Friday, March 22, 2024

What Helps Relieve Sinus Headaches

Use Decongestants But Only Temporarily

How To Relieve A Sinus Headache

You can definitely pop some Sudafed tablets or even spritz some Afrin into your nose, but beware: you cant do this forever.

In an acute infection, a decongestant can be useful, but Afrin can become addicting if used for more than a few days and oral decongestants used regularly can have cardiovascular effects, says Dr. Thompson. These are targeted for short-term use.

Also, FYI, patients with high blood pressure shouldnt use these OTC products, and people who are sensitive to stimulants, like caffeine, might have trouble sleeping when using them, per Dr. Takashima.

How To Cure Chronic Sinusitis And Sinus Headaches Permanently

Chronic sinusitis and sinus headaches can have a significant impact on your health and wellbeing. It can be difficult to get on with your usual routine when youre in pain or suffering from serious congestion. You can also feel very upset and hopeless when it seems that the problem keeps coming back. What can you do to cure sinus problems permanently?

Five Ways To Relieve Sinus Pressure

The pain, facial pressure and congestion of sinus infections affect more than 26.9 million Americans roughly 11 percent of adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Most sinus infections, also called sinusitis, do not need to be treated with antibiotics, and will usually go away within 7-10 days.

One of the most annoying symptoms is the sinus pressure around the eyes, head and cheeks. Fortunately, there are several home remedies and medications that can help provide relief.

Recommended Reading: Can Sore Throat Cause Sinus Infection

How Can I Get Immediate Relief From Sinus Pain: 10 Sinus Pain Home Remedies To Try

Doing one or more of the things below can provide some temporary relief, but dont use it as a substitute for seeing a doctor, especially if its a recurring problem. Things like bacterial sinus infections can get worse over time if not treated with the proper medication.

  • Use a saline nasal spray
  • Take a hot steam shower
  • Use a Humidifier
  • Take an OTC decongestant as directed
  • What Is The Prognosis For A Sinus Headache

    Ways to Relieve Sinus Pain, Aches and Congestion

    Most people with sinus headache recover completely, although many people may develop sinus headache again in the future.

    Complications of sinus headache are not common. Rarely, an untreated sinus infection can erode through the bones and involve adjacent structures, including the eye socket or brain, potentially causing pain and swelling of the eye or symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis. Infection that spreads to the blood vessels in the area of the sinuses can cause inflammation and blood clots. The cavernous sinus is a collection of veins located near the sphenoid sinus that can potentially become infected and form blood clots.

    Read Also: Best Sinus Allergy Relief Medicine

    What Are The Side Effects Of Ibuprofen And Pseudoephedrine

    Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reactionor 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 bleedingbloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
    • liver problemsloss of appetite, stomach pain , tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice
    • kidney problemslittle or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath or
    • nerve problemsfever, 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.

    Cleaning Inside Your Nose

    You can clean the inside of your nose using either a home-made salt water solution or a solution made with sachets of ingredients bought from a pharmacy.

    To make the solution at home, mix a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into a pint of boiled water that has been left to cool. To rinse your nose:

    • wash and dry your hands
    • stand over a sink, cup the palm of one hand and pour a small amount of the solution into it
    • sniff the water into one nostril at a time

    Repeat these steps until your nose feels more comfortable . You should make a fresh solution each day. Dont re-use a solution made the day before.

    Special devices you can use instead of your hand are also available for pharmacies. If you choose to use one of these, make sure you follow the manufacturers instructions about using and cleaning it.

    Also Check: Best Over The Counter Allergy Medicine For Sinus Pressure

    Chronic Sinusitis And Sinus Headaches

    Sinusitis happens when the sinuses or cavities around the nasal passages become swollen. The sinuses can become inflamed if you have an infection or because of an allergic reaction. The symptoms usually go away within a couple of weeks, but some people experience longer or recurring sinus infections. If you have chronic sinusitis, you could be dealing with symptoms such as nasal discharge, congestion, and pain or sinus headaches for many months.

    Are Sinus Headache And Migraine Easily Confused

    Headache Relief & Diagnosis : Relieving Sinus Headaches

    Yes, they are according to the research. The pattern of migraine pain is different for individual patients. While the most easily recognized migraine headaches are localized to one side of the head, many patients feel pain or pressure on both sides, or in the neck or sinuses. This is because all of these areas are innervated by branches of the nerve that are most involved in migraine. For patients with sinus symptoms the most frequent patterns of pain and pressure are across the forehead and behind the eyes, but any sinus area or combination is possible.

