What Causes A Sinus Infection
A sinus infection can be caused by several different things including:
Seasonal allergies A deviated septum: The septum is the part of the nose that divides it into right and left nostrils. Some people have crooked or deviated septums, which makes them more susceptible to sinus infections. Nasal polyps Respiratory tract infections
Sinus infections may be acute or chronic .
Where Are The Sinuses Located
The sinuses are named according to their location in the skull bones:
- The frontal sinuses are located over the forehead, above the eyes on both sides.
- The maxillary sinuses are located over the cheek area, in the bone known as the maxilla, located under the eyes on both sides of the face.
- The ethmoid sinuses are located in the bone that divides the eyes and nose.
- The sphenoid sinuses are located in the sphenoid bone at the center of the skull, behind the eyes.
The sinuses are lined by mucous membranes that secrete fluid and are connected to the nasal cavity by small channels or ducts. The sinuses are sometimes collectively referred to as the paranasal sinuses because of their proximity to the nose.
Inflammation due to any cause can cause a buildup of fluid and increased sinus pressure, causing the typical symptoms of a sinus headache.
Increase Your Fluid Intake
When suffering from a sinus headache, be sure to drink plenty of fluids. This can help thin the mucus in your sinuses, making it easier to drain. Once the body gets rid of the mucus, your headache will vanish away quickly.
Drinking enough fluid will also help with overall hydration. Check the color of your urine to determine if you are properly hydrated. Colorless urine is an indication of good hydration.
Along with water, drinking warm fluids will also help. Drinking warm fluids increases the nasal mucus velocity partially or completely with nasal inhalation of water vapor. Warm chicken soup has been known to increase the nasal mucus velocity. Also, warm liquid is better than cold liquid in managing upper respiratory tract infections.
Enjoy a hot cup of herbal tea or drink broth to help thin the mucus accumulation in the nasal passages. Additionally, warm soups and lemonades can help clear up the mucus.
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What To Know When Youre Getting Headaches Every Day
Lets get this out of the way: Getting severe headaches every day isnt normal, so you should talk to your doctor, especially if they come on suddenly. Some headaches can indicate neurological disorders that require treatment, and sudden, severe headaches are always a cause for concern.So, whats a severe headache exactly? Most headaches fall into one of three general categories:
Treatment Options For Sinusitis
Most of the treatment options for sinusitis and sinus headaches are intended to give temporary relief from the symptoms when they occur:
- Mediation to reduce the inflammation
- Using a humidifier or nasal spray
- Drinking plenty of fluids
Although these treatments can help, they arent always effective for chronic sinusitis and they wont prevent your symptoms from coming back. If you often suffer from sinus infections or sinus headaches, you might be looking for a more permanent treatment.
Permanent cures for chronic sinusitis and sinus headaches are sometimes possible, but it can depend on the reasons why you are affected.
- If your sinusitis is linked to allergies, then you can try allergy testing to find out the cause and then take steps to avoid the trigger. Although this wont always be enough to prevent your symptoms from coming back, it can make a big difference.
- If your symptoms are linked to infections, then simple steps such as washing hands regularly and getting a flu shot can reduce the chances youll be affected again.
- If there is a physical reason why you are more susceptible to sinusitis, it may be possible to correct it surgically and prevent sinus problems in the future.
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Sinus Headache Home Remedy: Neti Pot
If you have a sinus infection, you can use a neti pot to clear nasal congestion, says Dr. Rubin. By cleaning the nasal passages using distilled water and salt, mucus can drain more effectively. Using a neti pot can be tricky at first, but with patience and practice, youll get the hang of it. Make sure you clean it as directed and use boiled water if possible.
Sinus Headaches Threat And Control
How to relieve a sinus headache is one of the queries which has unlimited answers, considering that there are numerous options available which could be conventional or from the sables of home remedies. However, home remedies continue to be the preferred option as they are not accompanied by and side effects.
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Schedule An Exam With A Local Ent
Are you tired of chronic, recurring sinus infections? Then its time to talk to a specialist about your treatment options. Our team provides the individualized care that you deserve, including one-on-one treatment with an ENT. We get to the root of the problem with an accurate diagnosis, then custom-design a treatment plan based on the unique needs of each patient.
