Sinus headaches and migraines can be difficult to differentiate, but sinus headaches are caused by sinusitis and have symptoms of a sinus infection, while migraines affect the head and cause nausea and sensitivity to light. Sinus headaches are treated with antibiotics and pain relievers, while migraines may require prescription medication.
A sinus headache and a migraine are commonly confused. The sudden, throbbing pain and immediate discomfort of both sinus headaches and migraines may be difficult to diagnose at first. Basically, a sinus headache is commonly caused by sinusitis and has the typical symptoms of a sinus infection: tenderness in the sinus cavities, a foul-smelling discharge, fever, and a reduced sense of smell. A migraine affects the front, top, or back of the head and can cause pain in the neck. Migraines are accompanied by nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to noise and bright lights, and can be very debilitating.
Migraines affect people, mostly women, between the ages of 15 and 55 and may be hereditary. Migraine sufferers often experience an “aura” 10-30 minutes before an encounter and it could include visions of flashing lights or blind spots, numbness or tingling in the face or extremities, and mental confusion, as well as inhibition of taste, touch, or of smell. Two distinct symptoms that differentiate a migraine from a sinus headache are nausea and extreme sensitivity to lights.
A sinus headache is commonly caused by an infection, but could also be caused by allergies, malignancies, or exposure to an environmental contaminant. Initially, the severe, sharp pain feels very similar to a migraine, because the tender sinus cavities become inflamed or irritated. Sufferers experience facial tenderness in the upper cheekbones, nose and forehead. When an infection develops, symptoms such as yellowish or greenish nasal discharge and fever develop. Two distinct symptoms that can be used to differentiate between an infectious sinus headache and a migraine are facial tenderness and nasal discharge.
These different causes are why a sinus headache and a migraine get different treatments. A sinus headache caused by an infection is treated with antibiotics, decongestants, or steroid nasal sprays. Over-the-counter pain relievers relieve temporary pain.
There is no cure for migraines, and over-the-counter pain relievers may provide little or no relief. Migraine sufferers might be taking prescription drugs, such as triptans, which balance chemicals in the brain. New studies show that treating a migraine when symptoms start could prevent a severe and debilitating attack.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
