Common Surgeries For Chronic Sinusitis
If surgery is necessary, an ENT doctor will likely suggest an endoscopy or balloon sinuplasty. During an endoscopy, theyâll insert a thin and flexible tube in your nose so they can identify exactly where your sinuses are blocked and remove the scar tissue and polyps. Since there is no cutting of the skin, endoscopy often leads to a speedy recovery.
In the event an ENT doctor doesnât have to remove anything from your sinuses, they may perform a balloon sinuplasty where they place a thin tube with a balloon in your nose. The balloon will inflate and relieve congestion while improving draining.
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How Long Does A Sinus Headache Last And Do Sinus Headaches Go Away On Their Own
Sinus headaches caused by sinus infections can last up to two weeks or more, depending on the severity of your sinus infection. Although some sinus infections go away on their own, leaving a sinus infection untreated comes with potential complications, including the spread of the infection, loss of smell, and in extreme cases, meningitis and brain abscess.
Can You Have Sinus Pressure But No Congestion
Can you have sinus pressure but no congestion? And if you can, does this mean you have a sinus infection that requires special treatment? If not, exactly what can mimic a sinus infection?
Unfortunately, the answers to this slippery slope of questions arent always so cut and dry. In particular, with a headache like this, theres a chance that its not a sinus headache, but a migraine. The treatment and causes of a migraine and sinus pressure are very different, but the symptoms can overlap significantly. These overlapping symptoms can lead to confusion and leave people at a loss for which types of treatment to pursue.
If youre feeling sinus pressure without the typical influx of mucus, heres what you need to know.
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How Does A Sinus Headache Differ From A Migraine
Its easy to confuse sinus headaches and migraines. In fact, some people think that they have a sinus headache when they are actually experiencing a migraine. You might talk to a doctor about migraine treatment, then find out that the sinuses are actually the root cause.
The best way to determine whether you have a migraine or sinus infection is by paying attention to the way your sinuses are responding. When congestion and nasal issues occur with the pain, its a good indication that treating the sinuses will clear up the headache.
On the other hand, migraines are often associated with other symptoms that arent common for sinus headaches: dizziness, vomiting, nausea, and sensitivity to sound and light. When these symptoms are present, you are likely having a migraine attack, not a sinus headache.
What Are The Causes And Triggers Of Sinus Headaches
Sinus headaches are most often a symptom of sinusitis, in which the sinus becomes inflamed from allergies or other triggers like an infection. Sinus headaches may also result from seasonal allergies that last an extended period of time. This is called rhinitis, or hay fever. Sinus infections and sinus blockages can also trigger sinus headaches.
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Apart from a headache, the sinus infection can even sometimes create congestion that can exist for around a week. It can result in a thick, discoloured mucus along with tooth or facial pain.
Tip: Did you know infections such as sinusitis can cause body muscle aches? Follow the tips in the article to get rid of such muscle aches.
Your Sinus Headache May Not Be What You Think
Nearly everyone experiences a headache at some point, and the pain can range from mild to debilitating.
Sometimes, headaches are accompanied by pain and pressure in your brow and forehead, and cause nasal symptoms. Many people associate sinus and nasal symptoms with a sinus infection, also called sinusitis, or with an upper respiratory infection, a cold. They may say that they are experiencing a sinus headache. But sinus and nasal symptoms often can signal something else: a migraine headache.
The term “sinus headache” is not an actual medical diagnosis. Studies show that 90% of people with symptoms of a sinus headache are experiencing migraine headaches.
Sinusitis or migraine?
Migraines and headaches from sinusitis are easy to confuse because the signs and symptoms of the two types of headaches may overlap. Also, migraine headaches affect people differently and symptoms can change over time. This is why many who have had migraine headaches in the past are surprised when they begin having sinus and nasal symptoms with a migraine headache.
Sinusitis, however, usually isn’t associated with nausea or vomiting, nor is it aggravated by noise or bright light all common features of migraines.
Previous misdiagnosis
These are a few ways you can tell whether your sinus and nasal symptoms are part of a sinus infection or part of a migraine headache:
Risk factors
Proper diagnosis
- Confusion or trouble understanding speech
- Fainting
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Sinus Pressure May Also Be Known As
- Sinus headache
- Sinus pain
Solv has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
- Healthline. How to Relieve Sinus Pressure.
- Everyday Health. Natural Sinus Pain and Pressure Relief.
- National Library of Medicine. Common Cold.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu Symptoms.
