What Tests Diagnose The Causes Of A Sinus Headache
It is important that the cause of the headache be diagnosed. Many patients who believe that they have sinus headaches may instead have migraine or tension headaches.
The health-care professional will likely begin by taking a history of the symptoms to help come to the diagnosis. Contributing factors in the development of sinusitis and headache may include a recent cold or upper respiratory tract infection, history of smoking, environmental allergies to dust or molds, as well as recent airplane travel, swimming or SCUBA diving, or other activities involving air pressure changes within the facial sinuses.
Physical examination may reveal tenderness to percussion, or tapping, over the affected sinus that reproduces the pain. Examination of the ears may reveal a serous otitis, or fluid levels behind the eardrum in the middle ear, that may suggest drainage problems in the face and sinuses. Examination of the nose may reveal swollen nasal passages and discharge. Evaluation of the mouth and teeth may find a source of infection, and the back of the throat may be examined for signs of postnasal drainage.
Basil Leaves Mint Leaves Cloves And Ginger
The herbs-basil and mint- are used as a natural headache reliever as these herbs are rich in analgesic effects. Whereas, cloves can provide a cooling effect that can relieve your sinus headaches. Moreover, ginger can reduce inflammation and help in getting relief. Hence, mix these ingredients and prepare kaadha to drink.
Cause Of Sinusitis Infection
Sinusitis is the inflammation of your sinus cavities or sinuses. What is the Cause of Sinusitis Infection? There are many causes of sinus infections that cause sinusitis. Sinusitis Infections are usually due to Viral infection, usually from the common cold or flu virus. It can also be from bacteria or fungal infection. Fungal infections seem to be the hardest to get rid of because they cause the most mucus or phlegm and sinus congestion.
This is the type of sinus infection that usually causes the sinus infection headache that won’t go away with regular pain killers. Here are the most common causes of sinus inflammation and sinus infection:
- Common Cold or Flu
- Fungal Infection
- Bacterial Infection
- Exposure to Smoking or Strong Chemicals
- Allergies or Hay Fever
- Changes of Altitude
- Chronic inflammation or Illness
Your eyes, ears, nose and throat are all connected and can get congested from allergens or infection. If you have an ear infection it will affect your sinuses. Choose Essential Oils for Ear Infection if you suspect an inner ear infection. It can be used with the homeopathic sinus infection remedies as they work together.
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Best Medications To Get Rid Of Sinus Headaches Fast
Sinus headaches are quite common in a large percentage of the general population. It occurs when the cavities behind your nose, at the back of your eyes, in your cheeks and forehead are clogged due to some infection or allergy or even simple cold. This leads to severe headache, causing pressure in the area between your eyes, above the nose.
Sinus headaches can be very troublesome. It not only causes pain and pressure in your sinus region, but also causes serious discomfort. The discomfort increases if you try to lie down or bent over. Usually the symptoms of sinus headache include nasal discharge or stuffy nose or sore throat and cough, along with fatigue. If you do not have these additional symptoms, then you may not have sinus headache. However, if you do, it is important that you have it treated soon, as delay will only increase your pain and discomfort.
What Can I Do About Recurring Sinus Headaches
Many sinus headaches, especially those that recur, are actually migraines. But its smart to see your healthcare provider to figure out the cause of your headaches.
You may find that the best long-term solution is figuring out what triggers your migraine headaches so you can avoid them. Its helpful to keep a headache diary to track potential triggers. Triggers you can control include:
- Alcohol.
- Specific foods, such as chocolate, red wine or strong cheese.
- Lack of sleep.
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Other Home Remedies For Sinus Headaches
As well as the remedies discussed above, there are several other things you can do to ease or prevent a sinus headache
Stay well hydrated and make sure you get plenty of fluids. Use a humidifier if you have one. Get plenty of rest. Avoid activities or known allergens that may trigger a sinus headache.
The Hot & Cold Compress
For treating sinus headache, the hot and cold compress is the best choice.
