What are the most effective treatments for sinus headaches. How can you distinguish between a sinus headache and a migraine. What causes sinus infections and how do they lead to headaches. What home remedies can provide relief from sinus pressure and pain.

Understanding Sinus Headaches: Causes and Symptoms

Sinus headaches are a common ailment that can cause significant discomfort and interfere with daily activities. To effectively manage these headaches, it’s crucial to understand their underlying causes and recognize the symptoms.

What Are Sinuses and How Do They Function?

Sinuses are a network of hollow spaces located behind the cheekbones, forehead, and nose. These air-filled cavities produce thin mucus that serves an important purpose in our respiratory system. As we breathe, the mucus traps harmful particles such as dust, pollutants, and bacteria, preventing them from reaching our lungs. This mucus then drains out through the nose, helping to keep our airways clean and healthy.

The Root Causes of Sinus Headaches

Contrary to popular belief, true sinus headaches are relatively rare. In fact, about 80% of what people perceive as sinus headaches are actually migraines with nasal symptoms. However, when sinus headaches do occur, they are typically the result of a sinus infection, also known as sinusitis.

Several factors can contribute to the development of sinus infections:

• Common cold: This is the most frequent culprit behind sinus infections.
• Seasonal allergies: These can trigger excessive mucus production.
• Nasal polyps: These abnormal growths in the nose or sinuses can obstruct mucus drainage.
• Deviated septum: An misaligned nasal septum can impede proper mucus flow.

When mucus builds up in the sinuses, it creates an environment conducive to bacterial growth. As bacteria multiply, they irritate the sinus tissues, causing swelling and inflammation. This swelling can block the normal drainage of mucus, leading to increased pressure and pain in the facial area.

Recognizing Sinus Headache Symptoms

Sinus headaches are characterized by a distinct set of symptoms that can help differentiate them from other types of headaches:

• Facial pain and pressure, particularly in the cheekbones, forehead, and bridge of the nose
• Pain that worsens with sudden head movements
• Fever
• Nasal congestion
• Thick, colored mucus discharge
• Feeling of fullness in the ears
• Swollen or puffy face

Can you experience a sinus headache without congestion? It’s unlikely. If you’re not experiencing nasal congestion, the pain in your face is more likely due to a migraine or tension headache rather than a sinus-related issue.

Differentiating Sinus Headaches from Migraines

Given the similarity in symptoms, it’s easy to confuse sinus headaches with migraines. However, there are key differences that can help in distinguishing between the two:

Sinus Headache Characteristics

• Typically accompanied by a fever
• Thick, discolored nasal mucus
• Pain localized to sinus areas
• Symptoms often worsen when bending forward

Migraine Characteristics

• May include facial pain and nasal congestion
• Clear nasal discharge
• Often accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound
• Nausea or vomiting in some cases
• Pain may be more widespread and throbbing

Is it possible for allergies to cause sinus headaches? While allergies themselves don’t directly cause headaches, they can lead to sinus congestion, which in turn may result in sinus pressure, pain, and potentially infection. Interestingly, individuals with seasonal allergies are ten times more likely to experience migraines.

Diagnosis of Sinus Headaches: Ensuring Accurate Assessment

Given the frequent misdiagnosis of migraines as sinus headaches, it’s crucial to seek professional medical advice for an accurate diagnosis. Healthcare providers employ several methods to determine the true nature of your headache:

Physical Examination and Symptom Assessment

Your healthcare provider will conduct a thorough physical exam and discuss your symptoms in detail. They will ask about the location, duration, and intensity of your pain, as well as any accompanying symptoms like nasal discharge or fever.

Imaging Tests for Severe or Persistent Cases

In cases where symptoms are severe or ongoing, your doctor may recommend imaging tests to rule out other conditions and confirm the diagnosis:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This can help exclude serious brain conditions.
• X-rays: These can reveal sinus blockages.
• Computed Tomography (CT) scan: This provides detailed images of the sinuses.
• Nasal endoscopy: A thin, flexible tube with a camera is used to view the inside of your nose and sinuses.

Why is accurate diagnosis so important? Proper identification of the underlying cause ensures that you receive the most appropriate and effective treatment, whether it’s for a true sinus headache or a migraine with sinus symptoms.

Effective Treatments for Sinus Headaches

Once a sinus headache has been correctly diagnosed, there are several treatment options available to alleviate symptoms and address the underlying cause:

Home Remedies for Sinus Relief

Several at-home treatments can help ease sinus pressure and pain:

• Apply warm compresses to painful areas of the face
• Use a decongestant to reduce sinus swelling and promote mucus drainage
• Try saline nasal sprays or drops to thin mucus
• Use a vaporizer or inhale steam to help relieve congestion

Medical Treatments for Sinus Infections

If your sinus headache is caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe:

• Antibiotics or antifungal medications
• Antihistamines to prevent allergy symptoms
• Decongestants to reduce nasal and sinus swelling
• Pain relievers to manage headache pain
• Steroids to reduce inflammation

How long does it typically take for sinus infection treatments to work? While individual responses vary, many people start to feel relief within a few days of starting antibiotics. However, it’s important to complete the full course of medication as prescribed by your doctor.

Treatment for Migraines with Sinus Symptoms

If your sinus headache is actually a migraine, treatment will differ. Your healthcare provider may recommend:

• Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers
• Triptans, which are specific migraine medications
• Preventive medications for frequent migraines
• Lifestyle changes to help manage migraine triggers

Preventing Sinus Headaches: Proactive Measures

While not all sinus headaches can be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce their frequency and severity:

Maintaining Sinus Health

• Practice good hygiene, especially during cold and flu season
• Stay hydrated to keep mucus thin and flowing
• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air, particularly in dry climates
• Avoid known allergens and irritants

Managing Allergies

If allergies contribute to your sinus issues:

• Take allergy medications as prescribed
• Use air purifiers to reduce airborne allergens
• Keep windows closed during high pollen days
• Regularly clean your living space to reduce dust and other allergens

How effective is nasal irrigation in preventing sinus headaches? Many people find that regular use of a neti pot or other nasal irrigation device helps keep sinuses clear and reduces the frequency of sinus-related headaches.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Sinus Headaches

While many sinus headaches can be managed at home, certain situations warrant professional medical attention:

Red Flags for Immediate Care

• Severe headache that comes on suddenly
• Headache accompanied by fever, stiff neck, or confusion
• Persistent headache that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter treatments
• Changes in vision or speech
• Headaches that worsen over time

Chronic Sinus Issues

If you experience recurrent sinus headaches or infections, it’s important to consult with an ear, nose, and throat specialist. They can evaluate whether there are underlying structural issues, such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum, that may be contributing to your chronic sinus problems.

Should you see a specialist for recurring sinus headaches? If you have more than three sinus infections in a year, or if your symptoms persist despite treatment, it’s advisable to consult with an otolaryngologist for a comprehensive evaluation.

The Impact of Lifestyle on Sinus Health

Your daily habits and environment can significantly influence your sinus health and susceptibility to headaches:

Dietary Considerations

Certain foods and drinks may affect sinus health:

• Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas
• Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can be dehydrating
• Consider reducing dairy intake if it seems to increase mucus production
• Incorporate foods rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants to support immune function

Environmental Factors

Your surroundings play a crucial role in sinus health:

• Maintain clean air filters in your home and car
• Use hypoallergenic bedding to reduce exposure to dust mites
• Avoid strong odors and chemical irritants
• Consider using a air purifier in your bedroom

How does air quality affect sinus health? Poor air quality, whether due to pollution, allergens, or irritants, can inflame the nasal passages and sinuses, increasing the risk of congestion and headaches. Improving indoor air quality and being mindful of outdoor air quality reports can help manage sinus health.

Stress Management

Stress can exacerbate sinus issues and trigger headaches. Incorporating stress-reduction techniques into your routine can be beneficial:

• Practice regular meditation or deep breathing exercises
• Engage in gentle yoga or tai chi
• Ensure adequate sleep and maintain a consistent sleep schedule
• Consider counseling or therapy if stress is a significant ongoing issue

Advanced Treatments for Chronic Sinus Issues

For individuals with persistent sinus problems that don’t respond to conservative treatments, there are several advanced options to consider:

Minimally Invasive Procedures

• Balloon sinuplasty: A procedure that uses a small balloon to dilate sinus passages
• Endoscopic sinus surgery: A technique to remove blockages and improve sinus drainage
• Septoplasty: Surgical correction of a deviated septum

Immunotherapy

For those with allergies contributing to chronic sinus issues, immunotherapy can be an effective long-term solution:

• Allergy shots: Regular injections to build tolerance to specific allergens
• Sublingual immunotherapy: Oral drops or tablets that work similarly to allergy shots

What is the success rate of these advanced treatments? While individual results vary, many patients experience significant improvement in their sinus symptoms after undergoing these procedures or treatments. For example, studies have shown that balloon sinuplasty can provide symptom relief for up to two years in 85% of patients.

