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Can congestion cause headaches: Sinus headaches – Symptoms & causes

Sinus headaches – Symptoms & causes

Overview

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.

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Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of sinus headaches may include:

  • Pain, pressure and fullness in the cheeks, brow or forehead
  • Worsening pain if you bend forward or lie down
  • Stuffy nose
  • Fatigue
  • Achy feeling in the upper teeth

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.

Both migraine and sinusitis headache pain often get worse when you bend forward. Migraine can also be accompanied by various nasal signs and symptoms — including congestion, facial pressure and a clear, watery nasal discharge. These are due to involvement of the autonomic nervous system in a migraine attack. In fact, studies have shown that most people who see a health care provider for sinus headaches are found to have migraines instead.

Sinusitis, however, usually isn’t associated with nausea or vomiting or aggravated by noise or bright light — all common features of migraines.

Sinusitis usually:

  • Occurs after a viral upper respiratory infection or cold
  • Includes thick, discolored nasal mucus
  • Is associated with a decreased sense of smell
  • Causes 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.

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
  • You miss school or work because of frequent headaches or the headaches interfere with your daily life

Causes

Sinus headaches are usually associated with migraines or other forms of headaches.

Sinus headaches are associated with pain and pressure in the face and sinuses and can cause nasal symptoms. Most of these headaches are not caused by sinus infections and generally should not be treated with antibiotics.

Risk factors

Sinus headaches can affect anyone but may be more likely if you have:

  • A previous history of migraines or headaches
  • A family history of migraines or headaches
  • Hormonal changes associated with headaches

Prevention

Whether or not you take preventive medications, you may benefit from lifestyle changes that can help reduce the number and severity of headaches. One or more of these suggestions may be helpful for you:

  • Avoid triggers. If certain foods or odors seem to have triggered your headaches in the past, avoid them. Your provider may recommend you reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake and avoid tobacco.

    In general, establish a daily routine with regular sleep patterns and regular meals. In addition, try to control stress.

  • Exercise regularly. Regular aerobic exercise reduces tension and can help prevent headaches. If your provider agrees, choose any aerobic exercise you enjoy, including walking, swimming and cycling.

    Warm up slowly, however, because sudden, intense exercise can cause headaches.

    Obesity is also thought to be a factor in headaches, and regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight or lose weight.

  • Reduce the effects of estrogen. If estrogen seems to trigger or make your headaches worse, you may want to avoid or reduce the medications you take that contain estrogen.

    These medications include birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. Talk with your provider about the appropriate alternatives or dosages for you.

Sinus headaches – Symptoms & causes

Overview

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.

Products & Services

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of sinus headaches may include:

  • Pain, pressure and fullness in the cheeks, brow or forehead
  • Worsening pain if you bend forward or lie down
  • Stuffy nose
  • Fatigue
  • Achy feeling in the upper teeth

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.

Both migraine and sinusitis headache pain often get worse when you bend forward. Migraine can also be accompanied by various nasal signs and symptoms — including congestion, facial pressure and a clear, watery nasal discharge. These are due to involvement of the autonomic nervous system in a migraine attack. In fact, studies have shown that most people who see a health care provider for sinus headaches are found to have migraines instead.

Sinusitis, however, usually isn’t associated with nausea or vomiting or aggravated by noise or bright light — all common features of migraines.

Sinusitis usually:

  • Occurs after a viral upper respiratory infection or cold
  • Includes thick, discolored nasal mucus
  • Is associated with a decreased sense of smell
  • Causes 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.

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
  • You miss school or work because of frequent headaches or the headaches interfere with your daily life

Causes

Sinus headaches are usually associated with migraines or other forms of headaches.

Sinus headaches are associated with pain and pressure in the face and sinuses and can cause nasal symptoms. Most of these headaches are not caused by sinus infections and generally should not be treated with antibiotics.

Risk factors

Sinus headaches can affect anyone but may be more likely if you have:

  • A previous history of migraines or headaches
  • A family history of migraines or headaches
  • Hormonal changes associated with headaches

Prevention

Whether or not you take preventive medications, you may benefit from lifestyle changes that can help reduce the number and severity of headaches. One or more of these suggestions may be helpful for you:

  • Avoid triggers. If certain foods or odors seem to have triggered your headaches in the past, avoid them. Your provider may recommend you reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake and avoid tobacco.

    In general, establish a daily routine with regular sleep patterns and regular meals. In addition, try to control stress.

