Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Where Do You Feel A Sinus Headache

Prevention And Treatment Of Sinus Headaches

How to Tell if You Have a Sinus Headache

The best way to prevent a sinus headache is to avoid a sinus infection. The CDC recommends washing your hands frequently, getting a flu shot, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, not smoking, and using a clean humidifier to moisten the air.

By humidifying the air, you can decrease sinus pressure, which should translate into decreased incidence of headaches, says Kiran Rajneesh, MBBS, a neurologist and pain medicine specialist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.

Dr. Rajneesh also suggests drinking a lot of water. Hydrating is important because it can help keep the mucus thin and loose, which can decrease infection and irritation, he says.

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve a sinus headache. A nasal spray either a decongestant or a steroid spray may help as well, according to Michigan Medicine. Keep in mind that overuse of nasal sprays can further irritate the sinuses, leading to what is known as rebound congestion.

If you have a history of high blood pressure or heart problems, talk to your doctor before using oral decongestants .

A neti pot, which looks like a little teapot with a long spout, may be used to flush out nasal passages to improve congested sinuses, says Rajneesh.

There are times when you should seek medical help for possible sinus infection. According to the CDC, you should see a doctor if any of the following is true:

Additional reporting by Becky Upham.

Sore Throat And Hoarse Voice

Postnasal drip can leave you with a raw and aching throat. Although it may start as an annoying tickle, it can get worse.

If your infection lasts for a few weeks or more, mucus can irritate and inflame your throat as it drips, resulting in a painful sore throat and hoarse voice. Frequent coughing and throat clearing can make a hoarse voice worse.

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.

Read Also: How To Stop Getting Sinus Headaches

What Does A Covid

Heather Mercer is native to Northwest Ohio and graduated from Loma Linda University with two doctorate degrees . She is currently a professor at Owens Community College, as well as a fact-checker for Verywell Health. She has gained experience in a variety of settings, ranging from corporate wellness and preventive medicine, to mental health, chronic disease, and end-of-life care.

  • A headache associated with COVID-19 can feel like a tension headache or a migraine.
  • Some patients can also experience persistent daily headaches after recovering from an acute COVID-19 infection.
  • Lifestyle changes and certain medications may treat a COVID headache to an extent.

Headaches are one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19. But are they different from other types of headaches?

COVID headaches could manifest differently among individuals, according to Igor Koralnik, MD, chief of neuroinfectious diseases and global neurology at Northwestern Medicine. Headaches can be similar to a constant tension headache or a throbbing pain like a migraine attack.

About 70% of the patients at the Neuro COVID-19 Clinic at Northwestern Memorial Hospital experience headaches associated with the coronavirus, Koralnik added.

This is most likely multifactorial as many patients with are already suffering from fatigue and non-restorative sleep, both of which can trigger migraine headaches, she said.

What Does Sinus Pressure Feel Like

Sinus Headaches

Pain or pressure is felt not just in your head, but anywhere in the sinus area. Where you feel pain depends on which sinuses are affected.

While pressure is most common behind and around the eyes, nose, and cheeks, it can extend forward to the teeth and backward to the back of the head. These areas will often be sensitive to touch.

Sometimes sinus headache can also give you a feeling of fatigue or aching in your top jaw. Redness and swelling of the cheeks, nose, or forehead can occur.

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Signs Of A Sinus Headache

Usually, the pain associated with a sinus headache occurs in a very specific area of the face, often by the eyes, forehead and cheeks. Along with feeling pain similar to a standard headache, people suffering from sinus headaches often also feel pain when they touch their faces.

The symptoms of a sinus headache can be more severe or worse under certain conditions. For example, some people notice that their symptoms are most noticeable when the weather is humid or cold. Changes in pressure, which affect the pressure in the sinus cavities, can also make the pain of the headaches worse. Some people feel more pain if they put their head down, turn to the left or right quickly, or if they fly while suffering from a sinus headache.

In some instances, a person may experience cold symptoms along with a sinus headache. Its not uncommon for a person to have a runny nose or congestion at the same time as the headache, for instance.

When To Talk With A Doctor

Recurring headaches and suspected acute sinusitis should always be evaluated by a doctor. Experts believe that most people who self-diagnose sinusitis are actually experiencing migraines. Getting the correct diagnosis is crucial to successful treatment.

Sinus pain and pressure that doesnt improve after 7 days despite treatment could mean that youre being treated for the wrong condition, especially if you dont experience other sinus symptoms.

You should also see your doctor if your headaches are accompanied by symptoms typically experienced with migraine attacks.

