What causes a sinus headache?

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Just like the common cold, sinus infections are caused by a virus which results in the swelling on the internal parts of the nose which apparently reduces the drainage of the sinuses. There are other cases where sinusitis is cause by allergic reactions such as when an inflammation is triggered by hay fever. Because of the inflammation, the effectiveness of the sinuses is decreased and the production of inflammatory fluids is enhanced. This combination of those internal activities is not normal and the result is usually pain and pressure in the head which is referred to as a sinus headache.


The nature of the body just like the rest of nature abhors stagnant fluids and when the nasal fluids remain stagnant for a while it becomes easy for them to cause a bacterial or viral infection.


When someone has developed a sinus infection there are obvious symptoms that will appear such as chills, fever, malaise, aching muscles as well as a discharge that is greenish yellow in color. Other symptoms include swollen lymph nodes around the neck which may be similar to those infection of the lymph nodes that accompany sore throats or ear infections. Sometimes the sinuses may be infected without their necessarily being inflammation whereby the drainage will be clear. When the maxillary sinus is inflamed there will be pain felt in the areas around the upper teeth since that is the area where the sinus is located.


Sinus headaches are a serious issue and one needs to know exactly when to contact a doctor. A few people are able to correctly diagnose sinus headaches in the comfort of their homes and even do treatment at the same time. Treatment in this case may involve taking fluids as well as breathing humidified air which will loosen the nasal cavities and promote proper drainage in the nose. We however need to cautious of self medication especially when the symptoms of sinus headaches are accompanied with a fever. The same case applies to cases where there is obvious swelling in some parts of the face as this may signal other accompanying issues that may need to be attended to by a specialized physician. When home treatment does not bare any reasonable results and the headache does not subside or there are signs of confusion then the patient needs to get medical attention at once.

Diagnosis of sinus headache

Just like any other medical condition, it is important to make sure that the cause of any headache you suffer is identified by a qualified physician. There are many patients who misdiagnose their headaches and end up taking medication for sinus headaches when the truth may be that they are suffering from tension headaches or even migraine headaches. Your doctor will take time to listen to the list of symptoms you will present so as to come up with the correct diagnosis. There are plenty of contributing factors for sinus headaches which may include colds, infections in the upper respiratory system, allergies, history of smoking and for some people common things like travelling, scuba diving as well as swimming.

When you suffer from a headache and your doctor suspects a sinus headache infection he/she will conduct a physical examination by tapping over the affected area to know what exactly you may be suffering from. Physical examination may be done through the ears to check the levels of fluids in the middle ear which will help them determine whether there is a problem with fluid drainage and will give an indication on the state of your sinuses. There may also be some swelling in the nasal passage which the doctor will discover by examining your nasal passage. Proper diagnosis when the doctor wants to confirm his/she suspicion may be completed by imaging your nasal cavities using a CT scan where he/she may be able to see any fluid retention as well as swollen mucus membranes that line the wall of the sinuses.

Treatment for a sinus headache

There are two goals that need to be achieved when treatment for sinus headaches begins. At the beginning the goal is usually to reduce the inflammation of the sinuses so that they begin to drain after which it will be possible to relive the pain associated with the headache. After the initial pain has been taken care of then the next phase of the treatment is going to involve finding and treating any underlying triggers that brought about the problem in the first place. Congestion from sinusitis can also be decreased mechanically or naturally through the consumption of sufficient fluids so that the body remains hydrated.

You may also find over-the-counter drugs which are effective in the reduction of inflammation in the sinuses and which will in turn promote the drainage. There are also nasal sprays that are used in the management of sinus headaches but these are used only for a short period of time since most may have some side effects. When sinus headaches persist without any response to treatment your doctor may opt for surgery that will widen your nasal passages and decrease the risk of recurrent attacks.

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