  • Exercise regularly. Regular aerobic exercise reduces tension and can help prevent headaches. If your provider agrees, choose any aerobic exercise you enjoy, including walking, swimming and cycling.

    Warm up slowly, however, because sudden, intense exercise can cause headaches.

    Obesity is also thought to be a factor in headaches, and regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight or lose weight.

  • Reduce the effects of estrogen. If estrogen seems to trigger or make your headaches worse, you may want to avoid or reduce the medications you take that contain estrogen.

    These medications include birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. Talk with your provider about the appropriate alternatives or dosages for you.

Headache with a runny nose: measures, prevention

  1. Does the frontal part of the head hurt? Norm, pathologies
  2. Causes of pain
  3. Possible diagnoses that may lead to headache associated with a common cold
  4. How to eliminate a headache with a runny nose
  5. When to go to the doctor and not self-medicate
  6. Prophylaxis

One of the most annoying symptoms of a cold, a runny nose, is unpleasant in itself. Breathing is difficult, the mucous membranes are irritated and blocked, and if a headache is added to this, then the state of health completely deteriorates. What to do in this situation? Start treatment for a runny nose and eliminate congestion. The choice of drugs and methods depends on the nature of the disease, so it is necessary to establish the root cause of the onset of symptoms.

Does your forehead hurt? Norm, pathologies

The nature of a headache with a runny nose depends on the general condition, stage and type of the disease, the presence of concomitant health disorders.

Headache within the normal course of SARS or a cold:

  • weak, concentrated in the area of ​​the eyebrows, maxillary sinuses;
  • pulsating, reminiscent of whiskey;
  • variable (most often increases in the evening).

With ARVI, patients sometimes complain of debilitating pain, a feeling of “splitting of the head.” The condition is accompanied by photophobia, lacrimation. With a severe runny nose, the pain can become stabbing or bursting.

If diseases of the nasal cavity are accompanied by constant acute or dull pain in the frontal part of the head, dizziness, nausea, a feeling of pressure in the eyes, then this indicates the development of dangerous complications or the presence of other pathologies that require immediate medical attention.

Causes of pain

Viruses and bacteria cause intoxication. For this reason, along with protective mechanisms (fever, runny nose), a headache begins. The immune system throws all its strength into fighting the infection, in this case, general weakness, a feeling of “foggy” consciousness and discomfort in the frontal part of the head are a signal for a person to seek medical attention and treatment.

Another reason is increased intracranial pressure. The tissues of the upper respiratory tract swell due to a prolonged runny nose, the movement of blood flow is disturbed, due to which the vessels stretch and expand. A symptom of high blood pressure is a bursting, periodically acute headache, nausea and vomiting in the early morning.

If complications are added to the disease – sinusitis, otitis media – the patient feels “lumbago”. They occur due to swelling of the nasal mucosa and impaired outflow of fluid from the middle ear and paranasal sinuses.

Often the cause of a headache and subsequent ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection) is banal hypothermia, which leads to vasoconstriction. In this case, it has a squeezing, compressive character, appears before the development of rhinitis (runny nose) and persists in the early stages of the development of a cold.

Possible diagnoses in which headache may develop in the presence of a runny nose

Acute rhinitis, which arose against the background of SARS, passes in three stages. Headache appears at the very beginning, sometimes before a runny nose, may be aggravated by sneezing or coughing. Then breathing becomes difficult; a spray from a cold, drops or washing helps to alleviate the condition. In the third stage, the symptoms recede, the watery discharge becomes less abundant, acquires a mucous or, in the case of a bacterial infection, a purulent-mucous character.

Catarrhal chronic rhinitis is also accompanied by headache. The disease manifests itself periodically, it is characterized by thick mucous discharge and a weakened sense of smell. During an exacerbation, the patient feels bursting pain caused by vasodilation and swelling of the mucous membranes. The disease occurs due to untreated acute rhinitis.

In 88% of cases, chronic and recurrent sinusitis is accompanied by migraine headache. The disease involves inflammation of the maxillary sinus, its other name is sinusitis. It develops due to the ingress of viruses, bacteria, allergic reactions, most often it becomes the result of an untreated common cold.

How to get rid of a headache with a runny nose

Simple actions will help relieve the pain syndrome – if rhinitis has already appeared, it is necessary to regularly clean the nasal passages: blow out the mucus, rinse the nose with home or pharmacy solutions from the common cold.

