Sinusitis causes severe sinus headaches when sinuses become blocked and inflamed due to colds, flu, or allergies. It can be difficult to distinguish between sinus headaches and migraines, but doctors can diagnose sinus headaches and recommend treatments such as nasal irrigation, humidifiers, and anti-inflammatory pain medicine.
A severe sinus headache is usually the result of sinusitis. When people have sinusitis, their sinuses don’t drain properly because they’re blocked. Sinuses become blocked when they become irritated and inflamed, and sinusitis causes this. Colds, flu and allergies are the main causes of sinusitis. When a person’s sinus cavities fill with mucus that they cannot drain, the amount of pressure a person feels in that area increases, and as a result, the person will often experience severe sinus headaches.
Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between a severe sinus headache and a migraine. People with sinus headaches will occasionally have other cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose or cough, but this isn’t always the case. Sinus headaches can occur without any other symptoms, and a person who has a sinus headache might believe they are actually suffering from a migraine. When a person has a sinus headache, their face may feel tender to the touch, and the pain may increase when they are outside in cold weather. Migraine sufferers often feel nauseous in addition to having a headache, and it’s not uncommon for them to see flashing lights behind their eyes.
When a severe sinus headache persists for more than a few days, you may need to see a doctor. In most cases, doctors can help patients determine whether their headaches are caused by inflammation of the sinuses or by other problems. Doctors can diagnose a sinus headache by asking their patients questions about their symptoms and by checking for signs of congestion and drainage inside the ears and throat. People who have chronic sinusitis often experience sinus headaches on a regular basis, and these people are often referred to ear, nose, and throat doctors because surgery on the sinuses is occasionally needed for treatment.
Most of the time, a severe sinus headache goes away on its own after the sinuses are no longer inflamed and blocked. If your headache was the direct result of a cold or an allergy, it will likely go away around the same time your cold and allergy symptoms subside. There are also many things people can do at home to ease their discomfort while having sinus headaches. Doctors often recommend nasal irrigation and the use of humidifiers to help with sinus symptoms. Anti-inflammatory pain medicine might also help ease the pain that a severe sinus headache can cause.
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