Sinus Headaches: Causes, Symptoms and When To Get Medical Care

Do you have throbbing pain in your face or head that won’t improve? You may have a sinus headache. What is known as a “sinus headache” is often a symptom of a sinus infection, also known as sinusitis. With sinus pressure and headache, you may experience pressure around the eyes, cheeks and forehead. Typically, these headaches go away once a sinus infection runs its course. It’s important to learn when to see a doctor to help manage symptoms.

Common symptoms of sinus infection include:

• Thick, discolored discharge, or mucus, from the nose.
• Congestion, causing difficulty breathing through, and reduced sense of smell and taste.
• Drainage down the back of the throat, also known as postnasal drainage.
• Throbbing pain.
• Achy feeling in upper teeth.
• Pain when leaning forward or bending over.
• Pain, pressure, fullness or tenderness, and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead.

Other less common symptoms can include:

• Cough or frequent throat clearing.
• Fatigue.
• Ear pain or pressure.
• Nasal or throat irritation.
• Bad breath.
• Voice hoarseness.

Sinus Headaches vs. Migraines – What’s causing the pain?

Studies show that 90% of people with sinus headache symptoms are also experiencing migraine headaches. Is the head pain from sinusitis or a migraine?

Migraines and headaches from sinusitis are easy to confuse because the signs and symptoms of the two types of headaches may overlap. Migraine headaches affect people differently, and symptoms can change over time.

Headaches triggered by sinusitis usually aren't associated with nausea or vomiting, or aggravated by noise or bright light, which are all common features of migraines. Instead, they tend to occur after a viral upper respiratory infection or cold and include thick, discolored nasal mucus, decreased sense of smell and pain in one cheek or upper teeth.

Headaches due to sinus conditions often last several days or longer, while migraines most commonly last hours to a day or two.

Causes of Sinus Infections

Sinus infections happen when fluid builds up in the air-filled pockets in the face (sinuses) around your eyes and on either side of your nose. These cavities play an important role in warming and moistening the air you breathe. Healthy sinuses allow mucus to drain and air to circulate throughout the nasal passages. Fluid buildup in the sinus cavities allows germs to grow.

Risk factors

• A previous cold.
• Seasonal allergies.
• Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Structural problems within the sinuses. For example, growths on the lining of the nose or sinuses, known as nasal polyps.
• A weak immune system or taking drugs that weaken the immune system.

Sinuses are prone to inflammation, known as sinusitis, which may lead to the common symptoms of pressure and pain. The most common cause of sinusitis is a viral infection, but both bacteria and fungi can be the culprits.

Treatment for Sinus Headaches

Treating sinus headaches most often involves reducing inflammation and congestion in the sinuses. The most common treatments include the following:

• Decongestants can relieve nasal congestion and improve sinus drainage by reducing swelling of blood vessels in your nose.
• Antihistamines block the action of histamine, a substance released during allergic reactions that causes mucus production and swelling in the mucosal lining of the sinuses. They are particularly effective if the sinus headache is triggered by allergies.
• Nasal steroid sprays reduce the swelling of nasal membranes and are particularly useful for people with allergies. Nasal steroid sprays take up to one week to start working, with maximal effects two to three weeks later. They are designed for longer-term use.
• Saline nasal sprays do not contain medication. They add moisture to the nasal passages, thin mucus secretions, and flush out inflamed cells and germs.
• Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) can alleviate sinus pain.
• Antibiotics might be prescribed if a bacterial infection is present, although many sinus infections improve without antibiotic treatment.

When To Go to Urgent Care for Sinus Headaches

Consult a doctor if:

• Your headache symptoms occur more than 15 days a month or require frequent pain medicine available without a prescription.
• You have a severe headache and pain medicine available without a prescription doesn't help.
• You miss school or work because of frequent headaches, or the headaches interfere with your daily life.

Speak to your doctor about treatment for nasal polyps or a deviated nasal septum if you have either of these conditions.

Simple Ways To Relieve and Prevent Sinus Headaches

These steps can help restore proper drainage of the sinus cavities.

• Drink plenty of water to keep mucus thin and loose.
• Apply a warm compress to your face.
• Inhale steam. Spend time in a hot shower, or boil water and inhale the steam from a pot. Even steam inhaled from hot tea or chicken soup can help. Aim to inhale steam three to four times a day.
• A neti pot or another sinus rinsing system may provide relief. Always use distilled, purified or boiled water that is allowed to cool.
• Elevate your head while sleeping. If the pain is on one side, sleep on the pain-free side.
• Use saline nasal sprays to loosen mucus and rinse the sinuses.

Because most sinus headaches are caused by viral infections, do your best to avoid these germs by washing your hands properly and keeping your distance from people who are ill. If you catch a cold, blow your nose gently without pinching it tightly to avoid forcing germs up into your sinuses.

Get Immediate Care for Your Sinus Headache

ProMedica Toledo Hospital Emergency and Urgent Care provides patients with quality care and services. Staff are ER-trained to determine patient conditions, and patients only pay for the level of service they receive - either ER or urgent care. The emergency department is open 24/7 and the urgent care clinic is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. You don't need an appointment. All walk-ins are welcome.

ProMedica Toledo Hospital Emergency and Urgent Care is located at 1075 Medical Center Parkway, Maumee, Ohio 43537.