Emerging Therapies

Research in sinus health is ongoing, with new treatments on the horizon:

• Biologic medications for chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps
• Novel drug-eluting stents to maintain sinus openings after surgery
• Photodynamic therapy to target bacterial biofilms in chronic sinusitis

As our understanding of sinus health continues to evolve, so too will the treatments available to those suffering from chronic sinus headaches and related conditions. Staying informed about these advancements and discussing them with your healthcare provider can help ensure you have access to the most effective treatments for your specific situation.

Sinus Headaches: Treatment, Symptoms & Causes

Overview

Location of frontal and maxillary sinuses shown on face

What are sinuses?

Sinuses are a series of connected, hollow spaces behind your cheekbones, forehead and nose

(see illustration). The sinuses produce thin mucus. As air travels through the sinuses to your lungs, the mucus traps harmful particles like dust, pollutants and bacteria. The mucus drains out through your nose.

What is a sinus headache?

About 80% of the time, what people call a sinus headache is actually a migraine with nasal symptoms. A true sinus headache develops because of a sinus infection (sinusitis). The infection causes pain and pressure in the sinuses.

How common are sinus headaches?

Sinus headaches are very common with an infection. You can also feel like you have a sinus headache when you have migraines, which affect 12% of people.

Symptoms and Causes

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 isn’t 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.

Do allergies cause sinus headaches (allergy headaches)?

Allergies themselves don’t cause headaches. However, allergies can cause sinus congestion (stuffy nose), which can lead to sinus pressure, pain and infection. If you have seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis), you’re 10 times more likely to suffer from migraines, too.

What does a sinus headache feel like?

When you have a sinus headache, your face hurts. Typically, pain gets worse when you move your head suddenly. Depending on the sinus affected, you may feel a constant dull ache behind the eyes or in your:

• Cheekbones.
• Forehead.
• Bridge of the nose.

What are the other symptoms of sinus headaches?

Besides facial pain, sinus headaches cause other symptoms, including:

• Fever.
• Stuffy nose.
• Thick, colored mucus discharge from the nose.
• Feeling of fullness in the ears.
• Swollen or puffy face.

Can you have a sinus headache without being congested?

If you don’t have congestion, it’s probably not a sinus headache. The pain in your face is more likely due to a migraine (severe headache) or tension headache.

What’s the difference between a sinus headache and a migraine?

It’s easy to confuse the two, since migraines can also cause facial pain, nasal congestion and a runny nose. With a migraine, nasal discharge is clear. If you have a real sinus headache — caused by a sinus infection — you’ll also have a fever and thick, discolored nasal mucus.

Diagnosis and Tests

How are sinus headaches diagnosed?

Most of the time when people diagnose themselves with a sinus headache, it’s really a migraine. So, it’s important to see your healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or ongoing, you may also need imaging tests. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test can rule out serious brain conditions. Multiple imaging tests can reveal sinus blockages and include:

• X-rays.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan.
• Nasal endoscopy (a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera that views inside your nose and sinus).

Management and Treatment

How do I get rid of a sinus headache?

To get rid of a sinus headache, you have to treat the underlying cause. But you can take steps to ease sinus pressure and pain at home:

• Apply a warm compress to painful areas of the face.
• Use a decongestant to reduce sinus swelling and allow mucus to drain.
• Try a saline nasal spray or drops to thin mucus.
• Use a vaporizer or inhale steam from a pan of boiled water. Warm, moist air may help relieve sinus congestion.

Sinus infection

Viruses, bacteria and sometimes fungi cause sinus infections. Viral infections often go away on their own. But if your infection is bacterial or fungal, you need antibiotics or antifungal medications. Your healthcare provider may also recommend other medications to ease discomfort, such as:

• Antihistamines to prevent allergy symptoms.
• Decongestants to reduce swelling in the nose and sinuses.
• Pain relievers to ease headache pain.
• Steroids to reduce inflammation.

Migraines with sinus symptoms

Sinus headaches that are actually migraines need a different type of treatment. The first step is to relieve your pain. You should know that frequently using over-the-counter medications when you have a headache can cause even more headaches (rebound or medication overuse headaches).

Your provider may recommend prescription medication for migraine pain. You may also need a preventive medication that helps you have fewer migraine attacks.

Prevention

How can I prevent a sinus headache?

You can prevent recurring sinus infections (chronic sinusitis) by treating the root cause. For allergies, seeing an allergy specialist for treatment can help. For a deviated septum, your healthcare provider may need to perform surgery. If you have nasal polyps, you may need a procedure to remove them.

Outlook / Prognosis

How long do sinus headaches last?

Viruses cause most sinus infections. A viral sinus infection typically resolves on its own. Similar to how the common cold clears up by itself, your sinus headache should feel better within about a week. If it doesn’t go away, see your healthcare provider. You may have a bacterial or fungal sinus infection that requires medication.

Living With

What can I do about recurring sinus headaches?

Many sinus headaches, especially those that recur, are actually migraines. But it’s smart to see your healthcare provider to figure out the cause of your headaches.

You may find that the best long-term solution is figuring out what triggers your migraine headaches so you can avoid them. It’s helpful to keep a headache diary to track potential triggers. Triggers you can control include:

• Alcohol.
• Caffeine.
• Specific foods, such as chocolate, red wine or strong cheese.
• Lack of sleep.
• Stress.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

People often mistake migraines for sinus headaches. But treatment for those two conditions is very different, so it’s important to pinpoint the real problem. If you’ve had more than one sinus infection or get frequent sinus headaches, seek medical care. Getting to the bottom of what’s going on will help you find a successful treatment.

Sinus Headaches | Cedars-Sinai

Not what you’re looking for?

Overview

Pressure around the eyes, forehead and cheeks usually means a sinus headache, but other conditions may be causing the discomfort. Sinusitis, tension, or a migraine may be causing the headache.

Symptoms

Besides pressure and pain in the forehead, cheeks and behind the eyes, a sinus headache may worsen if you bend forward or lie down. Such headaches may also be associated with a sore throat, fever, cough, fatigue or other cold-like symptoms.

Several symptoms help distinguish a sinus headache from a migraine headache. A migraine usually worsens with noise or bright light, and a migraine is often accompanied by nausea or vomiting.

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.

Diagnosis

If your sinus headache does not respond to over-the-counter medications, you have a fever or the headache persists for more than 10 days, you should see a doctor. The doctor will conduct a physical examination and ask you about your headaches. The doctor may use an endoscope, which is a small, flexible tube, to look up into your sinuses. Mucus samples may also be taken to determine if a bacterial or fungal infection is present. In certain cases, a CT or MRI scan is used to check for other causes of sinus headaches.

Treatment

In many cases, antibiotics are prescribed to treat sinusitis, which is often the cause of sinus headaches. If the headache is caused by inflammation or allergies, corticosteroid nasal sprays or pills may be prescribed.

Over-the-counter pain medication, decongestants and saline nasal spray can help with the discomfort caused by sinus headaches while other treatments take time to have an effect.

In rare cases, surgery may be required if the sinusitis is caused by an anatomical problem.

To help reduce the risk of sinus headaches, wash your hands often, avoid tobacco smoke and any allergens that you may be allergic to, and use a humidifier to moisturize the dry air in your home.

© 2000-2021 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions.

Not what you’re looking for?

Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Around 70% to 80% of the population in the United States experience headaches, with 50% experiencing a minimum of one headache each month, 15% a minimum of one a week and 5% every day. The occurrence of headaches increases dramatically when you’re in your 20s. After that it levels off until you reach between the age of 40 through 50 years old, after which it reduces.

What Is a Sinus Headache?

A sinus headache occurs when your sinus passages behind your nose, cheeks, eyes and forehead become congested.  You can feel it on either side of your head or both at the same time. You’ll not only experience pressure or pain in your head, but also anywhere in your sinus area. In some cases, a sinus headache is a symptom of the ongoing sinus condition called sinusitis.

A sinus headache can occur seasonally if you experience allergies, or only once in a while when something triggers your sinuses for some other reason. 

What Does a Sinus Headache Feel Like?

When you experience sinus headaches, your face hurts. Usually, pain becomes worse when you suddenly move your head. Depending on the affected sinus, you might feel a continuous dull ache behind your eyes or in your:

• Forehead
• Cheekbones
• Bridge of your nose

What Are the Signs of a Sinus Headache?

Along with your common symptoms of facial pressure and pain and sinus and nasal congestion, it’s likely you might experience symptoms associated with migraine, such as:

• Sensitivity to noise and/or light
• Nausea
• Throbbing pain and pulsing
• Moderate to severe headache
• Headache worsened by activity

Request an Appointment today with one of our houston ENT and Allergy Doctors 

What Are the Sinus Headache Symptoms?