When you apply this remedy, it will help to relieve blocked sinuses as well as open them up in order to decrease the inflammation. Thus, if you have sinus headache, lets follow this detailed direction below:
- Now pour warm water into a pad to make hot compress meanwhile wrap some ice cubes to make cold compress
- Then apply the hot compress for 3 minutes
- Next apply the cold compress immediately after taking the hot compress
- Leave it on more than 30 seconds
- Do this process from three to five times a day
- Repeat every day until your condition is better
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Avoid Sinus Pain Triggers
“One of the most important things to avoid is over-the-counter nasal decongestant sprays. They may give some fast relief, but after a few days they make sinus pressure and nasal congestion much worse,” warns Das. Some other things you can do to prevent sinus pain include avoiding alcohol, which can aggravate sinus pain and congestion cleaning your humidifier to avoid fungal allergies washing your bedding in hot water to decrease allergy exposure and avoiding swimming, diving, or flying when you have sinusitis, a common cold, or nasal allergy.
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.
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Causes Of Sinus Pressure Headaches
Sinus headaches and inflammation can have a number of causes, including:
- Common cold virus or other rhinoviruses
- Flu virus
- Allergies
- Changes in humidity
Each of these different causes has different treatments, so its important to understand what is causing your symptoms in order to find a successful treatment.
Sinus Headache Home Remedy: Over
Sinus infections are often misdiagnosed, says Dr. Rubin. Misdiagnosis is dangerous, it may mean that you take antibiotics when you dont need them. For that reason, it makes sense to first treat what you think may be a sinus headache with over-the-counter medication. An anti-inflammatory drug, like an NSAID may be best for dampening pain, according to Harvard Medical School. Other OTC medications such as Afrin could help clear up nasal passages and sinuses during colds and sinus infections. Make sure to follow the instructions and take anything as directed since there are some hidden dangers of taking OTCs.
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Can Sinus Headaches Be Prevented
Sinus headaches are due to inflammation of the sinuses and their ability to drain to the back of the nose.
- Avoid smoking, secondhand smoke, and other allergens because they may decrease the risk of developing sinusitis and a sinus headache. Smoking reduces the ability of the sinuses to clear mucous and fluid.
- Avoid colds and other respiratory infections because it may decrease the risk of sinus inflammation, for example, frequent hand washing, and avoiding people who are sick.
- Flying is not recommended if you have a cold, sinus infection, or an upper respiratory infection because of the pressure changes in the face that occur with flying.
- Maintaining adequate hydration and breathing humidified air at home and work will allow the normal mucus that is produced in the sinuses to drain more easily.
What To Do When Home Remedies Aren’t Working
When you have a sinus headache, trying some treatments at home should be your first step. However, if you’ve tried a few things and nothing is helping, seeing a doctor can help you to get the right treatment and perhaps identify an underlying cause. You should also see a doctor if you have a fever, if there is pain or swelling of your face or eyes, redness around your eyes, cheeks, a severe headache, stiff neck or confusion.
After other treatments have been exhausted and your sinus problems are recurring, surgery might be suggested as an option for sinus headaches and blocked sinuses. This is something that you might discuss with your ENT to determine whether it’s the right choice for you and how it can help, as well as some of the risks that surgery can have. Before discussing surgery, it’s important to try other remedies to find out if any of them work.
If sinus headaches are a regular problem for you, Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates can help. Contact us today at Sylva 828-586-7474, Franklin 828-524-5599, Murphy 828-835-1014 or New Asheville 828-458-8100 to schedule an appointment or learn more.
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Sinus Headache Medicine In A Pinch
The best sinus headache medicine is of course plenty of fluids and a bit of TLC. There are many treatments that will help ease your pain naturally however, if you need some instant relief, you should consider over-the-counter medication.
That being said, if you are taking these medications regularly for ten days in a row, you should consult your physician to find a more permanent solution.
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How Long Does A Take For A Sinus Headache To Go Away
- Acute sinusitis typically lasts less than eight weeks or occurs no more than three times per year with each episode lasting no longer than 10 days. Medications are generally effective against acute sinusitis. Successful treatment counteracts damage done to the mucous lining of the sinuses and surrounding bone of the skull.
- Chronic or recurring sinusitis lasts longer than eight weeks or occurs more than four times per year, with symptoms usually lasting more than 20 days.
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What Are The Complications Of Sinus Headaches
In rare cases, complications around the eye area can happen, resulting in the area being swollen and inflamed. This may even affect your vision.
