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:
- Achy feeling in upper teeth
- Congestion, causing difficulty breathing through, and reduced sense of smell and taste
- Drainage down the back of the throat, also known as postnasal drainage
- Pain when leaning forward or bending over
- Pain, pressure, fullness or tenderness, and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead
- Thick, discolored discharge, or mucus, from the nose
- Throbbing pain
Other less common symptoms can include:
- Bad breath
- Cough or frequent throat-clearing
- Ear pain or pressure
- Fatigue
- Nasal or throat irritation
- Voice hoarseness
Sinus Headaches vs. Migraines – What’s Causing the Pain?
Studies show that 90% of people with sinus headache symptoms are 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
- A weak immune system or taking drugs that weaken the immune system
- 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
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:
- Antibiotics might be prescribed if a bacterial infection is present, although many sinus infections improve without antibiotic treatment.
- 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.
- Decongestants can relieve nasal congestion and improve sinus drainage by reducing swelling of blood vessels in your nose.
- 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.
- Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve) can alleviate sinus pain.
- Saline nasal sprays do not contain medication. They add moisture to the nasal passages, thin mucus secretions, and flush out inflamed cells and germs.
When To Go to Urgent Care for Sinus Headaches
Consult a doctor if:
- 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.
- Your headache symptoms occur more than 15 days a month or require frequent pain medicine available without a prescription.
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.
- A neti pot or another sinus rinsing system may provide relief. Always use distilled, purified, or boiled water that is allowed to cool.
- Apply a warm compress to your face.
- Drink plenty of water to keep mucus thin and loose.
- Elevate your head while sleeping. If the pain is on one side, sleep on the pain-free side.
- 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.
- 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
Unlike most ERs or urgent care centers in the area, PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care in Albuquerque, patients are only billed for the level of services they need. The ER and urgent care are open 24 hours a day, every day. No appointment is required for in-person visits.
PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care has four convenient locations:
- PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care Paseo/San Pedro is located at 6400 Paseo Del Norte Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113, and may be reached at 505-596-2100.
- PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care Coors/Western Trail is located at 4515 Coors Blvd. NW Albuquerque, NM 87120, and may be reached at 505-596-2200.
- PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care Isleta/Rio Bravo is located at 3436 Isleta Blvd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105, and may be reached at 505-596-2300.
- PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care Menaul/Pennsylvania is located at 7400 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, and may be reached at 505-596-2400.