    A study called SAMS recruited the first 100 people to respond to their local ad. The ad asked those to come forward who believed they had sinus headache. Each participant was carefully examined in a 90-minute evaluation and imaging tests were conducted.

    The findings showed that most of them had been wrongly diagnosed and in fact had a diagnosis of migraine.

    Recommended Reading: Best Sinus Pressure Relief Medication

    Natural Approaches To Relief From Sinus Pain

    Some natural approaches like steam, hot and cold compresses, eating spicy foods and even humming! Check out those approaches in more detail at This article also suggest some great approaches to sinus headache relief:

    Watermelon Provides Fluids To Keep You Hydrated

    Interesting fact: Watermelon is actually considered a vegetable because of the way its grown, although some people would argue it belongs firmly in the fruit category because of its sweet flavor and higher sugar content.

    Watermelon also has a lot of water in it. Its actually 92 percent water, according to the National Watermelon Promotion Board. Getting plenty of water both by drinking it and by consuming foods that contain lots of water will help you stay hydrated.

    Getting enough fluids is important for all aspects of health, including migraine, says Brown. About one in three people with migraine say dehydration is a trigger, according to the American Migraine Foundation.

    Many fruits and vegetables can have a hydrating effect, and the fresher it is, the higher the water content, says Brown.

    You May Like: Can You Overcome A Sinus Infection Without Antibiotics

    Apply A Warm Compress

    Applying a warm towel over your forehead and nose can help to reduce swelling and inflammation in your sinus passages. Its also a simple home remedy that you can use before you go to bed.

    Heat from the warm towel helps to open up your nasal passages to reduce swelling and hence open up your nasal passageway. This will also help to loosen mucus secretion and aid in mucus flow.

    Here are some simple steps on how you can apply a warm compress to provide sinus headache relief:

    • Fill up a bowl with water thats warmer than body temperature. Ensure that its not scalding
    • Soak the towel in the water and wring out excess water
    • Fold the towel into a square and apply it over your forehead and nose
    • Hold the towel in position and place it in contact with your skin for up to 20 minutes each time

    Alternatively, you can make a warm compress through the following method:

    • Soak two towels in water and squeeze out excess water
    • Put one towel in a ziplock bag and leave the bag open
    • Microwave the bag for 2 minutes
    • Remove the bag from the microwave and seal it. Be careful as the bag will be hot to touch
    • Wrap the other towel around the bag.
    • Apply the heating pad to your forehead for about 20 minutes

    What Can An Ent Do To Reduce Or Prevent Sinus Pain

    Sinusitis Symptoms Ear Pain Headaches Hay Symptoms Fever  ATHENEUM EAR ...

    There are multiple ways to relieve sinus pain including, pain-free balloon sinuplasty. Balloon sinuplasty is an endoscopic nasal surgery that uses small balloon catheters to drain the large nasal sinuses. This is an almost immediate way to relieve pressure and can dramatically improve the quality of life for those with a deviated septum.

    Request an appointment to see if balloon sinuplasty is the right treatment option for you.

    More Helpful Articles by Kaplan Sinus Relief:

    You May Like: What Is Best To Take For Sinus Infection

    The Right Way To Treat A Sinus Infection

    5 min Read Time

    Your head is throbbing, especially around your eyes. You cant stop coughing, and for some reason, your breath is terrible. Blowing your nose is a mess.

    Bad news: You could have a sinus infection. Most frequently triggered by the common cold, over 30 million American adults are diagnosed with sinusitis yearly.

    So, what exactly are sinus infections? How can you tell if you have one? And holy cow how can you feel better as quickly as possible?

    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.

    Also Check: Best Medicine To Clear Up Sinus Infection

    Is It A Sinus Headache Or Migraine

    If you have sinus pain with no congestion, you may actually have a migraine. If you are congested and have an extremely painful headache, you may have either a migraine OR a sinus headache.

    Migraines are more common, but sinus headaches do occur and can be just as painful. Thats why were explaining how to get rid of sinus pain.

    How Can You Tell If You Have Chronic Sinusitis

    Headache Treatments : How to Relieve a Sinus Headache Naturally

    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.

    Also Check: How To Use Sinus Spray

    Diy Decongestant For Sinus Headache

    The properties of different ingredients used in this process provide relief from the inflammation, pain, congestion, infection and pressure in sinus cavities.

    • In a saucepan, add 1/4 cup each of lemon juice and apple cider vinegar.
    • Simmer this mixture on heat.
    • Add 3 tablespoons of honey, 1/2 teaspoon each of cayenne pepper, ginger powder and cinnamon powder.
    • Remove from the flame, let it cool down and store in an airtight container in cool dark place.
    • Consume 1 â 2 tablespoons of this mixture daily. For kids, use a very less amount of this mixture.