In the treatment, sea water is effective for washing the nose. It cleanses the mucous membrane of bacteria and viruses, normalizes its physiological state.

In acute, aching headaches, painkillers with a different mechanism of action are indicated: paracetamol, ibuprofen, analgin, acetylsalicylic acid.

The patient needs to ensure peace: eliminate light and sound stimuli, arrange rest if possible and adhere to bed rest until the condition improves. The room must be well ventilated.

Massage of the temporal, interbrow areas and wings of the nose also helps to relieve headaches. In the absence of temperature, the condition will be relieved by a wet compress on the forehead.



When to go to the doctor and not self-medicate

A sluggish runny nose without purulent discharge and unmotivated headaches at a body temperature of about 37 degrees is a reason to see a doctor. These, at first glance, harmless symptoms may indicate the development of sinusitis.

At the height of the illness, patients experience mucus drip down the back of the throat and migraine symptoms: photophobia, severe headache, nausea, and vomiting. Self-medication in this case can cause serious harm to health and lead to severe swelling of the mucous membranes, narrowing of the nasal passages.

What symptoms should definitely visit a doctor:

  • chronic rhinitis;
  • regular headaches, especially intense ones;
  • signs of SARS and colds.

Insufficient treatment of the common cold causes the development of sinusitis, so even if the disease seems insignificant, it is necessary to consult a specialist and complete the course of therapy.

Prophylaxis

The simplest thing you can do is to avoid hypothermia and blowing in a draft. In cold, windy and wet weather, you must wear a hat, protect your neck from the wind, and wear warm shoes.

Prolonged stay in stuffy rooms with poor ventilation leads to the development of viral diseases. It is important to regularly ventilate the house, workplace, take walks in the fresh air.

In an overworked state, a person is more susceptible to infection with viral, infectious and respiratory diseases that lead to a runny nose. For prevention, it is important to establish a regimen of work and rest, as well as sleep.

People with weak immunity and a tendency to colds should be vaccinated with an antiviral drug 2-3 weeks before the start of the flu and SARS season. At the height of the disease – reduce visits to public places, take immunostimulating drugs, vitamins and dietary supplements.

causes of purulent disease and its symptoms

Contents

  • 1 Pansinusitis: symptoms, causes and treatment
    • 1.1 Pansinusitis – symptoms and causes
    • 1.2 Pansinusitis: basic information
    • 1.3 Causes of pansinusitis
    • 1.4 Pansinusitis: symptoms and signs
    • 1.5 How is pansinusitis diagnosed?
    • 1.6 Treatment of pansinusitis
    • 1. 7 Traditional treatment of pansinusitis
    • 1.8 Diet for pansinusitis
    • 1.9 Preventive measures against pansinusitis
      • 1.9.1 Basic rules for the prevention of pansinusitis:
    • 1.10 Consequences of pansinusitis
    • 1.11 When should I see a doctor for pansinusitis?
    • 1.12 Related videos:
    • 1.13 Q&A:
        • 1.13.0.1 What is pansinusitis?
        • 1.13.0.2 What are the symptoms associated with pansinusitis?
        • 1.13.0.3 How can pansinusitis be treated?
        • 1.13.0.4 How long is the treatment for pansinusitis?
        • 1.13.0.5 How can pansinusitis be prevented?
        • 1.13.0.6 What are the possible complications of pansinusitis?

Pansinusitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of all sinuses in the nose. Symptoms of pansinusitis include headaches, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, and fever. Check out the causes of pansinusitis and treatment methods in our article.

Pansinusitis is a disease that is manifested by inflammation of several sinuses of the nasal cavity at once. It is one of the most common types of sinusitis that can affect several paranasal sinuses at once: the maxillary, frontal, sphenoid, and nasal sinuses. As a result, acute or chronic leaky sinusitis can occur.

In this article, we will look at the causes of pansinusitis, its main symptoms and treatments. After reading the information about the disease, you will be able to correctly diagnose and treat it, as well as know what preventive measures should be taken to avoid the development of pansinusitis.

Pansinusitis – symptoms and causes

Pansinusitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of all the sinuses at once. The problem arises due to the stagnation of mucus in the sinuses, which creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of bacteria. Most often, pansinusitis occurs as a complication after an upper respiratory illness, the flu, or a cold.

Symptoms of pansinusitis include frontal and nasal pain that worsens when bending over, impaired sense of smell, runny nose, headache, weakness, and fever.

