Sinus Headaches Caused by Mountains

People who travel between vastly different elevations can experience severe sinus headaches due to the changing pressure. This is most commonly seen when people travel by airplane because of the constant cabin pressure changing. The same is true when traveling through mountains.

Symptoms

• A sinus headache caused by the mountains is a sharp, pin-like pain in the center of the forehead. The pain increases as the pressure increases, and subsides as the pressure decreases. It can grow from a dull pain into a severe migraine.

Cause

• These sinus headaches are the result of irritated or infected sinus cavities. Sinuses in their normal state are not affected by altitude change. If the sinuses are irritated or infected, they swell, placing excess pressure on the surrounding areas, producing a headache.

Prevention

• The best prevention is to take a decongestant one hour before entering the mountains. Continuing to take a decongestant for three days is recommended, giving the sinuses time to adjust.

Treatment

• Those experiencing such pain should take a pain reliever that is also an anti-inflammatory. The most common are ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin.

Complications

• If pain persists, it can lead to migraine headaches, fainting spells and pain in the ears, eyes and back of the neck.