Diagnosis Of A Sinus Infection
Only a licensed healthcare professional can diagnose a sinus infection, so make sure you review your symptoms with one. A healthcare professional may diagnose your sinus infection using these methods:
- Performing a physical exam
- Running an imaging test like a CT scan or an MRI
- In severe cases, ordering a rhinoscopy or nasal endoscopy, a procedure that involves inserting a flexible instrument up the nostrils to look for blockages
Another part of diagnosing a sinus infection is identifying triggers like allergic rhinitis or frequent stuffy or runny noses related to allergies.
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Sinus Headache Home Remedy: Humidifier
Dry air does nothing to help your situation. Add steam while you sleep by running a cool-mist humidifier in your bedroom, which may help lessen congestion pain, according to the Cleveland Clinic. While youre relaxing for the night, be sure to add an extra pillow: sleeping with your head elevated can help prevent clogged sinuses, say experts at the Mayo Clinic. Watch out for these other 13 surprising things that cause headaches.
Where Can I Find The Best Sinus Headache Treatment In Houston
Houston ear, nose, and throat specialist and surgeon Dr. Cecil Yeung has more than 20 years of experience in diagnosing and treating chronic sinusitis, which causes sinus headaches. At Houston Sinus Surgery at the Yeung Institute, he has pioneered endoscopic sinus surgery in the area, performing more than 4,000 sinus surgeries with a re-do rate thats far less than average. Hes a board-certified physician who is known as a leader in his field as well as for his professionalism and precision.
Dr. Yeung will correctly diagnose the cause of your sinus headaches and sinusitis and recommend the most minimally invasive treatment possible that will yield the results you want.
To get relief from the pain and other symptoms of sinus headaches, contact Houston Sinus Surgery at the Yeung Institute today!
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What Are The Treatments For A Sinus Headache
Treatment for a sinus headache will depend on the cause.
If your headache is due to a viral sinus infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that the infection will usually clear on its own.
If a bacterial sinus infection is causing the headache, you may need to clear up the infection and get rid of the headache.
If your sinus headache is actually a headache, you may need to take migraine-specific medications.
No matter what is causing your sinus headache, the CDC also notes that home remedies can help ease the symptoms. These include:
- over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen
- warm compresses to the face and head
How To Get Rid Of A Sinus Infection
If youre feeling under the weather, a sinus infection likely is to blame. Sinus infections are prevalent and can be caused by various things such as allergies, a cold, or even the flu. Luckily, there are ways to get rid of them quickly and effectively.
Below, we listed a few tips for fast getting rid of a sinus infection. But before that, here are some things you need to know about sinus infection first:
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Get A Good Night’s Sleep
Sleep has been proven to bolster the T cells in your body that fight off infection, says Dr. Nasseri. Bonus tip: To minimize congestion, adjust your sleep position. Use an extra pillow to prop up your head. Keeping your head elevated while you sleep can help drain mucus and relieve some of the pressure.
How Do I Get Rid Of A Sinus Headache
To get rid of a sinus headache, you have to treat the underlying cause. But you can take steps to ease sinus pressure and pain at home:
- Apply a warm compress to painful areas of the face.
- Use a decongestant to reduce sinus swelling and allow mucus to drain.
- Try a saline nasal spray or drops to thin mucus.
- Use a vaporizer or inhale steam from a pan of boiled water. Warm, moist air may help relieve sinus congestion.
Sinus infection
Viruses, bacteria and sometimes fungi cause sinus infections. Viral infections often go away on their own. But if your infection is bacterial or fungal, you need antibiotics or antifungal medications. Your healthcare provider may also recommend other medications to ease discomfort, such as:
- Antihistamines to prevent allergy symptoms.
- Pain relievers to ease headache pain.
- Steroids to reduce inflammation.
Migraines with sinus symptoms
Sinus headaches that are actually migraines need a different type of treatment. The first step is to relieve your pain. You should know that frequently using over-the-counter medications when you have a headache can cause even more headaches .
Your provider may recommend prescription medication for migraine pain. You may also need a preventive medication that helps you have fewer migraine attacks.
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Managing Migraines At Home
A migraine is a common type of headache. It may occur with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. Most people feel a throbbing pain on only one side of their head during a migraine.
Some people who get migraines have warning signs, called an aura, before the actual headache begins. An aura is a group of symptoms that includes vision changes. An aura is a warning sign that a bad headache is coming.
Migraine headaches can be triggered by certain foods. The most common are:
- Any processed, fermented, pickled, or marinated foods, as well as foods that contain monosodium glutamate
- Baked goods, chocolate, nuts, and dairy products
- Meats containing sodium nitrates, such as bacon, hot dogs, salami, and cured meats
- Red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken liver, figs, and certain beans
Alcohol, stress, hormonal changes, skipping meals, lack of sleep, certain odors or perfumes, loud noises or bright lights, exercise, and cigarette smoking may also trigger a migraine.
