• Fever.
• Facial swelling.
• Sneezing.
• Cough .
• Fatigue.
• Yellow or green discharge.
• Pain and pressure around the eyes, across the cheeks and the forehead.
• Achy feeling in the upper teeth.
• Sore throat.
• Itching in the eyes and nose.

Treatment of Sinus Headache

• Other medications to treat sinus infections include pain-relievers and vasoconstrictors (to decrease nasal congestion).
• Treatment might include antibiotics for the infection, as well as a short period of antihistamines (such as Benadryl) or decongestants (such as Sudafed) to treat the symptoms.
• Sinus pressure headaches caused by allergies are usually treated with decongestants and antihistamines. In difficult cases, nasal steroid sprays may be recommended.