A dull, deep, throbbing pain in the front of head and face is the major sinus headache symptom. It is important to know how sinus headaches are different and also symptoms and causes of it so that it could be treated well.
Sinus headaches are caused by some other condition, such as rule sinus congestion or a sinus infection (sinusitis) and so they are called as secondary type headaches. Sinuses are air-filled cavities (spaces) situated in your forehead, across your nose and in your face around the area of cheeks. The sinuses drains mucous out of the channels of the nose and circulate air throughout your nasal passages. They get inflamed generally as the result of an allergic reaction, a tumor, or an infection. The outflow of mucus will be prevented due to inflammation and responsible for a pain similar to that of a headache.
Symptoms of sinus headache are frequently characteristic and help to identify sinus problems and sinus congestion. Sinus headaches/facial pain or pressure of a dull, constant, or aching sort over the affected sinuses can be either acute or chronic. Typically, it is localized to the involved sinus and may worsen when the affected person bends down or when in the supine position. Sinus headaches frequently start while getting up in the morning, and may be better by afternoon. It is difficult to diagnose sinus headaches as symptoms are similar to tension headaches and migraines.
Sinus headaches can be easily differentiated with an examination by doctor. Usually, sinus headache is related with constant pain and tenderness over the affected sinus, a deep dull ache, and inflated by head movements or straining. Including sinus pain, nasal symptoms are also prominent, which is generally escorted by other symptoms of sinus disease for example nasal discharge, ear sensations or fullness, and facial swelling. Tension headaches and migraines can cause similar symptoms but many times fever is also present along with sinus headache symptoms especially if an individual suffers from a sinus infection or other underlying cause.
Causes of Sinus headache:
Sinus headaches are caused by sinus congestion and inflammation (called sinusitis). Sinusitis can be caused by either a respiratory infection (such as a cold or flu) or allergies (like hay fever) or problems with the structure of the nose, or a weakened immune system. On inflammation, areas around the sinuses get blocked and mucus cannot drain. Blocked sinuses provide a place for bacteria, viruses, and fungus to live and grow rapidly. Sinusitis can be caused by anything that prevents the sinuses from draining the mucus. Then, sinuses experience pressure changes and it resulted in headache.
Symptoms of Sinus Headache:
Sinus headache is escorted by a slow and constant pain which is recognized by pressure around the eyes, face, forehead and cheeks.
Sinus headaches generally have these symptoms:
- Pain is felt while bending, leaning forward and while blowing the nose.
- The facial skin becomes tender around the eyes and cheekbones.
- Sudden movements of the head tend to aggravate the pain.
- The headache is aggravated during damp and cold weather conditions.
- Nasal congestion if followed by inflammation and swelling of the nasal passages.
- There is a general feeling that one is unwell known as malaise.
- Sinus headache also results in fatigue.
- Headache often starts when you have a bad cold or just after
- The accumulation of mucus in the nostrils gives a running nose and worsens the pain in the mornings.
- Temperature variations such as moving from a cold room to a warm one cal also increase the pain.
- Running nose with sore throat known as pharyngitis often occurs with sinus headache.
Other symptoms may be related to sinus inflammation (sinusitis):
- Postnasal drip with sore throat (pharyngitis)
- A yellow or green colored nasal discharge flows from the nose.
- Mild to moderate fever
- Red and swollen nasal passages (nasal congestion)
Risk Factors:
- Frequent swimming and/or diving
- Climbing or flying to high altitudes
- History of allergies (especially hay fever) or asthma
- Nasal polyps (swellings in the nasal passage), nasal bone spurs, nasal or facial tumor, deviated septum, or cleft palate
Sinus Headache Symptoms warning of complications:
As the sinuses are located close to the eyes and the brain, very severe infections may infrequently spread to these structures leading to serious complications. Swelling and congestion of the eyes, deep-seated eye pain and diminishing eyesight are the symptoms which must be watch out. When the infection spreads to the brain, it may cause abscess or meningitis and the signs to be cautious of are severe headache with vomiting, fever and neck rigidity.
If any of these symptoms are appeared, immediate consultation with a doctor is essential. Sometimes, sinus problems are caused by fungal infections which have to be cured differently. They can be diagnosed and treated correctly by watching out sinus headache symptoms.
Diagnosis:
If your condition lasts longer than ten days, seek medical treatment. In order to distinguish sinus headaches from migraines or tension headaches, the doctor will ask you questions about your health and frequency and severity of your headaches. Physical examination is also carried out by your doctor for inflammation. To see further up into the cavity, an endoscope may be inserted into your nasal passages. Sometimes, CT or MRI will be used to study the images of your sinuses. To identify the signs of an infection caused by bacteria or fungus, the doctor may also test the mucus from inside your nose.
Sometimes, a specialist known as an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor or an otolaryngologist is essential. To look at your sinuses, this specialist may carry out a nasal endoscopy using a fiber optic scope.
Treatment:
To treat the underlying sinus inflammation is the best way to avoid or get rid of a sinus headache. Several dietary supplements and herbs may help to prevent colds and flu or shorten their duration.
Lifestyle changes:
Following changes can help to reduce congestion in your sinuses:
- Using a saline nasal spray
- Using a humidifier
- Quickly treating allergic and asthma attacks
- Inhaling steam 2 – 4 times per day (for example, sitting in the bathroom with the shower running)
Other techniques that might help include:
Relaxation techniques
Stretches for the head and neck
Medications:
If your doctor suspects you have a bacterial infection, he or she may prescribe antibiotics. You may take from 10 – 14 days of antibiotics to treat acute sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis may take longer time generally 3 – 4 weeks to treat.
Nasal corticosteroids: Decrease inflammation of the nose and help to relieve sneezing, itching, and runny nose. They are most effective at decreasing symptoms.
- Beclomethasone (Beconase)
- Fluticasone (Flonase)
- Mometasone (Nasonex)
- Triacinolone (Nasacort)
Antihistamines: They are short acting and can relieve mild to moderate symptoms by blocking the release of histamine in your body.
- Over the counter antihistamines include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), clemastine (Tavist). These older antihistamines have sedative effect. A newer antihistamine, Loratadine (Claritin) does not cause drowsiness.
- Prescription antihistamines: These medications are longer-acting and are generally taken once a day. They include fexofenadine (Allegra) and cetrizine (Zyrtec).
Decongestants: They are frequently used with antihistamines.
Surgery and Other Procedures:
Your doctor may recommend endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic sinusitis. These surgical procedures for sinuses are carried out by an ENT specialist.
Warnings and Precautions:
If you experience the following symptoms, you should seek emergency medical attention:
- Chronic or severe headaches that begin after age 50
- Headaches escorted by fever, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting (may indicate meningitis)
- Sudden and severe headache that persists or increases in intensity over 24 hours
- A sudden, severe headache that you describe as “your worst ever,” even if you are prone to headaches
- Headaches escorted by memory loss, confusion, loss of balance, change in speech or vision, or loss of strength in or numbness/tingling in any one of your limbs
- Severe headache localized to one eye, escorted by redness of the eye (may indicate acute glaucoma)
Herbal Remedy for Sinus Headaches video from Youtube:
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