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Does Ibuprofen Work For Sinus Headaches

Which Sinus Headache Medicine Should I Use

Advil Sinus Congestion & Pain

by Dr. Paul Young MD | Sep 30, 2018 | Sinus

If you notice pain or pressure behind your eyes around your sinuses, you may be suffering from a sinus headache. Frequent sinus headaches are certainly a cause for concern, and if you find yourself constantly congested, you should visit an ENT to discover the real root of the problem.

However, in the meantime, you can turn to over-the-counter drugs for a bit of temporary relief. Below, well discuss the three common types of sinus headache medicine and how they can help.

What Kind Of Doctor Or Other Healthcare Professional Treats Sinus Headache

  • Frequently, sinus headaches are managed by primary care physicians including those that specialize in internal medicine, family medicine, or pediatrics.
  • For complicated cases, an ear, nose, and throat specialist may be consulted.
  • With unusual infections, such as fungal infections, a specialist in infectious diseases may be consulted.

Heart Attack And Stroke

  • Risk factors: History of heart problems | Taking high doses of ibuprofen/phenylephrine | Taking ibuprofen/phenylephrine for a long time | History of or planned heart surgery

Since ibuprofen/phenylephrine contains ibuprofen , it can raise your risk of blood clots, which can cause a heart attack or stroke. Try to take the lowest dose for the shortest time. If you have heart problems, talk to your healthcare provider before starting this medication. Don’t take ibuprofen/phenylephrine if you had, or will have, heart surgery. Call 911 or seek immediate help if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness on one side of your body, or trouble speaking or walking.

Also Check: Best Medicine To Take For Sinus Infection

If Your Sinus Headache Wont Go Away Call Kaplan Sinus Relief

Dr. Michael Kaplan of Kaplan Sinus Relief is a leading practitioner of the balloon sinuplasty treatment, and he often trains other doctors on the technique. Patients who visit Kaplan Sinus Relief also have the option to add IV Sedation and/or TGS image-guided navigation to their surgery, which are services that help keep patients relaxed during the surgery and improve accuracy and safety, respectively.

You dont have to put up with a sinus headache that wont go away. Kaplan Sinus Relief can help you find relief from sinus headaches, congestion, and more. Call 713-766-1818 or request an appointment online today.

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What Are Some Options For Sinus Headache Treatment

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You can try some at-home lifestyle remedies, including drinking more fluids, using a humidifier or vaporizer to moisten the air, and using a saltwater nasal spray. You may also want to try applying a warm, wet towel to your face to help provide some relief.

In addition, the following are some common types of sinus headache treatment:

  • Antihistamines These can help if your sinus headaches are caused by allergies, since they reduce or block histamines and help reduce inflammation and swelling. They are available over-the-counter and also by prescription and come in tablet or nasal spray form.
  • These oral or nasal medications can help reduce the amount of swelling and mucus in your nasal passages. They shouldnt be used in the long-term, however.
  • Nasal steroid sprays These are available by prescription or over the counter and can help reduce pain and congestion.
  • Antibiotics These can be used if your doctor thinks your sinusitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Most infections, however, are viral, and if this is the case, antibiotics wont help.
  • Pain medication Medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen sodium can be used.

If medications dont improve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery depending on the exact cause of your sinusitis and sinus headaches. The goal of surgery is to correct the underlying issue to provide long-term relief.

Surgical options can include the following:

Also Check: Can A Sinus Infection Cause Flu Like Symptoms

Solutions For Dry Air

Dry air can irritate your sinuses, so ensuring it isn’t too dry can be helpful. You can use a humidifier or vaporizer to increase the humidity in your home. Other ways to benefit from using water include soaking a towel in warm water and holding it over your face for a few minutes. You can also use a saline solution nasal spray for the same purpose.

Where Are Your Sinusesand What Is Sinus Pressure

When it comes to sinus pressure, it’s essentially swelling in your sinuses in response to three different scenarios: a pressure change between the air inside your sinuses and the air outside your sinuses , when irritants invade your sinuses , or when you have an anatomical issue .

Unfortunately, you can’t cater your sinus pain treatments to what’s causing itbut the good news is that most available remedies can work to reduce inflammation and swelling in your sinuses regardless of what’s causing it. Here’s a guide, according to doctors, on the best ways to treat sinus pain so you can start feeling better ASAP.

RELATED: What Does It Mean to Have a Chronic Sinus Infection?

Also Check: How Long A Sinus Infection Last

How Can I Avoid Future Sinus Infections

Once youve had a nasty sinus infection, you wont want to relive the experience. To help prevent them from occurring again, get your annual flu shot and steer clear of people with colds or the flu. Use your humidifier. Live as healthfully as you can get sufficient sleep, reduce stress and eat a wholesome diet with plenty of whole grains, lean proteins and fruits and vegetables. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke and if you do smoke, take steps to quit. Last, but not least, always wash your hands.

