Sinus headaches are headaches that may feel like an infection in the sinuses (sinusitis). You may feel pressure around the eyes, cheeks and forehead. Perhaps your head throbs. But, this pain might actually be caused by a migraine.
Sinus headaches can be caused by sinus congestion and inflammation, called sinusitis. Sinusitis, in turn, is caused by either a respiratory infection, such as a cold or flu, or allergies, like hay fever. Healthy sinuses allow mucus to drain and air to circulate throughout the nasal passages.
Headaches due to sinus disease often last days or longer, and migraines most commonly last hours to a day or two.
It's possible to have a sinus headache without any congestion, especially if you have a history of allergies and other sinus issues. However, a sinus headache is usually associated with allergies, colds, or an infection. Migraines are commonly misdiagnosed as sinusitis.
Persistent sinusitis symptoms for longer than 10 days, especially with “double worsening.” This means symptoms start to improve and then get worse a few days later. A fever, especially a high one over 102 ℉. Asymmetric pain (one side much worse than the other) in one or more sinus areas.
See a doctor if you have: Severe symptoms, such as severe headache or facial pain. Symptoms that get worse after improving. Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without getting better.
Brook: It doesn't always mean that there's an infection present that needs antibiotics. It usually indicates that there's some inflammation in the nose that's causing discharge. Sometimes, that could be from just allergies. Sometimes, it can be from a viral illness.
Symptoms of a sinus infection include ear pain, headaches, facial pain and tenderness, nasal discharge, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, fever, and fatigue. If these symptoms persist or become intolerable despite treatment, or if they improve only to return, it's time to seek medical assistance.
Avoid the Triggers
Alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes are examples of some of the things that can trigger a sinus headache. Additionally, it is important to keep your stress level under control. Stress is another thing that can trigger headaches.
Causes of pressure include allergies, sinusitis, upper respiratory infections, and headache disorders. More serious causes include ICP, brain aneurysm, and brain injury.
Some symptoms of encephalitis include headache, fever or tiredness. Encephalitis occurs when the infection reaches to the brain. Some severe symptoms include hallucinations, paralysis, seizures, or loses consciousness.
Stress and anxiety can affect your sinuses indirectly by increasing your susceptibility to a range of health issues that, in turn, worsen your sinus problems. Sustained stress can weaken your body's immune system, making you more vulnerable to the effects of allergens, as well as germs, bacteria, viruses, infections.
Among the host of negative effects and health conditions that can result from extended periods of stress, most people don't think of sinus issues as one of those conditions. In actuality, stress can absolutely trigger sinus issues.
What Is Sinus Headache? Sinus headache occurs when the sinus passages behind your eyes, nose, cheeks, and forehead are congested. This causes pressure and pain. You might experience sinus headache on either or both sides of your head.
Tests for Sinusitis. Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms, and then they'll look inside your nose. They may start out with an otoscope, an instrument that helps doctors examine the ear and nose. Signs of swelling, congestion, and infection may be obvious, and you may learn right away that it's sinusitis.
Keep in mind that if you do have sinus pressure, this doesn't necessarily mean you have a sinus infection. Everyday, non-serious issues, including allergies and the common cold can lead to sinus pressure and sinus headaches.
Some people with allergies can have “allergic fungal sinus infection.” Acute sinus infection lasts three to eight weeks. A sinus infection lasting longer than eight weeks is considered chronic.
Sinus and Facial Pressure
While a cold can sometimes irritate the sinuses and cause swelling, experiencing constant facial pressure and pain for many days is often a sign of a sinus infection.
When trying to determine if what you're experiencing is a sinus headache, ask yourself if you're feeling congested, and whether it hurts when you press down on your cheeks or forehead (where the sinuses are located). If the answer to these questions is no, it's probably a migraine or a tension headache.
The difference between a headache caused by a brain tumor and a “regular” headache is that the former is persistent and ongoing, while the latter is more likely to come and go. “[Head pain signaling a tumor] is usually a new headache that you've never had before, and it's more of a dull ache,” Martuza says.
See a GP if: your headache keeps coming back. painkillers do not help and your headache gets worse. you have a bad throbbing pain at the front or side of your head – it could be a migraine or, more rarely, a cluster headache.