Sinus headaches might give you pressure and pain around your sinuses – in your forehead, particularly between and behind your eyes and above your nose. These areas might feel a bit tender to the touch. Pain may become worse with movement, such as lying down or bending over. If pain is the only symptom you experience, you likely aren’t experiencing a sinus headache. Sinus headaches typically present other symptoms too, such as:

• Nasal discharge
• Stuffy nose
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Cough

Headaches and migraines from sinusitis are simple to confuse because the symptoms and signs of both could overlap.

Both sinusitis and migraine headache pain frequently becomes worse when bending forward. Migraine could also be accompanied by a variety of nasal symptoms and signs, including:

• Facial pressure
• Congestion
• Water, clear nasal discharge

This is because when you’re experiencing a migraine attack, it involves the autonomic nervous system. In fact, research has shown that around 90% of individuals who see a physician for sinus headaches, actually are experiencing migraines instead.

However, sinusitis typically isn’t linked with nausea or vomiting and isn’t usually aggravated by bright light or noise which are all common migraine features.

Sinusitis typically occurs after a cold or upper respiratory infection and includes:

• Discolored, thick nasal mucus
• Pain in upper teeth or one cheek
• Decreased sense of smell

Headaches related to sinus disease frequently last for days, maybe longer and migraines typically last for hours; sometimes a day or two.

How Do You Get Rid of a Sinus Headache?

No doubt if you have a sinus headache you want to know how to relieve a sinus headache. Fortunately, many sinus infections will go away within seven to 10 days by themselves, just through the use of home remedies. 

There are several things you can do from your home that might relieve your sinus headaches, including:

1. Spray

Use an OTC nasal decongestant spray containing salt water to help to:

• Unblock congestion
• Moisturize your nasal passages
• Treat inflammation

Certain sprays can only be used no more than a few days, such as Afrin. If you go past the three days, you could experience worse nasal congestion or “rebound.” Other nasal sprays, such as fluticasone, are more efficient the more you use them. 

2. Flush

Use a therapy that uses a water and salt solution, known as a Neti pot, to flush out your nasal passages. Using the Neti pot, nasal irrigation has been a proven treatment for sinus congestion for centuries. Many people swear by them and use them everyday or weekly to maintain good-flowing sinuses. When using a Neti pot, however, only use distilled water.

3. Hydrate

Make sure you drink plenty of fluids – juice and/or water – to help keep your mucus thin. Avoid beverages with alcohol or caffeine that can lead to dehydration.

4. Steam

Breathe in steam from a bowl or pot of warm water (not hot) or take a hot shower. Alternatively, you can place a wet, warm towel on your face and then follow up with a cool towel to help open your nasal passages and ease sinus pain.

5. Rest

Make sure you get plenty of rest which helps your body speed up recovery and fight infection. While sleeping, prop yourself up with a few pillows which will keep you elevated, helping you to breathe better.

6. Add Humidity

Use a vaporizer or humidifier in your room while you’re sleeping to add moisture into your room’s air and help decrease congestion. Certain things can aggravate your nose’s mucus membranes, creating an environment attractive for sinus infection, such as:

• Tobacco smoke
• Dry air
• Chlorinated water

7. Over-the-Counter Medication

Take OTC antihistamines (if it’s allergies), decongestants and pain relievers for reducing sinus pressure and pain. Be sure you speak with your doctor first if you’re experiencing health problems or taking other medications. Never give OTC cold medicine or decongestants to kids under four years old. Nasal suction is the best way to “decongest” younger kids. This also decreases overall lung irritation and post-nasal drip.

What Are Sinus Headache Treatment Options?

When wanting to know how to treat a sinus headache, you’re likely to begin by seeing your family physician, particularly if you’re experiencing chronic sinus headaches. They might refer you to a neurologist who specializes in migraines and headaches. Your physician might suggest treating the pain as well as the underlying causes of your sinus headache at the same time.

Some  sinus headache treatment options include:

1. Triptans

Many individuals experiencing migraine attacks relieve the pain using triptans. Triptans promote constriction of blood vessels and block the brain’s pain pathways.

 Triptans include: 

• Rizatriptan (Maxalt)
• Sumatriptan (Tosymra, Imitrex)
• Eletriptan (Relpax)
• Zolmitriptan (Zomig)
• Almotriptan, naratriptan (Amerge)
• Frovatriptan (Frova)

Triptans are available as nasal sprays, tablets and injections.

2. Ergots

Caffeine and ergotamine combination medications (Cafergot, Migergot) are not as effective as triptans. Ergots are typically the most effective in individuals experiencing pain lasts for over 72 hours. 

3. Ergotamine 

This might cause your migraine-related nausea and vomiting to become worse as well as other side effects. It might also cause medication-overuse headaches.

4. Dihydroergotamine (Migranal, D.H.E. 45)

This  is an ergot derivative that’s more efficient and doesn’t have as many side effects as ergotamine. It comes in injection form and a nasal spray. This medicine is also not as likely to cause medication-overuse headaches.

5. Anti-Nausea Medications

Since nausea with or without vomiting often accompanies migraines, medicine for nausea is ideal and is typically combined with other medicines. Often prescribed medicines are metoclopramide (Reglan), chlorpromazine or prochlorperazine (Compazine).

6. Glucocorticoids (dexamethasone)

These might be used together with other medicines to enhance pain relief. Because of the steroid toxicity risk, glucocorticoids shouldn’t be used often.

Request an Appointment for Sinus Headache Treatment at Houston ENT

If you feel pain or pressure around your sinuses, don’t automatically think it’s because you’re experiencing a sinus headache. Carefully note your symptoms and pay attention for other symptoms and signs of a sinus infection, such as green nasal discharge or fever.

If your sinus pain doesn’t go away, talk with our Houston ENT physician about the pressure behind your forehead, eyes or cheeks. They’ll sit down with you and go over the different treatment options available that could help you find relief from any discomfort you’re experiencing. Or, you can take advantage of our telemedicine appointments.

What Is a Sinus Headache? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

What are sinuses and sinus headaches?

Sinuses are air-filled cavities (spaces) located in the forehead, cheekbones, and behind the bridge of the nose. The sinuses produce a thin mucus that drains out of the channels of the nose. When a sinus becomes inflamed, usually as the result of allergies or an infection, the inflammation will prevent the outflow of mucus and cause a pain similar to that of a headache.

What are the symptoms of sinus headaches?

Sinus headaches are associated with a deep and constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead or bridge of the nose. The pain usually intensifies with sudden head movement or straining. The pain is usually accompanied by other sinus symptoms, such as nasal discharge, feeling of fullness in the ears, fever, facial swelling, sinus pressure and sinus congestion.

Whether your headache symptoms can actually be attributed to the sinuses will need to be determined by your doctor. If your sinus headache is caused by a sinus blockage, such as an infection, you will likely have a fever.

How are sinus headaches treated?

Sinus headaches treatment is usually directed toward sinus headache pain relief and treating the infection. Treatment might include antibiotics for the infection, as well as a short period of pain and fever reliever (such as acetaminophen, aspirin), decongestants (such as phenylephrine, a vasoconstrictor to decrease nasal congestion), or antihistamines to treat the sinus headache symptoms and provide sinus headache relief.

Analgesics can relieve headache pain while the nasal decongestants relieve sinus congestion and pressure, help clear nasal passages, and shrink swollen membranes.

If the sinus headache pain continues after using pain-relievers, corticosteroids may be prescribed to further decrease the inflammation. When an allergen is causing the sinus flare-ups, preventive allergy therapy is often needed. If you have questions or concerns about your sinus headache pain and how to treat sinus headaches, consult your doctor. Medication should be used as directed.

Can allergies cause sinus headaches?

An allergy or allergic response is generally not a direct cause of a sinus headache, but can contribute to its occurrence. Allergies cause symptoms such as sinus congestion, which can lead to headache pain. If you have allergies, the treatment for your allergy can relieve your allergy symptoms, but it may not help with your headache pain. The two conditions often must be treated separately.

Sinus headaches are most likely to occur as a result of allergies, when grass, pollen, ragweed counts are high, or following exposure to other allergens. However, headache specialists tend to agree that allergies are usually not the cause of severe or recurrent headaches such as tension headaches or migraines. You should see a doctor to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. Medication should be used as directed.

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Helpful Resources

National Headache Foundation

U.S. National Institute of Health

WebMD.com

U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention

MayoClinic.com

Home Remedies for Sinus Headaches –

Half of all adults around the world suffer at least one headache per year. When headaches are more frequent and bring with them a throbbing pain in your forehead, you could have sinus problems.

Your sinuses are hollow cavities in your skull, located around your eyes, nose, and forehead. They create mucus that lines your nose, but seasonal allergies, sinusitis, and other illnesses can trigger more mucus production and sinus swelling.