Ultimately, sinusitis is a painful and revolting nuisance. But approaching them with these smart strategies could save you a world of hurt.

This content originally appeared on Sharecare.com.

Is There Really A Sinus Migraine

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Technically, the answer is no. There are migraines and there are sinus headaches. They are not the same, but some people have coined the phrase sinus migraine to make the distinction that their migraines seem to have a sinus component. They may be familiar enough with migraines that they know the typical symptoms, so they rule it out because their headaches dont fit that mold. The truth is, there are many different types of migraines and headaches and they often have very similar, if not identical, symptoms.

Dr. Ailani explains, Migraine pain can be located in the temples or back of the head, but often is in or around the eye and can, on occasion, be located under the eye, around the nose, and into the jaw. The reason for this is that the nerve that causes facial sensation and sinus sensation and the one that also causes facial and sinus pain, are one and the same, the trigeminal nerve.

She continues, When this nerve is turned on, you can experience pain- which can be all different types such as pulsating, throbbing, pressure, searing, jabbing, tingling, and burning, anywhere in your head and face. This nerve also connects to other nerves at the back of the neck and in the sinuses. When one nerve decides to be turned on, other connected nerves can follow- where there is a party, all like to join in!

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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.

Why Treating Pain And Congestion Is The Best Choice

Because pain and congestion are important symptoms of a cold, it makes sense to take medication that actively minimizes the impact of both, like Advil Sinus Congestion & Pain that utilizes phenylephrine, an effective decongestant, in combination with ibuprofen, to relieve the pain that often accompanies nasal congestion. The decongestant reduces swelling, which allows the nasal and sinus airways to expand to their natural state and permits oxygen to resume its normal rate of flow. As a result, cold-sufferers may feel more clear-headed and experience less discomfort than they would by only taking one or the other.

Also Check: What To Do For A Sinus Infection Naturally

How It Works Safety Considerations And More

When you have a headache that’s severe enough to require medication, chances are you reach for an over-the-counter painkiller like ibuprofen. This familiar non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, is effective for some headaches.

Ibuprofen is available over the counter as well as by prescription. As an OTC product, it’s sold under the brand names Advil and Motrin. It’s also available in generic and store-brand forms, which often are less expensive.

How Does Ibuprofen Work

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Ibuprofen helps relieve pain caused by inflammation, which occurs when the body produces increased amounts of molecules called prostaglandins when you have an illness or injury.

When prostaglandins are released, they make nearby nerves more sensitive to pain which helps your body realise something is wrong. So for example, when you put your hand on something sharp, the nearby nerves tell your brain, which sends a message that your hand hurts.

Prostaglandins also make tissues inflamed and swollen they are one of the reasons why you get a sore throat when you are sick and why a sprained ankle becomes swollen and painful.

Because ibuprofen blocks the production of prostaglandins throughout the body, it can be used to help relieve body pain caused by inflammation.

Also Check: Sinus Pressure Relief For High Blood Pressure

What Are The Side Effects Of Inhaled Steroids

Inhaled steroids have few side effects, especially at lower doses. Thrush and hoarseness may occur, although this is rare. Rinsing the mouth, gargling after using the asthma inhaler, and using a spacer device with metered dose inhalers can help prevent these side effects. Thrush is easily treated with a prescription antifungal lozenge or rinse.

Inhaled steroids are safe for adults and children. Side effects with these anti-inflammatory asthma inhalers are minimal. Your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose that effectively controls your childâs or your asthma.

On a side note, many parents are concerned about giving their children âsteroids.â Inhaled steroids are not the same as anabolic steroids that some athletes take to build muscle. These steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs, the cornerstone of asthma therapy. There are many benefits of using anti-inflammatory asthma inhalers to manage asthma.

To learn more about using inhaled steroids in children, see WebMDâs article on Childhood Asthma.

Read Also: How Did I Get A Sinus Infection

Can A Sinus Infection Be Treated With An Ice Pack

Over-the-counter medications are often enough to clear it up, but the pressure, pain, and other symptoms can be harsh. There is, however, another effective sinusitis treatment heat. Believe it or not, heat is a natural nasal decongestant. Cold from an ice pack can cause mucus in your sinuses to thicken, making your symptoms worse.

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Talking To Your Doctor About Your Headaches

Your search for a migraine diagnosis and relief from your headaches usually begins with your primary care provider. He or she may send you to several specialists before you get answers, or you may go directly to a headache specialist or neurologist. In other words, you may find that you are repeating yourself to each new doctor. Dont let this discourage you. Sometimes it takes a little digging and searching to get answers, but it is worth it. Create your own headache file with notes and documentation from doctors visits and tests as well as your migraine diary.