If you have a high fever that persists, discolored nasal discharge, rattling in your chest, or difficulty breathing, see your doctor about these symptoms. While a sinus headache might seem like a harmless health condition, its important to determine its cause.
Avoid Smoke And Noxious Fumes
The air you breathe could be making your sinuses ache, depending on what that air is carrying. Avoid cigarette smoke and fumes from
- harsh cleaning products,
- hair spray, and
- perfumes.
With a world full of industrial chemicals and people who smoke, how can you keep your sinus problems at bay? Here are a couple of tips:
- Don’t let friends or family smoke in your home.
- Look for “green” cleaning products in unscented varieties. They’re less likely to contain the harsh chemicals that can kick-start sinus pressure and pain.
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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.
Sinus Headache Home Remedy: Steamy Shower
Standing in a steamy shower and breathing deeply will also open up the nasal passages and allow for drainage and lead to sinus headache relief. Breathing warm, moist air can expand and soothe the sinus cavity, per the CDC. Its a great remedy for first thing in the morning when youre hopping in the shower anyway. Heres what else to do if you wake up with a headache.
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How Do Doctors Treat A Sinus Headache
Doctors usually recommend starting with an over-the-counter decongestant and pain reliever. Nasal irrigation also can help. The procedure involves slowly pouring a saline solution into one nostril and allowing it to flow through the nasal cavity and out the other nostril. Nasal irrigation can help wash out mucus and drain some of your congestion.
If these methods do not make you feel better within a few days with, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic or nasal steroid to treat the underlying infection. Medical practitioners do their best to avoid unnecessarily prescribing steroids to prevent antimicrobial resistance.
Sinus Headache Relief: 10 Simple Ways To Soothe Your Sinus Headache
Many of us suffer from sinus problems now and then. For some, sinusitis can be a common occurrence. Those who suffer from sinus issues will know how uncomfortable it can get, having to bear with symptoms such as sinus headache and blocked ears. In this article, we look at some causes and symptoms of sinus headache, and cover 10 home remedies that might provide sinus headache relief.
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Ocean Saline Nasal Spray
When it comes to simplicity and safety, Ocean Saline Nasal Spray is a hard one to beat. This product incorporates very few components and uses salt as its major active ingredient. It draws out the mucus and dislodges accumulated phlegm to clear out the airways.
Ocean Saline Nasal Spray is highly effective, giving instant relief for both adults and children who use the solution. The only issue some users have with the product is that relief duration may vary, especially depending on the extent of congestion.
Hot And Cold Compress
Sinus congestion leads to a huge build-up of pressure which causes the painful sinus headache and other nasty symptoms. Applying hot and cold compresses alternately is an excellent remedy for headaches caused by this build-up of pressure.
A warm compress allows moist heat into the sinus passages which relieves any pressure and loosens mucus while a cold compress helps relieve pain caused by constricted blood vessels.
To make a warm/cold compress Soak a face towel in hot water then wring out the excess. Fold and place the towel over your face making sure your nose, cheeks and forehead are covered well. Leave it in place for between 3 and 5 minutes. Now remove your towel and soak it in very cold water. Again wring out any excess. Fold hen place it over your face for around a minute. Repeat the process 3 times daily for best effect.
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Natural Sinus Headache Remedies
Some people prefer to go the natural route when treating a sinus headache. Most herbal solutions for nasal pain and congestion work by helping to prevent an infection . So the goal should be five lifestyle changes that can help keep an infection from developing and prevent what feels like your next sinus headache.
Advil Sinus Congestion & Pain Reliever Coated Tablets
One of the main complications that come hand in hand with sinus congestion is the pain. The increase of pressure due to accumulated mucus can make it difficult to breathe and pave the way for throbbing headaches. Because of this common symptom combination, Advil Sinus Congestion and Pain Reliever has been dubbed the best medicine for sinus pressure because it targets both pain and congestion effectively.
The main ingredient this formulation uses for decongestion is phenylephrine HCl, which works to reduce mucus production to stop congestion from persisting. It also encourages the body to expectorate phlegm so that the airways can be cleared of congestion. Aside from this function, Advil Sinus Congestion and Pain Reliever also targets pain with ibuprofen. So while the product works to resolve the cause of sinus pressure, it also temporarily addresses any acute pain you might experience for fast and immediate relief.
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