You dont have to be experiencing sharp head pain in order to have a migraine. Accompanying nausea, vision changes, and light sensitivity could mean you have a migraine, and not a sinus headache.

For migraine treatment, you can start with your primary care physician, and if needed you may be referred to a headache specialist, possibly a neurologist or ear, nose, and throat doctor.

Read Also: Best Medicine To Reduce Sinus Pressure

Fight Head Congestion With Sudafed

Consider taking SUDAFED PE® Head Congestion+Pain. With Ibuprofen and phenylephrine , this coated tablet can help provide relief from your head cold symptoms and combat pesky nasal congestion and swelling, sinus pressure, headache, fever, and body aches. Always read and follow the label carefully, and make sure the product is right for you.

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Why Do I Have A Headache That Wont Go Away

Can sinus headache occur without congestion? – Dr. Sreenivasa Murthy T M

First things first: If your headache wont go away, you need to figure out if its a sinus headache that wont go away or something else. Sinus headaches are caused by a buildup of pressure in sinus cavities that have become inflamed and are blocking regular mucus drainage.

Sinus headaches are often accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • Feeling of pressure and/or throbbing around your sinuses
  • Increased pain upon bending over
  • Toothache in your upper teeth

Many of these symptoms, including congestion and increased pain upon bending over, can also be found in patients struggling with migraines. However, migraines are unlikely to last more than a few hours, whereas untreated sinus headaches can last for days at a time.

For more information about what might be behind your latest sinus headache, reference these additional posts:

Recommended Reading: Best Relief For Sinus Pain And Pressure

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Treatment For Chronic Sinus Headaches

Individuals suffering from sinus headaches who have sought treatment from a primary physician with little success may find it beneficial to seek other treatment options from a specialist. Although primary care physicians can often help patients with occasional sinus headaches, an ENT is better suited to helping patients with chronic sinus problems. Treatment for chronic sinus headaches can provide significant relief for those who suffer from them and make their daily lives much more enjoyable.

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When Should I See A Doctor

Whether you have sinusitis or not, you should consider seeing a doctor if experience the following:

  • Your headache lasts for longer than two weeks
  • The intensity of your headache is getting worse
  • You are getting more frequent headaches
  • The headaches are affecting your life
  • You have a fever that has lasted for longer than three days
  • Non-prescription painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen arent working

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What Actually Is Sinusitis

It is an inflammation of the tissue lining you sinuses located behind the trestle of your nose, inside your cheekbones, and forehead see the following image, credit to WebMD.

Sinuses are normally filled with air, thats why they are also often called as air-filled cavities. In sinusitis, the sinuss lining tissue gets inflamed and swollen, blocking the flow of mucus that normally drains into the nose. As a result, there will be bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can overgrow and cause an infection, worsening the problem.

This blockage can be triggered by a number of causes, such as allergic reaction, common cold, or particular disorders . People with a condition that weakens their body immune system are also at high risk. If the immune system is not as strong as usual, the infection is relatively easier to develop.

There are several different types of sinusitis. These include:

  • Acute sinusitis, typically characterized by cold-like symptoms such as nasal symptoms and facial pain. It usually lasts less than 4 weeks.
  • Sub-acute, if the problem lasts about 4-8 weeks.
  • Chronic, if it lasts 8 weeks or more.
  • And recurrent sinusitis. It is a term used if the problem attacks several times a year.
  • Fortunately, it is usually harmless and the treatment is not always necessary. Even many times, it responds to lifestyle measures .

    How Severe Are The Symptoms

    Sinusitis  Dr. Yasir Unani Herbal Hospital &  Research Center

    Most sinus infections go away on their own without severe symptoms or complications. If a sinus infection is caused by bacteria, you may need antibiotics.

    Many cases of COVID-19 may be mild or moderate. The World Health Organization estimates that

    Heres what to do next whether you think that you have a sinus infection or COVID-19.

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    What To Do About Sinus Headaches

    Headaches are one of the most common medical complaints for both women and men. Like any other medical issue, headaches require a clear understanding of whats causing painful symptoms in order to make sure the treatment is both effective and safe.

    Unfortunately, lots of issues can cause headaches and that makes it hard to know how to treat them. In fact, even though sinus headaches are a major cause of painful symptoms, theyre frequently misdiagnosed as tension headaches or migraines.

    With practices in Salt Lake City, Murray, Draper, Tooele, and West Jordan, Utah, ENT Specialists makes it easy for women and men to get the treatment they need for sinus headaches and their symptoms. Heres how to tell if your headaches might be related to your sinuses and what we can do to help you feel better.