- National Library of Medicine. Sinusitis.
- National Library of Medicine. Allergy.
- American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Fungal infections.
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Sinus Migraine: When Sinus Pain Is More Than A Headache
You have a headache. It extends over your eye and you have pressure in your face. Your nose even runs a little. You take some Sudafed or ibuprofen, tell everyone you have a sinus headache or even a sinus migraine, and lay down for a while. Two or three hours later you are better. You might have a little residual soreness and you might be a little tired, but the worst of the headache is over. Youve just had a sinus headache or was it?
You could have had a migraine that isnt even related to any sinus issues and not realize it. You felt sinus pain and pressure, so your mind automatically went to sinus headache. Your doctor may even have told you it was sinus related and the subject of migraines never came up. It happens a lot more than you might think. In fact, nearly 90% of patients who visit their doctor and complain of sinus headache actually have a migraine or migraine-type headache.
This is an easy misdiagnosis, but its important to get it right because sinus-related headaches and straight-up migraines are treated differently. For a sinus headache, a decongestant could be key. But if youre having a migraine, you might benefit most from a simple pair migraine glasses like these, or other remedies that are designed for migraine.
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Sinus Headache Or Tmj Migraine: How To Tell The Difference
Weve all had bad headaches from time to time. The pain can be so intense that you cant seem to imagine anything worse.
And then you have a migraine episode that seems to take the pain to the next level. In addition to the pounding headache, your cheeks and teeth seem to ache, too.
Unfortunately, some people have headaches like this on a regular basis. Theyve tried to treat it with over-the-counter remedies, but these can just be Band-Aid solutions.
The reason for this is because painkillers arent treating the main source of the problem which could be structural or mechanical.
The above symptoms the pounding head, achy teeth, and tender cheeks arent signs of a typical headache. They could be signs of a sinus headache or a TMJ migraine.
In order to successfully treat the problem, we have to identify the root cause. First we need to discern the difference between these types of head pain.
Seasonal Allergies And Hay Fever
Seasonal allergies can even become the primary cause of sinus inflammation. Allergies can cause blockage of drainage containing the regular sinus aspect and also predispose any person to the development of sinus infections.
Any person can experience sinus irritation or congestion during the hay fever season. The pollen count can jump even high during the season, and the exposure to allergens is even high, like the mould or animal dander.
It is necessary to see the doctor for treatments to alleviate symptoms.
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Causes And Symptoms Of Sinus Headaches
Causes of a real sinus headache are an infection in your sinuses known as sinusitis. It may feel like the following:
- Pressure and fullness in your cheeks, forehead, and brows.
- Pain
- Ache in your your upper teeth
- Swollen or puffy face
Sinusitis usually occurs after a respiratory viral infection or cold. There is normally a thick discolored mucus, a reduced sense of smell, and in a nutshell, with a sinus headache your whole face hurts.
You may develop a sinus headache from the common cold, a deviated septum where there is not sufficient air flow to help drain the mucus from your sinuses, seasonal allergies which cause congestion and mucus, and nasal polyps which also prevent mucus from draining properly.
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Sinus Pain Has A Variety Of Causes
If your head is throbbing and you feel pressure around your eyes, cheeks, or forehead, you could have a sinus headache. Many factors can cause a sinus headache, says Subinoy Das, MD, chief executive officer and interim medical director for the U.S. Institute for Advanced Sinus Care and Research in Columbus, Ohio. The most important factor is swelling of the lining of the nose and sinuses, causing pressure and pain on in the face and head.
Symptoms of sinus pain and headache include pain associated with congestion from a common cold or allergies pain around your eyes, forehead, or over your teeth pain that is worse in the morning and pain that gets worse when you bend over. Some of the more natural methods of relieving sinus pain that reduce swelling, thin mucus secretions, and improve sinus drainage are often very helpful.
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What Are The Best Sinus Headache Treatments
If youre suffering from headaches, they could have several different causes, including congestion in your sinuses. You may feel pain and pressure in your face due to sinusitis , and the first step toward effective treatment is an accurate diagnosis.
In this blog, board-certified ear, nose, and throat specialist Dr. Cecil Yeung will explain more about these types of headaches as well as sinus headache treatment.
Sinus Anatomy And Headaches
Sinuses are air-filled cavities located in your forehead, above your teeth, between your eyes, and behind your nose.
