Sinus Headaches

Headaches that feel like a sinus infection (sinusitis) are common. They often cause a pressure-like pain around your eyes, cheeks, and forehead, and sometimes a throbbing sensation.

However, this kind of pain could also be a migraine. It's important to know the difference, as the treatment is different.

Sinus headaches can cause discomfort in various areas of your face. You might feel pain, pressure, or a feeling of fullness in your cheeks, forehead, or brow. Sometimes, leaning forward or lying down makes the pain worse. A stuffy or congested nose is another common symptom. You might also feel tired or fatigued, and experience an aching sensation in your upper teeth.

See a doctor if:

• You get headaches often. If you have headaches more than 15 days a month, or you find yourself reaching for over-the-counter pain relievers regularly to manage them, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. This could be a sign of an underlying issue.

• Over-the-counter pain relievers aren't working. If you're experiencing severe headaches, and even common pain relievers aren't providing enough relief, it's important to seek medical attention. This could indicate a more serious problem.

• Headaches are affecting your life. If your headaches are so frequent or intense that they're causing you to miss school or work, or are impacting your ability to do everyday things, don't ignore them. It's essential to get checked out by a healthcare professional.

Headaches related to sinuses are often mistaken for migraines or other types of head pain. These sinus headaches are characterized by a painful, pressure-like feeling in the face and the areas around the sinuses. They can also bring on nasal symptoms, such as congestion or a runny nose. Crucially, most sinus headaches aren't caused by a sinus infection. This means they typically don't need antibiotics for treatment.

Sinus headaches can happen to anyone, but some people might be more prone to them. These include:

• People who've had migraines or headaches before. If you've experienced migraines or other head pain in the past, you might be more susceptible to sinus headaches. This is because the underlying causes and pain pathways might be similar.
• People with a family history of migraines or headaches. If headaches run in your family, you could have a higher risk of developing sinus headaches. This is likely due to shared genetic factors that influence how your body reacts to pain and inflammation.
• People going through hormonal changes. Changes in hormones, like those experienced during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, can sometimes trigger headaches, including sinus headaches. These hormonal fluctuations can affect blood vessels and nerves in the head, potentially leading to pain.

Headaches can be reduced with lifestyle changes, regardless of whether you take medicine for them. Here are some helpful suggestions:

1. Avoid Triggers: If certain foods, smells, or other things seem to bring on your headaches, try to avoid them. Your doctor might recommend cutting back on caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. A regular daily schedule with consistent sleep and meal times can also help. Managing stress is important too. This could involve relaxation techniques, spending time in nature, or simply setting aside time for activities you enjoy.

2. Get Regular Exercise: Physical activity that gets your heart rate up, like walking, swimming, or biking, can help reduce tension headaches and prevent them from happening. Choose activities you enjoy! It's important to warm up slowly before any workout, since sudden, intense exercise can sometimes trigger a headache. Being active is also a key part of maintaining a healthy weight, which can reduce the risk of headaches. Being overweight or obese can contribute to headaches, so exercise is important for weight management.

3. Manage Estrogen's Role: If you find that estrogen might be making your headaches worse or triggering them, you might want to talk to your doctor about ways to reduce or avoid estrogen in your life. This could include discussing alternative birth control methods or adjusting doses of hormone replacement therapy. Your doctor can help you find the best approach for you.

Figuring out why you have a headache can be tricky. To find the cause, your doctor will ask you about your headache and do a physical check-up.

Sometimes, your doctor might need to use imaging tests to help them figure out what's causing your headache. These tests create pictures of your brain and head to look for problems. Here are two common types:

• CT scan: A CT scan uses X-rays. Imagine an X-ray machine that spins around your head. The machine takes lots of pictures from different angles, and a computer combines them to create detailed cross-sectional images of your brain, head, and even your sinuses (the air pockets in your head). This helps your doctor see if there are any problems, like a tumor or a blood clot.

• MRI scan: An MRI uses a powerful magnet and radio waves to create detailed images of your brain's structures. These images are like detailed slices of your brain, showing your doctor different parts of the brain's tissues and other structures. This can help your doctor see issues like tumors, injuries, or other problems that might be causing your headache.