Sinus Headaches – Causes and Treatments

Sinus headaches are one of the prevalent forms of headaches, eventhough there are over 300 medical conditions known to cause or accompany a headache.

Sinusitis occurs when the sinus cavities become full or inflamed.  Sinus headaches are often diagnosed incorrectly when the real condition is actually a migraine headache.  In any case, sinusitis does indeed cause pain in the face and head, which is, by definition, a headache.

Sinuses are cavities within the facial bones, above the eyes and behind the nose and cheekbones. The lining of the sinus cavities (they are lined with tissue and mucus) may become inflamed and/or full of fluid.  Sometimes they have so much fluid that the two sides of the cavity touch eachother.  The headache pressure and pain are caused by the inflammation and fullness.

Sinus headaches are referred to as secondary headaches because they are a result of another condition.  In the case of sinus headaches, the underlying condition is often a common colds.  Tension and migraine headaches are referred to as primary headaches because they are the actual condition themselves.

Effective treatment of sinus headaches is dependent on the actual cause of the inflamed sinuses.  If the cause is a common cold, then time is the only true cure.  There are, however, a wide variety of over the counter medications that can treat the symptoms effectively.

Some over the counte medications contain alcohol.  These medications should be avoided because they can actually make a headache worse.  Medications that contain aspirin or acetaminophen are often effective but you should be careful not to take too much.  There actually is a type of headache, aptly named MOH - Medication Overuse Headache - that is caused by too much medicine.

Sinusitis is sometimes a result of a more serious underlying condition.  Some people suffer from a deviated septum.  The deviated septum causes pockets or channels that allow fluid to accumulate – which results in inflamed sinuses.  Surgery is often a viable option for these types of sinus conditions.  The key factor is to get the right diagnosis, since surgery costs will be high and the results may vary.

If you have a mild forms of sinus headaches, focusing on the symptoms is often the best course of action.  To reduce swelling and ease the pain, some people rely on hot or cold compresses on their face.  Nasal sprays are readily available, and many people find that they work well.  As mentioned previously, it is important not to over medicate with nasal sprays because they can actually irritate the sinus passages if used too much.

Environmental issues are sometimes a cause of sinus irritation.  Factors such as rapid pressure changes from flying in an airplance, mild allergens, and stress can worsen your sinuses.  Weather fluctuations are often responsible for sinus conditions.  Your sinuses are affected by changes in air pressure and humidity.
Sinus headaches may result from allergies, although this is not common. Even brief allergic reactions need not be the result of an immune condition. Pathogens in the air or food can cause those not usually vulnerable to experience similar headache pain.

In almost all cases, once the sinuses are drained of excess fluid, and the inflammation ceases, the headache pain disappears as well. Sometimes that can be aided by the old fashioned inhalation of steam method. In other cases, modern antibiotics are called for. Consult your doctor for the right diagnosis and ask plenty of questions to understand all your treatment options.