When sinus pressure builds up, the all-too-often result is a painful headache. At Midwest Allergy Sinus Asthma, Dareen Siri, MD, and our team of advanced practice providers understands sinus headaches can make it hard to live your life, and we’re here to help. We put together this list of home remedies and some background information about sinus headaches.

Relieve sinus pressure to ease headache pain

Pain from sinus headaches is usually focused near your forehead, cheekbones, or the bridge of your nose. It’s generally constant, but may intensify when you bend over or move your head suddenly.

Sinus headaches are often accompanied by a runny nose or the sensation that your ears are plugged. In more severe cases, facial swelling may be visible.

If you get sinus headaches, there are a number of at-home care tips to try that may relieve pressure and eliminate pain.

Try to thin congestion

Thinner mucus is less likely to get trapped in your sinuses, even if they’re inflamed from allergies or other irritation. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and use a humidifier in your home to keep the air moist.

Irrigate your sinuses with a sterile saline solution, or use a neti pot to cleanse inflamed sinuses and eliminate blockages and head pain. Breathing in steam or applying a warm, moist towel to your face may offer soothing relief. Plus, the heat can thin congestion and help mucus escape.

Encourage sinus drainage

At-home remedies like irrigating sinuses with saline can thin out mucus, but they also encourage sinus drainage to relieve pressure. If the above methods still leave you with uncomfortable pressure, try promoting drainage by engaging sinus pressure points.

Gently press or tap pressure points to release mucus from overstuffed sinuses. Sinus pressure points are located at the bridge of your nose and the area at the top of your cheekbones, just below your eyes.

Over-the-counter pain relief

Medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can temporarily relieve pain and other symptoms that come with sinus headaches. Decongestants, like pseudoephedrine, may stimulate sinus drainage to relieve pressure.

But these over-the-counter medications don’t address the cause of sinus headaches. Always follow dosage instructions on the packaging of medication and don’t take over-the-counter medication for more than a few days. If you’re still experiencing headache symptoms, give us a call at Midwest Allergy Sinus Asthma.

Preventing sinus headaches

We can help you identify what triggers your sinus headaches. Making lifestyle changes like avoiding allergens as much as possible can improve your symptoms. Additionally, getting regular aerobic exercise can thin mucus and reduce sinus headaches.

If your sinus headaches are the result of chronic sinus problems or seasonal allergies, taking a prescription medication can stave off headache pain before it starts. When headaches are linked to sinus infection, we may prescribe antibiotics or antihistamines to eliminate the infection.

Other types of head pain, including tension headaches and migraines, are often misdiagnosed as sinus headaches. If you’re feeling sinus pressure but your symptoms aren’t relieved with treatment aimed at sinus issues, we’ll talk to you about other options.

Sinus headaches can interrupt your life, but don’t just wish the pain away. Make an appointment at Midwest Allergy Sinus Asthma to find treatment options for your head pain. Call one of our seven Illinois offices today.

Sinus Headaches: Symptoms, Medicine, and Relief

Sinus problems are a common complaint, and sometimes with sinus problems come headaches. As uncomfortable as sinusitis can be–with nasal congestion or runny nose, sinus pressure or pain, and on occasion, fatigue or fever–it can be more miserable with a headache.

What Is a Sinus Headache?

Your sinuses are the hollow cavities that connect to your nasal passages. When they become inflamed, they swell and create more mucus. When this happens, the passageways that allow the sinuses to drain become blocked. This can lead to pain or pressure throughout your cheeks, nose, eyes, and/or forehead, depending on which sinus cavity is affected. Other common symptoms include nasal drainage (watery or thick), nasal congestion or blockage, change in being able to taste or smell, tooth pain, fatigue, fever, or chills. Sometimes, it can also lead to headache.

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Sinus inflammation has a lot of causes. Acute sinusitis due to a virus, which is typically called an “upper respiratory infection” or a “common cold”, comes on quickly and then gets better by 1-2 weeks. When the symptoms persist or worsen after one week, sometimes seeming to slightly get better before getting worse again, it may be a sign that a bacterial infection has set in. Very rarely, and usually in people with conditions that weaken the immune system, a fungal infection may cause sinusitis.

Many people suffer from chronic sinusitis, or chronic sinus inflammation, typically lasting at least three months. Chronic sinusitis is often caused by allergies, environmental irritants, or something that affects proper drainage of the sinus cavities.

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Sinus Headache Symptoms

Sinus headache symptoms include:

• Pain or pressure in the sinus areas
• Stuffy nose
• Loss of smell
• Fatigue
• Achiness in upper teeth
• Fever
• Post-nasal drip

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Sinus Headache vs. Migraine

Sinus headaches are often confused with migraines. In fact, about 90% of people who report sinus headaches actually have migraine headaches.

A true sinus headache should improve with treatment of the underlying sinus problem. If it does not improve, the headaches may actually be due to migraine.

Individuals with migraines may also experience symptoms that are not usually present in sinus headaches, including:

• Nausea
• Light or noise sensitivity
• Headache that is throbbing in nature and only on one side of the head

How to Treat a Sinus Headache

The best way to get rid of a sinus headache is by treating the underlying cause of the headache–the sinusitis. For sinus problems lasting less than 7-10 days, the cause is usually viral and can be treated with home remedies and if needed, over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Here are some at-home remedies that may relieve your symptoms:

• Hydrate and rest: Drink ample fluids and rest.
• Breathing steam: Warm moist air by using a humidifier, breathing in warm mist from a hot shower or steaming bath, or applying a warm washcloth over your face.
• Saline nasal flushes: Using a bottle sprayer, Neti pot, or syringe, the saline fluid flushes out the nose and sinus cavities to help with sinus pressure and congestion. Be sure to use sterile saline water for safety reasons.

In addition to those at-home treatments, you may also require:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) medications: Medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naprosyn (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can lessen pain and inflammation. Please be cautious with these medications if you have liver, kidney, or blood pressure issues, or are on blood thinners.
• Decongestants: If you do not have high blood pressure, heart disease, or glaucoma, decongestants like phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine can also help minimize congestion and sinus pain.
• Doctor’s visit: If the sinus problems still have not gone away after 7-10 days (and may even be getting worse), it may be a sign of bacteria causing your sinus infection, and you should see your doctor who may recommend an antibiotic.

Long-standing sinus problems, or chronic sinusitis, often will last three months or more. They are usually not due to infection, and are managed by avoiding triggers, flushing sinuses with sterile saline, and using medications such as steroid nasal sprays, and antihistamine pills. Common triggers include smoke, perfume, and allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander or hair. If chronic sinus problems do not improve with multiple medications, your doctor may recommend further evaluation with a test like a CT scan, and/or referral to a specialist, like an ear-nose-throat or allergy doctor.

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When to See a Doctor

You should see a doctor if your sinus infection does not improve or worsens after 7-10 days of home remedies, which may be a sign of a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics.

Symptoms of sinus infections usually go away completely within four weeks. However it is important to watch for the following symptoms, which may be from a more serious, life-threatening disease and require emergency evaluation:

• Eye problems like vision changes, double vision, difficulty opening the eyes
• High fever that doesn’t go away
• Severe headaches, confusion

If you are unsure whether you have a sinus headache or migraine, a medical consultation can be helpful.  You should also consider seeing a doctor if you have chronic sinusitis that is not improving with medication.

K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

→ Sinus headache treatment | Eastside ENT specialists

What is a Sinus Headache?

Your sinuses are a connected system of hollow cavities in your forehead, cheekbones and behind your nose. Inflammation of your sinuses may cause headache. If you have acute or chronic sinusitis, the chances are you suffer from a headache. However, painful sinuses do not automatically mean you have a sinus disorder, as some other conditions like migraine and tension headaches may also lead to pain in your sinuses in addition to the head.

If your sinuses hurt and you do not know why, do not hesitate to call Eastside ENT Specialists at 440-352-1474. Schedule an appointment with a board-certified ENT Doctor in Madison Ohio.

What Causes Sinus Headaches?

Your sinuses help clean and humidify the air you breathe. They are lined with mucous secreting tissues called mucosa. The mucous is drained through thin channels to your nose and to the back of your throat. Any obstruction in the drainage channels can increase the pressure inside your sinuses as air and mucous gets trapped inside, leading to sinus pain that resembles a headache. A sinus infection, an allergy as well as physical deformity can lead to sinus headaches.

What are the Symptoms of Sinus Headaches?

Patients who suffer from sinus headaches usually complain about sore sinuses, headache between eyes and nose as well as headache front of the head. It is important to accurately ascertain the underlying cause of your headache. It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between a migraine and a sinus headache. A migraine can irritate your cranial nerve that has branches in the forehead as well as jaws and cheeks, leading to pain in or around your sinuses. Sinus headaches are usually accompanied with some other respiratory conditions caused by a sinus infection like:

• Pain and pressure around the eyes
• Pain in your cheeks and the forehead
• Aching upper teeth
• Facial swelling
• Fever
• Chills
• Nasal congestion and stuffiness

If your hay fever or nasal allergies are causing inflammation in your sinuses, your symptoms may include:

• Watery and itchy eyes
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Impaired sense of smell

It is possible to have a sinus headache without other upper respiratory tract symptoms, making a sinus headache difficult to diagnose. One distinguishing symptom of a sinus headache is the increase in pain when you strain your face, bend forward or lie down.