    Note: Shake the bottle well before consuming as some ingredients may have settle down to the bottom. A gentle shake will incorporate them again. For more effective results, you can warm up the mixture before consuming.

    Inhaling Steam And Drinking A Lot Of Fluids

    Many people find it pleasant to breathe in steam with or without adding things like chamomile or peppermint oil, because the warmth and moisture can have a short-term soothing effect on the mucous membranes lining the nose. But this kind of inhalation doesnt have a clear effect on cold symptoms.

    Drinking a lot of fluids is also often recommended if you have a cold. Theres no scientific proof that this will help, though, so theres no need to force yourself to drink more fluids than you feel like drinking when you have a cold. Still, people often find that hot tea or warm milk have a soothing and warming effect.

    Don’t Miss: How To Kick A Sinus Infection Fast

    A Juicy Slice Of Watermelon Can Head Off Dehydration Which Is Often A Factor In Headaches And Migraine Attacks

    If youre living with migraine, you probably know that certain foods and drinks can trigger an attack. But even though its important to know what to avoid, focusing on the foods to add to your diet matters, too: It may help reduce the number or severity of migraine attacks or other types of headaches.

    Food really is the first medicine, says Wynne Brown, MD, the medical director of integrative medicine at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. When youre trying to manage migraine, what you eat and when you eat can make all the difference, she says.

    Being open to change in your diet is a good start, says Dr. Brown. Often, we can get in a rut and eat the same things over and over. By adding different fresh fruits and vegetables to our diet, we can reap benefits in terms of water content as well as vitamins and minerals, she says.

    A diet with a variety of good foods will make a big difference both in migraine management and overall health and may improve imbalances that contribute to headaches, says Brown.

    If youre looking for ways to change your diet to better manage your migraine, here are some expert tips on the foods and drinks to help you on your journey.

    Irrigate To Relieve Sinus Pressure

    Sinus pain symptom ~ Migraine Problem

    “Salt water irrigation is the best way to cleanse the nose and sinuses this can help prevent or relieve sinus pain. You can use an over-the-counter saline nasal spray, but I recommend using a sinus rinse bottle, neti pot, or bulb syringe irrigation kit that you can get at the drugstore,” advises Das.

    Try this commonly-used, easy-to-make nasal irrigation solution with your own sinus irrigation kit: Fill a clean 8-ounce glass with distilled or sterilized lukewarm water. Do not use tap water unless it has been boiled for at least 1 minute . Add 1/2 teaspoon of non-iodized salt and a pinch of baking soda. And be sure to clean all equipment and make a fresh batch of solution each time you use your kit.

    Recommended Reading: Best Antihistamine For Sinus Pressure

    Chocolate Can Ease A Caffeine Withdrawal Headache

    Everyone wants to hear that chocolate can help a caffeine withdrawal headache, says Brown with a laugh. Some people believe chocolate is a food group all its own, she says.

    According to ConsumerLab.com, an independent company that tests health and nutrition products, most dark chocolates have about 40 to 50 milligrams of caffeine per 1½ ounce serving, which is about the same amount you would get in a cup of green tea and about half the amount in a cup of regular brewed coffee. So depending on the person, a serving of dark chocolate might be enough to ease a caffeine withdrawal headache.

    Dark chocolate is also a good source of magnesium, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

    Ways To Relieve Sinus Headache Pain And Pressure

    When you have a sinus headache, all you want is relief…fast!

    As the makers of BC® Sinus Pain & Congestion , were going to tell you to take our powder formula for fast relief. It can help you quickly relieve the sinus headache, congestion and pressure that can come with allergies, a cold, sinus infection or the flu.

    But we also want to give you other optionssimple things you can do at home to help relieve sinus congestion and pain.

    Read Also: How To Reduce Sinus Mucus

    Then What Is A True Sinus Headache

    Your sinuses are air-filled sacs that connect to each side of your nose. It is their job to clean the air you inhale through your nostrils. A complex network of sinus cavities winds through your forehead, cheekbones, and behind the bridge of your nose.

    Many medical experts agree that sinus headaches are rare and reserved for a minority of people diagnosed with acute frontal sinusitis or sphenoiditis.

    If you do have a true sinus headache, then you must have an infection somewhere in your sinus cavities. In this case, youll have fever and congestion. It is that congestion that produces the horrible pressure in your sinuses. And the fever is what makes you feel generally unwell.

    Popular Articles
    Related news