Dr. Ailani has this advice: Keep track of your headaches, write down when they happen, how long they last, and what symptoms come with the headache.

She also recommends noting specific characteristics of your headache or migraine by considering these questions:

  • Do you prefer to be in the dark, or in a quiet area with a headache?
  • Do you find your stomach gets upset and smells bother you?
  • Would you prefer to sleep if you could?
  • Do your headaches last several hours or several days?
  • Have your parents, siblings, aunts/uncles, grandparents, and cousins ever had headaches? Migraines tend to run in families, but most families dont discuss this.
  • What have you tried for your headaches? What works or does not work?
  • How have your headaches changed over time?

Sinus Pain Put Down The Ibuprofen And Acetaminophen

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When the sinus pain and pressure hit, many of us will automatically reach for an over-the-counter pain reliever such as an ibuprofen like Advil or an acetaminophen like Tylenol. We know these medications work for some ailments, including a common headache, but are they really effective for relieving sinus pain? Yes and no.

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Typical Dosing For Ibuprofen/phenylephrine

  • Adults and children age 12 years and up: The typical dose is 1 tablet of 200 mg/10 mg by mouth every 4 hours while you’re having symptoms. Don’t use more than 6 tablets in a 24-hour period unless your provider specifically told you to do so.
  • Children age less than 12 years: Ask your child’s provider.

Over The Counter Painkillers

Taking painkillers might not tackle the cause of your sinus headache, but it will give you temporary pain relief. Over-the-counter painkillers are an easy solution because they are readily available and effective. Medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can give you the pain relief that you need. Make sure to use them according to the label so that you can ensure you’re using them safely.

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What Are The Side Effects Of Ibuprofen And Pseudoephedrine

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction or a severe skin reaction .

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, leg swelling, feeling short of breath.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • confusion, severe drowsiness, ringing in your ears, severe dizziness, feeling like you might pass out
  • fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
  • easy bruising or bleeding
  • a skin rash, no matter how mild
  • signs of stomach bleeding–bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
  • liver problems–loss of appetite, stomach pain , tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice
  • kidney problems–little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath or
  • nerve problems–fever, headache, neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity to light, seizure .

Common side effects may include:

  • diarrhea, constipation
  • sleep problems or
  • flushing .

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Can You Use Both Cold And Warm Compress

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When it comes to treating sinus headaches and relieving congestion, you dont really need to choose between cold and warm compress. In fact, its better to use both alternately.

Alternating between hot and cold compresses is known as contrast therapy, which has numerous benefits for physical therapy. For sinus pain, this treatment can relieve a lot of the pain youre experiencing and should be done repeatedly in a day.

Heres how to do it:

  • First, youll want to heat some water just shy of boiling temperature. Set this aside, as this is where youll be dipping your washcloth.
  • Prepare an ice pack by wrapping it in a washcloth.
  • Youll then want to soak your washcloth in the warm water, squeezing out the excess. After folding this to a manageable size, youll want to recline and lay this cloth over your upper nose and lower forehead for 3 minutes. The heat should loosen some of the mucus, relieve inflammation, and make it easier to breathe.
  • After those 3 minutes are up, replace the hot washcloth with the ice pack. Leave this on the same area for about 30 seconds.
  • After the 30 seconds are up, soak the hot washcloth in the warm water, again squeezing it to remove excess water. Replace the ice pack with this washcloth for another 3 minutes, repeating this process about two or three times.
  • You can repeat this process four or five times a day, especially when the sinus pain returns.
  • Also Check: Does A Sinus Infection Heal On Its Own

    Also Check: Can Sinus Infection Heal On Its Own

    How Can You Tell If You Have Chronic Sinusitis

    Does it feel like your sinus infection just wont quit? If you experience at least two of the following for 12 weeks or more even though youve been treated it may be chronic sinusitis:

    • A stuffed nose
    • Discharge of mucus or postnasal drip
    • Pain or pressure in your face
    • Problems with smell

    Chronic sinus infections can be triggered by colds but are typically caused by long-term inflammation. Sometimes, when treatments to control that inflammation fail, people with chronic sinusitis need surgery to drain their mucus.

    What Is The Long

    Sinus infections are primarily caused by allergies. The most common allergens are pollen, dust mites and pet dander. Those with repeated sinus infections may have chronic sinusitis, which means long-term solutions may be a better option.

    Immunotherapy can help. These allergy shots enable your body to decrease sensitivity to common allergens. The Raleigh sinus doctors at Raleigh Medical Group specialize in helping patients with chronic allergy and sinus problems. While immunotherapy is effective, the treatment can take as long as one year to achieve noticeable results and maintenance treatment will likely be needed.

    To find out if youre a candidate for immunotherapy, schedule an appointment with one of our internal medicine doctors. We welcome the opportunity to serve you.

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