What are the Risk Factors for Sinus Headaches?

If you suffer from any of the following disorders or diseases, your chances of suffering from sinus headaches are increased:

• Recurring or Chronic sinusitis
• Nasal polyps
• Deviated septum
• Allergic rhinitis or hay fever

How is a Sinus Headache Diagnosed?

Following diagnostic procedures can help your ENT doctor to diagnose the causal factor of your sinus headache:

• A physical exam of your nasal passage and sinuses using an endoscope or an otoscope
• A CT scan of the sinuses to determine the extent of sinuses obstruction caused by your chronic sinusitis
• If an allergy is suspected of causing your sinus headaches, an allergy testing may help determine the allergen responsible for your pain and discomfort

How is a Sinus Headache Treated?

If allergic rhinitis, acute or chronic sinusitis is behind your sinus headaches, following sinus headache treatment procedures may be recommended by your ENT specialist:

• A course of antibiotic medications
• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Nasal steroid sprays
• Pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• A sinus surgery to remove polyps or to open up the congested sinuses may be needed in extreme cases

At-Home Treatment

In addition to the sinus headache treatment prescribed by an experienced sinus headache doctor, following at-home steps can help relieve your headache:

• A cool mist-humidifier, a steam vaporizer as well as a hot shower can help you access moist and humid air to help with your congested sinuses
• Three minutes of a hot compress across your sinuses, followed by a 30 second cold compress can help open up your sinuses
• A thorough nasal irrigation can help wash out the trapped mucus, pus and allergens and alleviate your pain

Sinus headaches may be difficult to diagnose. A skilled otolaryngologist can accurately diagnose the nature of your headache and prescribe an effective treatment. If your sinuses hurt and you do not know why, do not hesitate to call Eastside ENT Specialists at 440-352-1474. Schedule an appointment with a board-certified ENT Doctor in Madison Ohio.

90,000 Lesson 6. A. Headache: tension; migraine; with diseases of the nose and nasopharynx; with nervous diseases. Tips for preventing headaches.

Published on: 02/21/2020 07:33 AM

Headache is one of the most common human pain sensations. There are few people who do not know what it is.

Headache can occur for various reasons. Firstly, due to spasm or expansion of the arteries, due to a decrease in the tone of the veins.And in this case, there is a vascular headache.

Secondly, the headache can be associated with an increase or decrease in intracranial pressure.

Third, tension in the muscles of the head and neck can cause headaches.

Fourth, emotional stress causes headaches.

Fifth, a headache can be a symptom of a disease, sometimes very serious. In this case, medications “from the head” will not help you – you need to treat something else and, of course, only under the guidance of a doctor.If you are in doubt about the cause of your pain, see your doctor too.

Tension headache

This is the most common type of headache, also called muscle tension headache. Most people from time to time experience the feeling that their head is in a vice, the brain is boiling, and the skull is about to fly apart.

90% of people suffer from this pain, most of them are women (75% of patients), as in the case of migraine.This type of headache is not inherited. It can appear at any age – both in a child and in an adult.

Symptoms:

– The headache begins without any warning signs.

– Feeling of strong pressure on the head from above, as if a hat is too tight.

– Both the neck and shoulders can hurt.

– The occipital side of the neck strains with a headache. You may be able to find several painful areas by feeling the muscles in your neck.

– The pain has a pressing, constricting and constant character.

– Duration of a headache attack from 30 minutes to 7 days.

– Pains often appear after waking up.

– Occasionally a slight phobia of light or sound appears.

– In the chronic form, the headache repeats every day with fluctuations in intensity throughout the day.

– The intensity of pain can be low to unbearable.

– No speech or visual impairment.

– There is no nausea or vomiting, but there may be a loss of appetite.

– The pain is not aggravated by physical exertion and alcohol.

What contributes to tension headache

– Working in a stuffy room;

– Incorrect posture causing muscle tension;

– Excessive tension of the jaw;

– Visual fatigue;

– Stress;

– Depression.

Migraine is the second most common headache after tension headache. Almost 12% of humanity suffers from migraine, and in women it is observed 2-3 times more often than in men.

Previously, it was believed that migraine is a sign of great intelligence, artistic ability, or belonging to high society. In fact, migraines torment people, making no distinctions either socially or in terms of giftedness. True, responsible and obligatory people are most susceptible to this type of headaches, in contrast to those who take life more easily.

Migraine attacks can begin in childhood and adolescence, but most often between the ages of 20 and 30. After 50 years, the migraine begins to disappear. This disease is often inherited. Sometimes it happens that a mother suffering from migraine gets rid of it after giving birth, “passing on” the disease to the child.

Symptoms:

– Pain affects one side of the head or face more and more often than the other, but sometimes it changes its location;

– The pain is pulsating;

– Increased sensitivity to light, noise and odors;

– Pain accompanied by nausea and / or vomiting;

– Sometimes a migraine attack is preceded by an aura – the appearance of stripes before the eyes, luminous or dark points, flickering spots, etc.NS.;

– During a migraine attack, sometimes there is a partial change in vision, in which the patient sees only one part of the object or layering one on top of another;

– An attack can last for several hours or even days;

– In women, sometimes pain occurs before or during menstruation;

– Pain may come on gradually and intensify to such an extent that it becomes difficult to bear.

What can cause a migraine attack

– Emotional disorder, stress;

– Strong odor;

– Very bright light;

– Sensitivity to certain types of food;

– Sudden change in weather;

– Allergy;

– Physical stress;

– Low blood sugar;

– Other factors.

Headache in diseases of the nose and nasopharynx

One of the most common causes of headache is sinusitis – an inflammation of the facial paranasal sinuses – cavities in the bones of the skull near the nose, cheeks and eyebrows.

These headaches are characterized by the fact that they begin at certain times of the day and are worse after overwork or prolonged exposure to the cold. The pain may intensify when the head is tilted, coughing.

When inflammation occurs, the paranasal sinuses fill with fluid and mucus, causing a dull pain in the forehead, cheeks and upper jaw.A general feeling of heaviness in the head and a feeling of some indefinite pressure are also characteristic. Particularly severe pain is felt in the morning due to secretions accumulated in the nasal cavities during the night.

If, by tapping your finger on your forehead, you find areas of painful sensitivity, this is the first sign of illness.

Often, headaches also occur with sinusitis – inflammation of the maxillary sinuses. With sinusitis, the pain spreads not only up to the forehead, but also to the upper jaw and teeth.

Headache can occur with acute rhinitis, curvature of the nasal septum, polyps and adenoids.

In acute rhinitis, simultaneously with swelling of the nasal mucosa, a headache appears at the bridge of the nose, and from there spreads to the eyes and temples.

Polyps and diseases of the nasopharynx. The presence of a fleshy tumor in the nose, the so-called polyp, can also cause severe headaches, as the polyp obstructs nasal breathing and interferes with blood circulation.The same happens with the curvature of the nasal septum.

If you have a polyp or enlargement of the pharyngeal tonsil (adenoids), we recommend that you consult an otolaryngologist, who can radically help with a very small operation and completely eliminate the chronic headaches caused by these diseases.

Headache in case of nervous diseases

Very often a headache is expressed only in a vague feeling of pressure in the skull – now in the forehead, now in the back of the head, but in the temples.In other cases, it is described as squeezing the head with a hoop or squeezing in a vice; finally, there are limited pains in the parietal part of the head.

Neuritis is an inflammatory disease of peripheral nerves, which can be caused by trauma, intoxication, infectious disease, metabolic disorders, insufficient blood supply to the nerve, etc. One of the symptoms of neuritis may be headache.

Neuroses (neurasthenia, hysteria or psychasthenia) can sometimes cause a headache similar to the neuralgia pain described above.Its main difference from neuralgic pain is that headache with neuroses does not have pain points typical for neuralgia.

Headaches in neuroses are recognized by one more essential feature – these pains usually arise after some worries, troubles and are always accompanied by a depression. In the same way, these pains can completely disappear under the influence of some external cause or suggestion.

Of course, the use of medication in the form of pills for headache will be inappropriate here.The main attention should be paid to the underlying disease, the treatment of neurosis with appropriate methods, and, undoubtedly, to listen to headaches, which are only an accompanying symptom and do not pose a health hazard.

A few tips for prevention

– Every hour, allow yourself to completely relax for a minute: disconnect from reality, relax your muscles. Close your eyes.

– Don’t grit your teeth.The jaw muscles tend to contract quickly and this often causes headaches.

– Pay attention to the neck, do not hold it in one position for too long, make rotational movements with it more often. When lying down, the neck should not be twisted.

