Is it a Sinus Headache ?

Sinus Headache

A sinus headache usually results from a sinus infection or allergy, or possibly following hard upon the heels of a cold or flu.  Inflammation of the sinus passages, which are the air cavities located behind and above your nose, is the cause of a sinus headache.

The increased pressure that results from the closing of infected sinuses is what causes the sinus headache. The pain associated with a sinus headache can be quite severe and last for an extended period of time.  They usually start in the morning after waking.

Sinus Headache Symptoms

The most common treatment for sinus headaches is antibiotics but physicians are beginning to question the validity of this approach because of the building up of resistance to the drug when taken repeatedly. Sinus headache symptoms include pain and pressure around the eyes, an ache in the upper teeth, fever or chills and swelling about the face.

A cool-mist humidifier can be of tremendous help in keeping your sinuses moist.

Heat and ice can be used to relieve the facial pain of sinus headaches with many doctors recommending hot compresses, hot drinks such as tea or broth, and even a steamy shower. 

Migraine Headache -v- Sinus Headache

So what are the differences between migraines and sinus headaches, and how do you determine which one you’ve got.  

To explain, there isn’t just one type of migraine headache, but two:

Typical migraine symptoms include pain that is preceded by visual disturbances, a throbbing on just one side of the head that may range from mild to extreme pain, nausea and vomiting. An increased sensitivity to both light and noise.

Migraines require a trigger to start the pain.  These triggers are numerous and can very significantly from person to person.  It is believed that most migraines seem to be triggered by food.  The most common food triggers seem to be aged cheese, chocolate, wine, processed meats, caffeine and Chinese food. Other triggers include flashing lights, loud noises, menstruation, lack of sleep, intense exercise, sex, weather changes, exposure to smoke or perfumes and stress.  In addition, some medications such as birth control pills and estrogen replacement therapy have been proven to be migraine triggers.  

So what’s the big deal with misdiagnosing a migraine headache as a sinus headache ? 

Well, for one thing all that money you’re spending on ‘sinus’ medication will do you no good whatever if you are suffering from migraines. 

In addition, if you are under the delusion that you are experiencing a sinus headache you may be unduly extending the life of your migraine by continuing to eat food triggers, or continuing to experience environmental triggers that you could and should avoid. 

In practical terms, treating a migraine headache as if it were a sinus headache is really no different from treating a toothache as if it were a sinus headache. The problems are completely different, regardless of how similar they may seem and how much they may have in common physiologically.  A sinus headache is a headache; a migraine is a disease and one of its symptoms is excruciating head pain. 

Do yourself a favor.  If you are absolutely convinced you are suffering sinus headaches, go see a doctor who knows the difference.

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