    Pain Or Pressure In Your Sinuses

    Facial pain is a common symptom of sinusitis. You have several different sinuses above and below your eyes, as well as behind your nose. Any of these air-filled cavities can hurt when you have a sinus infection.

    Inflammation and swelling can cause your sinuses to ache with dull pressure. This is because inflammation may alter the typical path of mucus from the nose to the back of the throat.

    You may feel pain in:

    • on either side of your nose
    • in your upper jaws and teeth
    • between your eyes

    This may lead to a headache. Headaches caused by sinus infections can occur where the sinuses are or in other places.

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    Symptoms: Identifying A Sinus Headache

    Keep in mind that other kinds of headaches can feel similar to a sinus headache. But there are other symptoms associated with the headache that can indicate whether it is happening because of sinus issues.

    For example, notice if there are specific triggers that bring on the sinus headache. When you are experiencing these headaches simultaneously with a head cold or seasonal allergies, its a good indication that the sinuses are the underlying cause.

    Symptoms vary for each patient. But the most common symptoms of a sinus headache include a headache accompanied by one or more of these symptoms:

    • Headache pain increases when leaning down
    • Swelling and redness in the nose, cheeks, or forehead

    Relieve Your Sinus Headaches

    Say Goodbye to Sinus Headaches

    While some headaches respond well to rest and stress management, sinus headaches are caused by a medical problem affecting your sinus cavities. That means that in order to relieve those painful symptoms, you need to see an ENT doctor like the team at ENT Specialists.

    If youre having sinus headaches or headaches associated with facial pain or allergies, we here at ENT Specialists can help. Call the office or book an appointment online to learn about the techniques and treatment we use to help our patients find relief.

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    Your Sinus Headache May Not Be What You Think

    Topics in this Post

    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

    Sinus Headache Symptoms & Treatment Options

    Sinus headaches can bring acute discomfort to the sufferer, and are commonly experienced as pain across the forehead, nose and cheekbones. Sharp movements of the head can result in bursts of pain, making everyday life uncomfortable.

    For many sufferers, diagnosing whether you have a sinus issue or a migraine can be tricky. If you or your child areexperiencing the symptoms of sinus headache or a possible migraine, Dr. Chacko will diagnose the issue and work to find the best sinus treatment solution for you. Serving families in the Atlanta area, Chacko Allergy is ready to help.

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    What Causes Sinus Headaches

    Sinus infections cause sinus headaches. Anything that makes mucus buildup in the sinuses can lead to a sinus infection, such as:

    • The common cold is most often to blame.
    • Seasonal allergies trigger mucus production.
    • Nasal polyps, abnormal growths in the nose or sinuses. Nasal polyps can block mucus from draining.
    • Deviated septum, which is when the line of cartilage and bone down the center of the nose isnt straight. A deviated septum can prevent mucus from properly draining.

    Too much mucus gives germs an opportunity to grow. As germs build up, they irritate the sinuses. In response, sinus tissue swells, blocking the passage of mucus. Swollen, irritated sinuses filled with liquid make your face feel tender and achy.

    Common Sinus Headache Symptoms

    Sinus Surgery
    • Fever: You won’t always run a temperature when you have a headache caused by sinusitis, but it’s a distinct possibility, especially if the infection is caused by a bacteria rather than a virus. In that case, an antibiotic actually may be in order to knock out the bacteria.
    • Purulent nasal discharge: A thick, yellowish or greenish discharge is a sign of infection.
    • Ear or upper tooth pain: Ear and upper tooth pain are common complaints in those suffering from a sinus infection.

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    Cleaning The Nose With Salt Water

    A 2019 review found some indication that saltwater solutions can treat sinusitis. However, the researchers state that there was not enough evidence to confirm it helps or the best delivery method.

    People can purchase nasal rinsing kits with premixed saltwater solutions. Alternatively, they can make the solution at home. To do this:

  • Purchase 1 pint of distilled or sterile water. Alternatively, boil regular water from a faucet for
  • Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tsp of baking soda into the water.
  • Wash the hands with soap and water.
  • Stand over a sink and pour a small amount into a cupped palm. Sniff the water into one nostril, or use a nasal irrigation device, such as a neti pot.
  • Repeat in the other nostril. Allow as much water to flush out of the nose as possible. If it runs down the back of the throat, spit it out.
  • People should dispose of any leftover salt water, and make a fresh solution if using this technique repeatedly. A person should also clean any nasal irrigation devices thoroughly after each use. People should not use nasal rinses in children unless instructed by a doctor.

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