– Avoid sleeping too long on weekends, this leads to a drop in blood sugar, which in turn causes migraines.

– Do not forget to have breakfast in the morning, otherwise you can give yourself “hungry” headaches.

– Try to avoid overloading.Learn to say no. Don’t put more on your shoulders than you can do.

– Do not overuse aspirin, which can even lead to increased headaches.

– Change lighting. Excessive eye strain can also cause headache.

90,000 Headache – causes, symptoms and diagnosis, indications for seeking medical attention

Stock! Discount 20% on the first appointment for new patients of the clinic with the promo code “FIRST20”.

Perhaps there is no such person in the world who has never had a headache at least once in his life, and about 20% of people suffer from chronic pain. Mentions of this problem are found in ancient manuscripts – the works of doctors and literary works of ancient Egyptian, Greek, Babylonian, Chinese authors. Even then, doctors tried to find patterns by which head pain occurs, and treatment options. In ancient Egypt, there were even special priests who dealt only with the problem of headaches.A panacea has not yet been found, but modern medicine has made significant headway. Now there are effective methods of assistance, and high-precision diagnostic equipment will help to understand the causes of the problem.

A headache can sometimes occur in a perfectly healthy person, and in some cases a headache can be the practical only symptom of some dangerous diseases. Why does pain arise, how to help oneself at home, when a doctor’s help is needed, and when there is nothing to worry about – we will consider these issues in more detail with the doctors of the Kutuzovsky Medical Center.

Types and causes of headaches

We feel headaches in areas where there are pain receptors. It can vary in strength, duration, accompanying symptoms and nature. Manifestations and symptoms of headache are different: someone has a headache in the temples, others complain of frequent headaches in the forehead. Let’s consider the main options.

Migraines

This is an intense headache in the temples in one half of the head, mainly of a throbbing character.The patient sharply and painfully reacts to bright light, loud sounds, smells. The attack lasts from several hours to three days, may be accompanied by nausea (in 90% of cases) and vomiting (in 30% of cases). Unpleasant sensations intensify with physical exertion, especially sharp ones. Often the entire right side of the head (or the left) hurts, not just the temple.

Migraine is a primary headache, that is, it is not a symptom of any other disease. The cause of migraine is the appearance of inflammatory substances around the nerves and blood vessels of the head, which provoke pain.Why such a mechanism is turned on is not known for certain. An attack can be provoked by mental or physical overstrain, stress, changes in the weather, diet, hormonal drugs.

Migraines can be hereditary, twice as many women suffer from them. Several genes have been identified that are responsible for migraines.

Attacks recur periodically throughout life – from several times a week to several times a year. Migraines begin during puberty (less often in childhood).

15-60 minutes before a migraine attack, some people may notice the appearance of a precursor of migraine – an aura. This is a neurological phenomenon in which there are short-term visual impairments (flickering, fogging, narrowing of the visual field), dizziness, sensory symptoms – tingling, loss of sensitivity in the hands, nasolabial folds. After an attack for a day or more, the patient may experience general weakness, a weaker headache in the temples than during the acute phase, a state of “hangover”, confusion of thoughts.

Tension pain

This is a pain that “squeezes” the head. She is often described as having a tight helmet on her head. Disturbing headache in the temples, back of the head, forehead, crown – unpleasant sensations can be, both all over the head, and in some part. This is the most common type of headache. The sensations are usually mild, there is no acute pain (as with migraines).

Among the reasons that cause this pain are muscle tension due to the same type of work, mental and visual stress, uncomfortable postures, stress, changes in the weather, non-compliance with the work and rest regime.The attack can last up to several days. The pain of tension is more common in people prone to deep emotional experiences, depression, stress.

Cluster headaches

Most intense pain with severe attacks. They last from 20 minutes to one hour, with several seizures per day. In some cases, it can occur daily for a long time (up to several weeks).

During an attack, the head hurts in the forehead or eyes, lacrimation, swelling in the nose, drooping of the eyelids may begin.Middle-aged men suffer from cluster pain six times more often, and about 0.5% of people are familiar with the problem.

These are the main three types of primary headache. Less common, but pain from physical or sexual activity or medication may be present.

There is also a secondary headache – this is a symptom of some kind of disease. These include pain associated with:

• Traumatic brain injury. Their other symptoms are dizziness, irritability, memory impairment.
• Injuries or diseases of the cervical spine (osteochondrosis and others). With them, the head hurts in the back of the head, visual acuity and hearing may decrease.
• Vascular pathologies of the brain – wall layering, atherosclerosis, aneurysms, strokes and other vascular changes.
• Arterial hypertension – high or low blood pressure. With hypertension, the back of the head hurts, with hypotension, there is weakness, and the head is spinning.
• Infections – encephalitis, meningitis, and other infectious lesions.
• Tumors in the head or neck.
• Diseases and injuries of the ears, sinuses, jaws and teeth, eyes and other structures of the skull. Where and how it will hurt depends on the root cause. So, with glaucoma, a headache is pain in the eyes that radiates to the forehead.
• Mental illness.
• Excessive intake of painkillers, including for headaches.

Diagnostics and treatment

Why does the head hurt and what to do? The answer to this question will help to give modern diagnostic techniques. This does not mean that the doctor will be able to conclusively find the only “culprit” – the root cause. Especially when it comes to primary headaches (migraines, tension and cluster pains). The physiological processes of their occurrence are not fully understood, although medicine knows a number of factors that provoke an attack.

The main task is to determine the type of headache: primary or secondary.The first – although they cause a lot of unpleasant sensations to the patient, interfere with the ability to work, but are not dangerous to health. The pain will go away on its own or after taking medication.

Tactics for the treatment of primary headaches:

• Relief of an attack with painkillers: analgesics or other drugs.
• Course prophylaxis with drugs that reduce the frequency or intensity of attacks.
• Avoidance of provoking factors – overwork, certain foods, periodic breaks in work, adequate sleep, and others.

The situation is different with secondary headaches. To help the patient, you need to determine the symptom of which disease the headache is. And treat him. This is especially important in case of serious pathologies that threaten life or health. Stroke, meningitis, brain tumors – these and other diseases are manifested by headaches.

In search of the reason will help:

• Examination by a neurologist, competent collection of complaints and anamnesis. This is the most important thing in diagnosing headaches.
• Laboratory diagnostics – determination of the main indicators of the body’s work: the level of cholesterol, glucose, leukocytes and other parameters.
• Instrumental diagnostics: MRI of the brain, vessels, neck, Doppler or duplex examination of the vessels of the brain and neck, X-ray.
• Examinations – electroencephalogram, examination by an ophthalmologist, blood pressure measurement and others.

The main physician who treats headaches is a neurologist.When it comes to secondary headaches, you may need an ENT doctor, ophthalmologist, therapist and some other specialized specialists.

Medical center “Kutuzovskiy” – a medical center, which will help to deal with the causes of headaches and proper treatment.

It is beneficial to contact us for many reasons:

• The clinic has all the doctors of all the necessary specialties who will work together to solve the problem.
• We have high-precision diagnostic equipment – you do all analyzes and examinations in the center, in a short time.
• Our prices are affordable, there is a bonus program, you can undergo treatment under the VHI.

Our center has developed several complex diagnostic programs, among which is the “Headache Diagnostics”. This is an opportunity to undergo a comprehensive examination for those who value time and money. Examinations and consultations will take only a few hours, and the cost of services included in the program, separately, is higher than the cost of a comprehensive diagnosis.

The headache is excruciating and can be dangerous.It prevents us from leading a normal life, productive work and rest. You do not need to endure, wait for it to pass by itself, endlessly drink pain relievers. It’s time to find out why your head hurts, and to act on the problem purposefully!

The content of this article has been checked and confirmed for compliance with medical standards by a neurologist, a reflexologist Tsarev Vyacheslav Yurievich.

Publication checked:

90,000 Headache Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Headache is defined as pain in a specific part of the head or upper neck.In fact, our brains itself are insensitive to pain. Pain-sensitive structures in our head; cranial nerves, arteries and veins, muscles of the scalp and neck, skin, superficial nerves, sinuses, external auditory canal and eardrum, pupil and its surrounding structures, salivary glands, teeth, jaw joint, carotid artery and its branches. Headache; It can be dull, sharp, annular, persistent, intermittent, mild, or severe. Society often complains of headaches, and 70% of people with headaches have recurrent headaches.Although headaches are detrimental to quality of life, in most cases they are not life-threatening. However, in connection with headaches, the following should be considered:

If the pain comes on suddenly and is the worst headache you have ever experienced,
If the pain persists and gets worse,
If the headache causes blurred or blurred vision,
If nausea and vomiting
If it appears after age 50,
If headache occurs after a head injury or accident
If it manifests as stiffness or fever, seek immediate medical attention.
What causes headaches?

