The Link Between Sinusitis and Headaches: What You Should Know

Sinus headaches are pretty common for patients dealing with sinusitis and sinus infections. They can be painful and could quickly and significantly take a toll on the quality of your life.

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Today, we will be taking a deep dive into what sinus headaches are and why headaches are prominent sinusitis symptoms.

Sinus Headaches: What Are They?

Sinus headaches are a dull pain behind the eyes, cheekbones, forehead, or the bridge of the nose; often associated with sinus infections. The headaches result from pressure build-up in the sinuses.

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When sinuses are inflamed and swollen due to an infection, there is often pressure associated with it, causing constant headaches. Mucus buildup and nasal congestion due to sinus inflammation also contribute to the headache.

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For the untrained eye, it might be difficult to distinguish between a sinus headache and a regular headache. Here are some common signs that let you know you have the former and not the latter:

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• The pain and pressure are specific to the areas behind your eyes, cheeks, forehead, or the bridge of your nose
• Sudden movements of the head make the headache worse
• The headache feels worse when you bend over or lie down
• In some cases, there is also pain in the teeth
• The headache starts when your sinuses are acting up
• There are associated sinus symptoms like runny nose and nasal congestion

Sinusitis and Headaches: What You Should Know

Headaches during a sinusitis flare-up are often linked to a sinus infection. These sinus headaches are a common symptom of sinusitis, along with other signs like nasal congestion, runny nose, postnasal drip, facial pain, and fatigue.

When your sinuses become infected, they swell, preventing mucus from draining as it normally would. This mucus buildup, combined with the inflammation, creates the perfect environment for a sinus infection to develop.

If you're experiencing sinus headaches, a healthcare provider can diagnose them through a physical examination, X-rays, or CT scans, confirming whether a sinus infection is the cause.

Leave Sinus Headaches at the Door: How to Relieve Symptoms

As we've established, sinus headaches are a symptom of sinusitis. To find relief from these headaches, it's essential to address the root cause—sinusitis. Once the sinus infection is treated, the associated sinus headache will also subside.

Antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection

To treat the sinus infection, your healthcare provider will do a thorough examination of your case and your symptoms. If the infection is due to bacteria, you might be put on a round of antibiotics. Antibiotics will not work for infections caused by viruses.

Sinusitis medications to manage the symptoms

There are also a variety of sinusitis medications available for treatment and managing symptoms. Decongestants help with nasal blockages and reduce the swelling of the sinus passages. Corticosteroids can help reduce sinus inflammation while antihistamines are an effective management medication for allergies. Many will also find pain relievers to be helpful in managing headaches and facial pain associated with sinusitis.

At-home approaches can also provide relief

Many of those who suffer from sinus infections find at-home approaches to be effective.Steam inhalation is an effective strategy to irrigate the nasal passages and achieve relief from  congestion. Applying a warm compress on painful areas of your face can ease pain and discomfort. Additionally, an indoor humidifier can moisturize the air and as a result can ease the dryness in your sinuses.

Consult with the experts at ENT & Allergy of New Orleans

If your case of sinus headaches doesn't seem to go away even with coping strategies and intervention, it might be time to consult with an expert. A consultation with an ENT specialist can help you get to the bottom of your problem and find necessary solutions to finally rid yourself of sinus infections and headaches.

‍Schedule an appointment with us and let us help you today!