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The Link Between Sinusitis and Headaches: What You Should Know
Have you ever experienced a dull pain behind your eyes, forehead, cheekbones, or the bridge of your nose? If you answered yes, then you might have experienced what is called sinus headaches.
What are Sinus Headaches?
Sinus headaches are a build-up of pressure in your sinuses. The pressure is due to inflammation and infection in the sinus passages. When the sinuses swell, they cannot drain mucus properly, leading to mucus buildup and nasal blockages.
This results in constant pain behind the eyes, in the cheekbones, forehead, and the bridge of the nose. The pain will typically get stronger when you move or turn your head or when you bend over. Sinus headaches make the face hurt – it’s what separates it from regular headaches.
Here are common signs that what you have are sinus headaches instead of regular headaches:
- The headache worsens when you bend over or lie down
- Pain and pressure in your face, specifically behind the eyes, forehead, cheeks, or the bridge of the nose
- The pain worsens with sudden movements of the head
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- The headache starts when your sinuses start acting up too
- Pain in the teeth
The Link Between Sinusitis and Headaches
Sinus headaches are a common symptom of sinusitis.
Sinusitis occurs when the air-filled spaces behind your nose, cheekbones, and forehead—known as sinuses—become infected. The linings of your sinuses naturally produce mucus to keep them moisturized and trap airborne contaminants, preventing you from inhaling harmful particles.
Under normal conditions, this mucus drains smoothly through the sinus passages. However, factors like environmental irritants, airborne allergens, and other triggers can inflame and irritate the sinuses. When inflammation occurs, mucus drainage is blocked, leading to a buildup that increases the risk of sinus infections. Common symptoms of sinus infections include congestion, postnasal drip, a runny nose, fatigue, facial pain, and sinus headaches.
You can often differentiate sinus headaches from migraines or other types of headaches if they are accompanied by recent sinusitis symptoms, such as a cold or allergy flare-up. A doctor can confirm whether your headache is related to a sinus infection through a physical examination. In severe cases, imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans may be needed for a more accurate diagnosis.
How to Relieve Sinus Headaches and Associated Symptoms
Sinus headaches are directly linked to sinusitis and are considered a symptom of the condition. To alleviate a sinus headache, your healthcare provider will focus on treating the underlying sinus infection.
If the infection is bacterial, your provider may prescribe a course of antibiotics. However, antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections, which typically resolve on their own without specific treatment.
Your care provider might recommend other medications like:
- Decongestants to reduce congestion and swelling in the sinus passages
- Antihistamines to prevent and manage allergies
- Pain relievers for headache and pain associated with sinusitis
- Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in the sinuses
There are also simple and at-home approaches you might want to consider:
- Use an indoor humidifier to reduce dryness in the air
- Irrigate your nasal passages with steam inhalation
- Apply a warm compress to ease pain in specific areas of your face
Know More and Do Better With Richmond Breathe Free
If the pain and discomfort associated with your sinuses become unbearable, it might be time to consult with a professional care provider. While at-home interventions can ease the pain on some level, a professional consultation might finally put an end to your misery.
At Richmond Breathe Free, we are committed to helping our patients find solutions to their sinus health concerns. Schedule a consultation with our team today and free yourself from headaches, sinus pain, and stress!