The pain we feel is a mixed excitement of the meninges, blood vessels and nerves. Especially the blood vessels and muscles in the head send pain signals to our brains. However, it is not known exactly how these signals began. Common causes of headaches include:

Illness: Many illnesses can cause headaches such as infections (colds and fever), sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses), sore throat, or ear infection.Headaches can also be a symptom of a more serious problem, such as a brain tumor or cerebral hemorrhage.

Stress: In addition to stress and depression, excessive alcohol consumption, delays in eating, changes in sleep patterns and excessive drug use are also factors that cause headaches.

Tobacco smoke, environmental and chemical factors: Odors from tobacco smoke, household chemicals, fragrances, allergens and certain foods can also cause headaches.Air pollution, noise and sudden changes in weather conditions are other causes of headaches.

Genetic factors: The genetic characteristics of migraine, which are the main headache, are known. Because if you have a migraine in your family, the chance of a migraine is 40%. A person whose mother and father have migraines may experience 75% of migraine complaints. Most children and adolescents with migraines have family members with migraines.

Types of headaches

In 2018, the International Headache Association released the latest headache classification system.The characteristics of the headache are the most important information for determining the cause of the pain and choosing a treatment. Therefore, patients should describe the nature and frequency of the headache and associated symptoms. Depending on the source of pain, the International Headache Society defines three main categories of headaches:

• Primary headaches
• Secondary headaches
• Cranial neuralgia, facial pain and other headaches

What is a primary headache?

The most common primary headaches are migraine, tonic headache, and circular headache.

Toning headache

Tension headaches are the most common type of primary headache. Tension headaches are more common in women than in men. According to the World Health Organization, one in 20 people experiences headaches every day. Tension headaches can be divided into two groups: “episodic” and “chronic”. Episodic pain is a cramping pain that lasts from 30 minutes to 7 days and affects both sides of the head.The pain may radiate to the forehead and neck and is not severe. Tension headaches are pains that do not worsen physical activity or cause nausea. A person with a tension headache is rarely sensitive to light and sound. With chronic tension headaches, the patient experiences pain at least 15 times a month and at least 6 months a year.

The main symptoms of a tonic headache are:

• It is caused by the contraction of the muscles around the head and often pain is felt all over the head.

• Pain in the form of heaviness, pressure, squeezing.

• Tonic headaches can last 5-10 minutes or last for several days without interruption.

• Nausea, vomiting, light and sound disturbances are rare.

• Pain usually begins in the afternoon and may make it difficult to fall asleep.

• Various factors such as psychological stress, anxiety, depression, muscle tension (prolonged driving, working in a poor sitting position) can cause tonic headaches.Overuse of headache medications can also be considered a factor in increasing tonic headaches.

Migraine

Not only adults but also children suffer from migraines. Before puberty, migraine headaches affect boys and girls equally. However, women are more likely than men to suffer from migraines after puberty. In general, many migraine sufferers have another migraine in their family. Certain foods and drinks that are among the factors that make migraines worse; old cheese, chocolate, yogurt, onions, figs, liver, caffeinated foods and drinks, smoked or salted fish / meat.Lifestyle changes such as too much or too little sleep, hunger, physical or mental fatigue, and shift work also play a role in exacerbating migraines. However, menstrual cycle, weather / season / pressure changes, flicker / bright / fluorescent light, bright daylight, odors (perfume, chemicals, smoking) and stress are also effective factors for headaches.

Eye pressure: In angle-closure glaucoma, the patient has bouts of eye pressure that cause severe headaches, and the pain usually begins in the evening.However, blurred vision and nausea may occur.

Hormone-related headaches: Women often experience headaches due to hormonal fluctuations. Menstruation, birth control pills, and pregnancy affect estrogen levels, which can cause headaches. These headaches, especially those associated with the menstrual cycle, are also known as menstrual migraines. This can be the onset of your period, during or after your period, or during ovulation.

However, among the possible causes of secondary headaches, arterial hernias (dissection of the carotid or vertebral artery), blood clots in the brain (venous thrombosis), cerebral aneurysms, carbon monoxide poisoning, Covid-19, dehydration, intracranial hematoma, meningitis, panicitis are also found toxoplasmosis.

Cranial neuralgia, facial pain and other headaches

Neuralgia means nerve pain. Cranial neuralgia is an inflammation of one of the 12 cranial nerves in the brain that control muscles and transmit sensory signals (such as pain) to the head and neck. The most famous example is trigeminal neuralgia, which affects the 5th cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), which nourishes the face and can cause severe facial pain when irritated or inflamed.
The main symptoms of a neuralgic headache are sudden and severe acute headache that lasts seconds.

How to prevent headache? What can we do to prevent headaches?

Factors that can help prevent or eliminate headaches can be listed as follows:

• Avoid stressors as much as possible.

• Get professional help to cope with depression
• Keep the bedroom cool, dark and quiet.

• The sleep mode needs to be adjusted. It is inconvenient to sleep less on weekdays and more on weekends.Usually, the amount of sleep you need is about 6-8 hours. Waking up with a headache can be a sign of sleep disturbance.

• Low blood sugar can cause headaches. Foods containing protein, fruits, vegetables and carbohydrates should be taken regularly three times a day. Foods high in sugar cause blood sugar levels to rise and fall rapidly. This can cause headaches.

• Avoid sitting or standing in the same position for too long as this can cause muscle tension.

• Exercise regularly to improve overall health and reduce stress.

• Avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water.

• Work should be interrupted to avoid eye fatigue, as eye fatigue can cause headaches.

• Drinking six or more cups of coffee a day can cause chronic headaches due to the duration of the deficit. It is recommended that you limit the amount of caffeine to two to three cups a day.

What is recommended for headaches? What are the natural ways to relieve headaches?

Here are some factors that are helpful for headaches:

• Massaging the temples or muscles of the back of the neck and hot compresses can help with headaches.

• People with migraines can relieve headaches by applying cold compresses to their foreheads.

• People who suffer from tension headaches, as opposed to migraine attacks, may place a warm pillow or warm towel on the back of their head. A hot shower can help with sinus headaches.

• Yoga, meditation, or muscle relaxation exercises can also help with headaches.

• Most patients with migraine headaches find relief after resting and sleeping in a dark room.

• Lack of sleep is a factor that can cause general headaches. Getting enough sleep in the morning can help relieve headaches

• Magnesium: Some patients with severe migraines are prescribed magnesium to relieve headaches.

• Vitamin B12: According to a study by the University of Minnesota, taking 200 mg of vitamin B12 twice daily can help relieve headaches.

For online registration, as well as for other questions, you can also call the information center at (012) 910 or write on Whatsapp at (055) 4000 910.

Polyposis of the nose – polyps in the nose

Nasal polyps are benign growths that are found in the nasal mucosa.

Polyps occur with polypous rhinosinusitis (PRS), a chronic disease of the nasal mucosa.

There are two clinical forms of this serious disease.

• Local. With this form of polyps, the process is limited to the nasal mucosa.
• Systemic. In these cases, ORS can be combined with other diseases – bronchial asthma, cystic fibrosis, Kartagener’s syndrome, etc.

The process of development of polyps goes through two stages – early, when chronic edema of the nasal mucosa develops, most often caused by infections, and late – the formation of granulation tissue, that is, the polyp itself.

The main signs of polyposis rhinosinusitis:

• Persistent “stuffing” of the nose and as a result – difficulty in nasal breathing
• Decreased sense of smell, up to a complete lack of perception of odors – anosmia.
• There may be scanty, thick nasal discharge, with a chronic process of a mucopurulent nature.
• The voice may become nasal.
• Polypoid rhinosinusitis can cause headaches

Causes of nasal polyps

There are enough reasons, but the main ones are as follows:

• Allergies, especially hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
• Chronic inflammatory diseases of the sinuses – sinusitis.
• Curvature of the nasal septum.
• Most often, there are several factors at once. provoke the development of polyps and, unfortunately, often polyps arise for unknown reasons.
• Unfortunately, there is also a hereditary predisposition

The diagnosis of ORS for an ENT specialist is not difficult. Already on the basis of complaints and examination of the nasal sinuses by rhinoscopy methods.If necessary, additional research methods are prescribed, in particular, MRI. It is necessary, especially in a chronic process, to consult a pulmonologist and an allergist.

Surgical treatment of polyposis rhinosinusitis

As a result of surgical intervention, not only the removal of polyps is performed, but also the correction of the septum, revision of the condition of the turbinates. There are several surgical treatments for rhinosinusitis polyposis.

ENT surgeon of the Medgard clinic, candidate of medical sciences, doctor of the highest category Vitaly Lvovich Dyakonov has developed his own modification of endoscopic resection of polyps.With this method, using special endoscopic equipment, the surgeon is able to operate in all inaccessible parts of the nasal cavity and sinuses during conventional surgery.

