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.
What does sinus pressure feel like? Sinus pressure might feel like tightness or achiness in your face — particularly around your eyes, nose, forehead or cheekbones. Sinus pressure can even radiate to other areas, like your scalp, teeth and jaws.
Migraines are commonly misdiagnosed as sinus headache in approximately 42% of patients 10 due to sharing overlapping symptoms (facial pain-fullness, nasal congestion and rhinorrhoea), precipitating triggers (weather changes, allergies and environmental irritants) and common locations with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) ...
Causes and Risk Factors
Sinusitis, whether allergic, nonallergic or fungal, can cause changes in the pressure in the sinuses that can then cause headaches. Allergies, a weak immune system, nasal growths (polyps) or asthma can increase the risk of sinus headaches and sinusitis.
Sinusitis usually occurs after a viral upper respiratory infection or cold, and includes thick, discolored nasal mucus, decreased sense of smell, and pain in one cheek or upper teeth. Headaches due to sinus disease often last days or longer, and migraines most commonly last hours to a day or two.
Pain caused by pressure buildup in the sinus cavities may be relieved with acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).
Acupresssure Point LI 20: Located at the base of your nose, this pressure point can help relieve sinus pressure. Acupresssure Point SI18: Located where your cheekbones meet your nose, this pressure point can relieve sinus congestion.
While sinus headaches are a part of sinus infections, sinus infections come with a host of other symptoms as well. These include fever and fatigue, postnasal drip and sore thought, coughing and nasal congestion, all in addition to the pain and pressure patients often feel from their forehead down to their neck.
Sinus headaches involve pressure or pain in the forehead, brow, below or behind the eye, behind the ear, and, occasionally, sensitivity in the upper gums. This pain is typically constant and on one side, but it may be on both sides of the head.
You'll feel a deep and constant pain in your cheekbones, forehead, or the bridge of your nose. The pain usually gets stronger when you move your head suddenly or strain. At the same time, you might have other sinus symptoms, such as: A runny nose.
An untreated sinus infection may cause ansomnia, a decrease, or a complete loss of smell. Inflammation and blockage of your sinus passageways or damage to your olfactory nerves cause ansomnia. In many cases, ansomnia is only temporary but can become permanent.
About 70% of sinus infections go away within two weeks without antibiotics.
Vicks VapoRub — a topical ointment made of ingredients including camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol that you rub on your throat and chest — doesn't relieve nasal congestion. But the strong menthol odor of VapoRub may trick your brain, so you feel like you're breathing through an unclogged nose.
Sinusitis is swelling of the sinuses, usually caused by an infection. It's common and usually clears up on its own within 2 to 3 weeks. But medicines can help if it's taking a long time to go away.
When to see a doctor. Consult your provider if: Your headache symptoms occur more than 15 days a month or require frequent pain medicine available without a prescription. You have a severe headache, and pain medicine available without a prescription doesn't help.
Sinus Headache
They frequently occur in the morning because while you're sleeping mucus collects and drains. Days with high pollen count are also culprits. For these headaches breathing in steam can do wonders for relieving the pain and inflammation.
Your body uses up a lot of energy to fight off a sinus infection, and this can cause you to feel fatigued for the time you have it. Some of the other symptoms of the condition, such as dizziness and a cough, can also make you feel more and more tired with time.