On examination, the overseer may notice swelling and redness of the nasal mucosa. In the presence of a purulent secret, the doctor will prescribe a bacteriological study to determine an effective treatment.

Treatment for pansinusitis depends on the cause and severity. The doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs, as well as physiotherapy procedures. If conservative treatment fails, surgery may be required, such as a sinus puncture or polypectomy.

Pansinusitis: basic information

Pansinusitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of all the sinuses in the head: anterior, posterior, etymoid and sphenoid. Such inflammation is quite complex and dangerous, since the meninges can suffer from it.

Symptoms of pansinusitis may include headache, runny nose, nasal congestion, toothache, and fever and fatigue. These same symptoms can also be seen with a cold, so it’s important to see a doctor if they don’t go away within a week or two.

Treatment for pansinusitis may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and pain medications. In some cases, drainage may be needed to remove mucus that has accumulated in the sinuses. It is important not to delay the visit to the doctor, as a short treatment can lead to further complications.

Causes of pansinusitis

Pansinusitis is a disease that occurs as a result of inflammation of all the sinuses. This disease can have many causes, such as:

  • Infections: Bacteria, fungi and viruses are the most common causes of pansinusitis. Infection can occur as a result of a cold or flu, as well as a violation of the lacrimal duct.
  • Allergies: Allergy sufferers may have mucosal swelling leading to sinus infections.
  • Weakened immunity: If you are immunocompromised, you are more susceptible to infections, which can lead to pansinusitis.
  • Poor environmental conditions: all kinds of pollution and dust in the air can cause irritation and inflammation in the nasal mucosa, which in turn will lead to pansinusitis.

Pansinusitis symptoms and signs

Pansinusitis is a serious condition that causes inflammation of all the sinuses and often requires treatment. It is important to pay attention to the symptoms in order to start treatment in a timely manner.

  1. Pain in forehead and cheeks . One of the most common symptoms of pansinusitis is pain in the forehead, cheeks, and eyes, which may worsen when the head is tilted or rolled.
  2. Runny nose and stuffy nose . Pansinusitis is often accompanied by a runny nose and nasal congestion, which creates additional pressure on the sinuses and worsens the patient’s condition.
  3. Redness and swelling around the eyes . Inflammation of the sinuses can lead to redness and swelling around the eyes, which may indicate the presence of pansinusitis.
  4. Headache and fatigue . Increased pressure and inflammation of the sinuses can cause headaches and general fatigue.
  5. Smallness and elevated body temperature . Pansinusitis can cause fever, weakness, and fatigue.

How is pansinusitis diagnosed?

To diagnose pansinusitis, the doctor examines the patient and reviews their medical history. The doctor may also ask questions about symptoms to determine the severity of the illness.

Applying a cotton swab to the mucous membrane of the nasal passages can also help in determining the diagnosis of pansinusitis. This method is called nasopharyngoscopy.

After all the necessary tests, the doctor determines the type and severity of pansinusitis and prescribes the appropriate treatment.

Treatment of pansinusitis

How to treat pansinusitis?

To treat pansinusitis, your doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics and drugs to relieve symptoms. It is important to understand that antibiotics do not always help with pansinusitis, especially if the disease is caused by a viral infection.

What are some ways to relieve the symptoms of pansinusitis?

  • Take pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce pain and fever;
  • Use nasal drops or sprays such as oxymetazoline to relieve nasal congestion;
  • Apply warm compresses to the face to reduce pain and swelling;
  • Drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration.

When is surgery needed?

If pansinusitis does not respond to medication, your doctor may recommend surgery. The operation may involve clearing the sinuses or restoring the flow of mucus.

Conventional treatments for pansinusitis

Pansinusitis is a disease that requires immediate treatment. It can cause serious consequences such as a weakened immune system and complications if not treated on time.

Traditional treatments for pansinusitis include antibiotics to help fight the infection. Analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs can help reduce pain and inflammation.

The method of rinsing the nose is well known. It helps clear the sinuses from short-term inflammation. It is important not to forget about hot compresses, which can help reduce pain and reduce swelling of the tissues associated with the disease.

In some cases, surgery may be required to remove polyps or other growths that may be blocking the airway.

It is important to remember that whatever treatments for pansinusitis you choose, they should be applied on the recommendation of a doctor. Improper treatment can make the situation worse, so it is best to consult a health care professional.

Diet for pansinusitis

Pansinusitis is an inflammation of several sinuses at once. In order to quickly recover from this disease, you must adhere to a certain diet. What foods should be excluded?