Preparation for operation

As with any surgical intervention, the patient must undergo a comprehensive examination and preoperative preparation. A general and biochemical blood test, a coagulogram (blood clotting) is done. If necessary, the surgeon will order an MRI of the sinuses.The last meal and water intake at least 6-8 hours before the operation. Brush your teeth at least two hours before surgery.

Contraindications to surgical treatment of nasal polyps are:

• bronchial asthma
• blood diseases
• chronic diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
• acute diseases of the nasopharynx
• allergy attack

No incisions are made with this technology, the polyposis growth is removed from the sinuses through natural openings.The operation is done with the help of a special instrument – a modified shaver, which allows it with very high precision without damaging healthy tissue.

Anesthesia with this method is usually local. Bleeding is insignificant and the surgeon sees the operating field perfectly, which allows you to radically remove polyps and prevent relapses. After the operation, the hospital stay takes 3 to 7 days.

In the postoperative period, the hygiene of the nasal cavity is especially important.You can not blow your nose, in any case, do inhalation, drink hot tea, drink alcohol. Use a soft swab to gently remove mucus and crusts from the vestibule of the nose. Nasal breathing is restored very quickly, and the sense of smell returns within a month. Every three months, the patient must go to an appointment with an otolaryngologist and receive anti-relapse treatment.

90,000 CT scan of the paranasal sinuses and paranasal sinuses in Moscow, the price of 4,000 rubles in the MRT24 diagnostic centers

Allows you to examine in detail, using layer-by-layer images, the structural features and possible contents of the paranasal sinuses located in the frontal, maxillary, sphenoid and ethmoid bones of the skull.It is most often used in ENT practice, but it can also be useful in ophthalmology, dentistry, maxillofacial surgery and neurology.

What a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses shows

• Signs of the inflammatory process and its consequences, the presence of filling them with fluid or thickening of the walls
• Violations of the integrity of the bone walls of the sinuses
• Presence of foreign bodies inside
• Presence of neoplasms
• Anomalies of the development of the facial skeleton and sinuses

When CT of the paranasal sinuses may be helpful

• Sinusitis, especially chronic and difficult to treat
• Planning of operations on the sinuses and facial skeleton
• Suspected neoplasms, cysts and possible structural abnormalities in the sinus area
• Injury, or suspicion of bone wall fracture
• Polyps of the mucous membrane found by the doctor in the area of ​​the sinuses and nasal passages, deviated nasal septum

Symptoms that may require a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses

• Recurrent exacerbations of the common cold, pain in the paranasal sinuses
• Pain and crunch when probing after trauma, changes in the position of the eyeball
• Difficulty in nasal breathing, unexplained or difficult to relieve nasal congestion
• Headaches, especially those associated with a recent cold.Pain in the region of one half of the head or in the region of the orbit and eyeball.

CT or MRI can be used to examine the sinuses, depending on the goal set by the doctor. Both methods allow obtaining often different, but detailed and diagnostically important information. The doctor can choose the method based on the patient’s complaints and the results of the examination.

90,000 powder, composition, instructions for use | GSK Health Partner

Paracetamol

Symptoms and Signs

Symptoms (mainly due to paracetamol, appear after taking more than 10-15 g):

In severe cases of overdose, paracetamol has a hepatotoxic effect, including it can cause liver necrosis.Also, overdose can cause nephropathy and irreversible liver damage. The severity of the overdose depends on the dose, therefore it is necessary to warn patients about the prohibition of the simultaneous use of paracetamol-containing drugs. The risk of poisoning is expressed, especially in elderly patients, in children, in patients with liver diseases, in cases of chronic alcoholism, in patients suffering from exhaustion and in patients taking inducers of liver microsomal enzymes.

Paracetamol overdose can lead to liver failure, encephalopathy, liver transplantation, coma and death.

Symptoms of a paracetamol overdose in the first 24 hours:

pallor of the skin, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, convulsions. Abdominal pain may be the first sign of liver damage and usually does not appear within 24-48 hours and may sometimes appear later, after 4-6 days. Liver damage manifests itself to the maximum extent on average after 72-96 hours after taking the drug. Disorders of glucose metabolism and metabolic acidosis may also occur.Even in the absence of liver damage, acute renal failure and acute tubular necrosis can develop. Cases of cardiac arrhythmias and the development of acute pancreatitis have been reported, usually with impaired liver function and toxic effects on the liver.

Treatment

In the event of an overdose, immediate medical attention is required, even in the absence of overdose symptoms.

Administration of intravenous or oral acetylcysteine ​​as an antidote, gastric lavage, ingestion of methionine may have a beneficial effect for at least 48 hours after an overdose.

Recommended intake of activated carbon, monitoring of respiration and blood circulation.

If seizures develop, diazepam may be prescribed.

Pheniramine and phenylephrine (overdose symptoms for pheniramine and phenylephrine are combined due to the risk of mutual potentiation of the parasympatholytic effect of pheniramine and the sympathomimetic effect of phenylephrine in case of drug overdose).

Symptoms and Signs

Drowsiness, which is further joined by anxiety (especially in children), visual disturbances, irritability, rash, nausea, vomiting, headache, irritability, dizziness, insomnia, circulatory disorders, coma, convulsions, changes in behavior, impaired consciousness, hallucinations , increase or decrease in blood pressure, arrhythmia and bradycardia.In case of an overdose of pheniramine, cases of atropine-like “psychosis” have been reported.

Treatment

No specific antidote available. Routine care is needed, including activated charcoal, saline laxatives, cardiac and respiratory support. Psychostimulants (methylphenidate) should not be prescribed because of the risk of seizures. With hypotension, it is possible to use vasopressor drugs.

In case of an increase in blood pressure, intravenous administration of alpha-blockers (for example, phentolamine) is possible, i.e.Since phenylephrine is a selective agonist of alpha1-adrenergic receptors, therefore, the hypertensive effect in case of an overdose of phenylephrine should be treated by blocking alpha1-adrenergic receptors.

Use diazepam if seizures develop.

Ascorbic acid **

High doses of ascorbic acid (> 3000 mg) can cause transient osmotic diarrhea and gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea and abdominal discomfort.The effects of an overdose of ascorbic acid can be attributed to severe hepatotoxicity caused by paracetamol overdose.

Sinusitis

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Perhaps the most unpleasant factor of sinusitis is severe headaches. This is due to increased pressure in the sinuses. In the normal state, it is the same as the atmospheric one.Since the sinuses are connected to the nasal passage, however, during sinusitis, mucosal edema occurs and the lumen of the anastomosis narrows. In this case, the sinus is isolated from the external atmosphere and the pressure in it increases, which causes headaches and a feeling of fullness. In addition, in this state, the sinuses continue to secrete mucus, which, without the possibility of outflow, accumulates and increases the level of fluid.

A feature of a headache with sinusitis is a change in its strength depending on the tilt of the head.So when the head is tilted back, forward or to the side, the pain intensifies and takes on a pulsating character. This is explained by the fact that when turning and tilting the head, the nerve endings are under a layer of fluid accumulated in the sinuses. Under normal conditions, the nerve endings are always in the air and when they are immersed in a liquid, the pain intensifies.

The only solution to the problem of headaches is to restore pressure in the sinuses and evacuate fluid from them. In this case, it is especially worth noting the presence of serious complications in this disease.In the absence of proper medical supervision, as well as with self-medication, sinusitis can lead to otitis media, bronchitis, pneumonia and other dangerous diseases.

Methods for the treatment of sinusitis

Drug treatment of sinusitis

Medication is aimed at removing the infection causing the swelling. The doctor conducts anti-infectious and analgesic therapy and, if necessary, depending on the state of the disease, prescribes other drugs for effective treatment.

Irrigation therapy

This therapy is a lavage of the nose with a large amount of physiological or hypertonic solution, which allows you to wash the anastomosis from the discharge blocking it.At the same time, due to the drawing of water from the mucous membrane, the edema is reduced. This allows you to restore the lumen between the sinuses, which restores pressure in them.

Yamik procedure

The procedure involves the installation of a Yamik sinus catheter, which creates negative pressure in the nasal cavity (due to the movement of the piston). With an increase in the pressure difference, excess air and part of the liquid from the sinuses are sucked out. Thus, sources of headache are eliminated, and in the vast majority of patients the pain goes away already during the procedure.

Puncture of the maxillary sinus

Puncture of the sinus is a rather unpleasant surgical intervention. The procedure consists in puncturing a hole in the wall of the sinus with a special needle. Through the hole obtained, rinsing with drugs takes place, as well as pressure relief.
It should be noted that in world practice this method is practically not used, since it is a painful and non-physiological procedure and can be used only for the treatment of one form of sinusitis-sinusitis.
In other forms of sinusitis (frontal sinusitis, ethmoiditis), puncture is a rather complicated surgical operation and is not widely used in medical practice at the present time.

Be healthy and do not get sick.
It hurts to live with sinusitis! He must be defeated!

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