What Are Sinus Headaches?

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell what type of headache you are experiencing, as symptoms can overlap. Sinus headaches occur when your nasal turbinates swell, which gives the feeling of congestion or pressure. If you suffer from allergies, they may be more common during a season that flares your allergies.

Symptoms

• Some common symptoms of a sinus headache include pain (often times dull or throbbing) and pressure around your cheeks and forehead, tender face, pain that worsens with bending or laying, fatigue, sensitivity to sudden temperature shifts and occasionally nausea (due to drainage from sinuses in the back of your throat). You may often be experiencing symptoms of sinusitis (inflammation of your sinuses) including sore throat, congestion, fever and green/yellow nasal discharge.

Screening

• Your doctor may want to do a few tests to rule out other types of headaches. Sinus films (X-ray), CT scans and MRIs are a very common indicator. Other ways include pressing gently on your sinuses to see if they are tender or examining your nasal passages with a lighted tube (endoscope).

Causes

• Common causes include colds, infections, allergies, a compromised immune system, obstruction of the nasal cavity (such as nasal polyps) and frequent swimming.

Treatments

• Common treatments target the underlying inflammation and can include nasal spray, decongestants, antihistamines, a menthol-based inhaler, antibiotics, nasal corticosteroids and Tylenol to treat infection and congestion. Some severe cases require endoscopic sinus surgery.

Prevention/Solution

• Using a humidifier, using saline nasal spray, inhaling steam, relaxing and having acupuncture may help alleviate minor symptoms or prevent future attacks.