  • Spicy and fried foods – they stimulate the formation of mucus, which worsens the patient’s condition.
  • Dairy products – they help develop the bacteria that cause pansinusitis, so they should be avoided. In addition, dairy products are difficult to digest and can cause additional stress on the body.
  • Sweets and buns – these are high in carbohydrates and can cause congestion in the nose.

What can you eat with pansinusitis? Experts recommend increasing the consumption of vegetables, fruits and herbs. They help the body fight disease and provide essential vitamins and minerals. In addition, it is worth drinking more liquid – this will help moisturize the mucous membrane and make breathing easier.

Sample meal plan for pansinusitis: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Porridge with water Soup with vegetable broth Low-fat chicken broth
Fruit or berries Grilled chicken or fish Large porridge on water with vegetables
Tea or compote Salad from fresh vegetables Boiled rice with vegetable stew

Remember that in any illness, nutrition plays an important role in the healing process. A proper pansinusitis diet will help your body fight infection and recover faster.

Preventive measures against pansinusitis

Pansinusitis is a disease that requires serious treatment. To avoid the possibility of disease, preventive measures are necessary.

Basic rules for the prevention of pansinusitis:

  • Compliance with the rules of hygiene of the nasal cavity and mouth.
  • Avoid hypothermia and exposure to cold air.
  • Strengthen the immune system through regular physical activity and proper nutrition.
  • Prevention and timely treatment of upper respiratory diseases.
  • Avoid contact with people suffering from infectious diseases.

Also, it is important to remember to limit smoking – this increases the likelihood of pansinusitis and many other diseases.

What not to do in order not to get pansinusitis: ActionsConsequences

Prolonged exposure to a room with dry air Dryness of the mucous membrane of the nose and mouth, which can lead to pansinusitis
Frequent exposure to dirty and dusty environments Entry of foreign bacteria into the body and the development of pansinusitis
Excessive alcohol intake and smoking Decreased immunity and increased risk of pansinusitis 9030 4

Compliance with these rules will help to avoid pansinusitis and prevent many other bacterial and infectious diseases.

Consequences of pansinusitis

Impaired sense of smell and taste: In pansinusitis, inflammation can spread to the nasal mucosa, which can lead to impaired function of smell and taste. This is due to the fact that there are many receptors in the nose that cannot work when sick.

Complications during treatment: Chronic pansinusitis can develop complications that make it difficult to treat the disease. For example, the formation of polyps in the sinuses is possible. They reduce the effectiveness of drug therapy and the need for surgery.

Development of sepsis: The consequences of pansinusitis can be very serious, especially if the disease becomes chronic. If the mucous membrane expands to the bone marrow, sepsis may develop – a severe inflammatory disease that requires immediate treatment in a hospital.

Lung disease: Pansinusitis can have some effects that are not at the level of the respiratory system, but at the level of the lungs. This is due to the fact that the disease can lead to impaired respiratory function, and this worsens the quality of oxygen metabolism in the body. The lungs begin hypoxic stress, which can lead to the development of complications in this organ.

When should I see a doctor for pansinusitis?

If you have signs of pansinusitis, see your doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the disease, but they usually include a runny nose, headache, facial pain, nasal congestion, impaired sense of smell, purulent discharge from the nose, and other breathing problems.

Rare but more serious symptoms of pansinusitis may include persistent headache, fever, and swelling of the eyeball. If you have these symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately.

Treatment for pansinusitis may include medications to reduce swelling and reduce inflammation, and physical therapy. If the disease is too advanced, surgery may be required. However, in each case, the decision on the choice of a particular method of treatment must be made by the doctor.

  • Do not delay going to the doctor if you have symptoms of pansinusitis;
  • Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop such as persistent headache, swelling of the eyeball and fever;
  • Follow your doctor’s instructions for treating pansinusitis.

Related videos:

Q&A:

What is pansinusitis?

Pansinusitis is an inflammation of all the sinuses. It can occur both against the background of a common cold, and as a result of an allergic reaction or a bacterial infection.

What are the symptoms associated with pansinusitis?

Symptoms of pansinusitis may include: headache, nasal congestion, presence of purulent substance in the mucus, general weakness of the body, fever, pain in the eyes or teeth.

How can pansinusitis be treated?

Treatment for pansinusitis may include antibiotics, mucolytics, and antivirals, as well as nasal and paranasal sinus rinsing solutions.