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Massage The Sinus Region
Relieving head pressure can be easy with massage. Massage can stimulate the mobilization of mucus. Pressing on the right spots can also instantly get rid of sinus pressure in your face.
Start by massaging your eyebrows. Press on the inner side of the eyebrows. Slowly drag your fingers along your eyebrows. Finish by massaging the temples. Repeat this until you experience some relief.
You can also try massaging the roof of your mouth with your tongue. Apply pressure here for about 20 seconds. Then, immediately press between your eyebrows with your fingers for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until you feel like your sinuses are draining.
Tapping or pushing on specific sinus pressure points can help reduce the pain of sinus headaches. To activate these points:
- Press the spot between your eyes above the bridge of the nose
- Squeeze inward on the spots on either side of the nostrils
- Squeezing the bridge of the nose
- Push in and up on the cheeks
- Push in and up on the groove above the center of the top lip
- Press up and out along your eyebrows
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Natural Remedies For Sinus Headaches
The throbbing in your temples, like the banging of a drum. The pressure behind your eyes, your head, and even your cheekbones. Aching even in your teeth. And lets not forget the tightness in the back of your neck that sometimes extends into your shoulders.
Ah yes, it is another full-blown sinus headache.
Acupressure To Treat Migraine
The pain is caused due to the excess tension in the muscles and vascular imbalance. Acupressure comes handy to release the tension. This is because acupressure points in the muscles are easily accessible and can be triggered by the gentle pressure. Though over the counter medicines give instant relief, but they give temporary results, whereas acupressure has a permanent effect as it treats the problem internally.
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Warm Water And Inflammatory Reversals
One of the least spectacular, yet particularly effective options is to consume plenty of warm water the cardinal rule is to take warm water whenever thirsty. This invariably leads to quick reversal of sinus headaches.
The scientific logic being that sinus headaches are usually caused due to the inner lining of the sinus cavities getting intensely inflamed due to a common cold or infection. This is best reversed by using a strong antiinflammatory option like warm water which is also strongly analgesic, thus controlling the pain to a great extent.
Thus the solution for those persistent sinus headaches may be as simple as consuming multiple cups of warm water during the day.
When Should I See An Ent For Sinus Pain And Pressure
A good rule of thumb is to talk to your doctor if sinus pain and pressure is affecting your daily life. Other things to look out for include:
- It makes it difficult to sleep
- Youve had a stuffy or runny nose for over a week
- Your sinus headaches more frequently
- Over-the-counter treatments dont work
- You injured your nose
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What Symptoms Must You Have To Be Diagnosed With A Migraine
Migraine with aura . This is a headache, plus:
- Visual symptoms or vision loss.
- Sensory symptoms .
Migraine without aura . A common migraine is a headache and:
- The attacks included pain on one side of your head.
- Youve had at least five attacks, each lasting between four and 72 hours.
Plus, youve experienced at least one of the following:
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
What To Do For Sinus Pressure And Pain At Home
Here are the top 10 at-hometreatments to help ease your sinus pain and inflammation to get rid of your sinus infection faster.
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Home Remedies For Sinus Headache Relief
Remedies like bathing in steam and using a humidifier can help reduce congestion of your nasal passages and promote drainage by relieving pressure.
You can also do other things to promote drainage from your nose such as pressing gently on your sinus pressure points and blowing your nose by tipping your head forward. Pushing the area underneath your eyes above your cheekbones in and up may also offer some much-needed relief.
There are plenty of low-effort things that you can do for sinus headache relief. Find a sinus headache remedy that suits you by reading more from this list.
What Is A Migraine Attack
Migraine is a common primary headache disorder . In essence they are the result of a neurological malfunction that is thought to originate in the brain stem. Medical scientists and researchers still arent exactly sure what causes a migraine attack.
Leading theories relate to hyperexcitability within certain areas of the brain or a disorder from the brain stem which triggers the migraine attack.
The brain stem is a small but extremely important part of the brain. It allows the nerve connections of the motor and sensory system to pass from the brain to the body. This controls bodily sensations and movement.
At the start of an attack, chemical changes are thought to develop in the brainstem which triggers a series of reactions causing the brain to respond abnormally to otherwise normal signals. The result from this hypersensitive response could be migraine.
Interestingly, at least 50% of people who experience migraine still have not been diagnosed.
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