The sinuses are lined with a mucous membrane that has tiny hairs called cilia. The cilia move mucus, a sticky, gelatinous material produced by the mucous membrane, out of the sinuses and into your nose for drainage. Along the way, the mucus traps bacteria and other germs that can cause infection, and moves them out of the respiratory system.
When the linings of the sinuses and the inside of your nose become swollen from allergy or infection, fluid can build up. When that happens, bacteria can grow in the fluid and cause an infection. The congestion and infection can produce intense sinus pressure and facial and head pain.
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How To Get Rid Of A Sinus Pressure Headache
If you suffer from allergies, you may have congested sinuses as well, and this can lead to a sinus pressure headache. If youre wondering how to get rid of a sinus pressure headache, the first thing you need to understand is that these types of headaches can have several causes. Consequently, sinus headaches have a few different remedies.
Treatment Options For Sinus Headaches
Treatment for sinus headaches is typically used to relieve symptoms and treat any underlying sinus infections. If an infection is present, Dr. Sunil Ummat typically prescribes antibiotics to treat the infection with an antihistamine or decongestant for symptoms. It is important to note that taking decongestants without an actual sinus headache could make symptoms worse. Patients must take the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if they feel better after a few doses. This is because the infection may not be fully under control, even if symptoms start to disappear.
Along with antibiotics and medication to treat symptoms, analgesics like aspirin and ibuprofen, vasoconstrictors, and sometimes corticosteroids may be prescribed. If sinus problems are allergy-related, then preventative allergy medication including a nasal spray may be recommended and prescribed by the doctor.
Additional aspects of the chronic sinus headache treatment protocol often include keeping the homes air warm and moist with a humidifier, since dry air can trigger symptoms in patients with sinusitis. Warm compresses often can provide pain relief in the nose and sinuses. Saline drops for the nose may also be recommended to relieve dryness and reduce discomfort.
If these treatments are unsuccessful, Dr. Sunil Ummat may recommend endoscopic sinus surgery as a good option to relieve sinus problems long-term.
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Are There Any Potential Long Term Effects Of Sinus Congestion And The Ears
If sinus congestion is not treated, the symptoms will continue to bother you, making you unnecessarily miserable by the day. Unless the root cause of the problem is taken care of, the ear pain will persist and may even develop into tinnitus and/or partial hearing impairment. It is very important to ensure the proper functioning of the Eustachian tubes for optimal hearing.
The Lowdown On Stressed Sinuses
A flare-up of seasonal allergies, called hay fever, causes stuffy noses and irritated sinuses. But allergy sufferers will notice mainly that they have a runny nose with clear output and itchy, watery eyes. Their symptoms are also often tied to certain times of year and specific allergens like animal dander, dust, pollen or mold.
If youre plugged up with thick mucus thats green or yellow, you could have an infection. Sinus infectionswhether caused by bacteria or a viruscan also bring along other symptoms like mild headache, fatigue, weakness or a cough. Viruses are far more likely to be the cause of sinus infections. Certain symptoms increase the probably of bacterial sinusitis:
- Persistent sinusitis symptoms for longer than 10 days, especially with double worsening. This means symptoms start to improve and then get worse a few days later.
- A fever, especially a high one over 102 .
- Asymmetric pain in one or more sinus areas. These include under or above the eyes and above the bridge of the nose.
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What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor
How To Spot The Difference Between Migraines & Sinus Headaches
If you have a runny nose, watery eyes and your head hurts, you might assume that you have a sinus headache. But studies show that about 90% of self-diagnosed sinus headaches are actually migraine.
Theres a belief that sinus headache is a common illness. The marketing of over-the-counter medications designed to treat these symptoms reinforce this belief.. However, a sinus headache is not as common as you might think.
How can you tell if you have migraine or sinus headache and get the treatment you need? Lets start by defining migraine and sinus headache.
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Can Sinus Infections Lead To Ear Infections
Yes. A sinus infection can cause fluid to be trapped in the ear behind the eardrum. Bacteria and viruses can grow and can cause an ear infection. Its especially important to get to the doctor if youre feeling pain or pressure in the ear.
When you have a sinus issue, its important to understand that the nose and sinuses are a unit. This means you could be dealing with rhinosinusitis, which is inflammation of the nasal and sinus cavities. Sinusitis refers to an infection of the sinuses only.
There are many reasons why the nose and sinuses become inflamed it can be an anatomical issue or an infectious one. A former injury or birth defect, as well as sensitivities to allergens can cause some of the physiological impairments that lead to sinus issues.
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