Sinus headaches is a problem triggered due to multiple causes including allergies, pressure changes in the ear, swimming in polluted water or cold water, tooth infection, etc. An individual can experience sinus pain at anytime of the year, this can be due to a major change in your routine activity, release of pollens, etc.
During a sinus headache, tissues in the nasal passages become inflamed and prevent drainage of nasal secretions. There are many different types of sinus headaches that show the same symptoms as migraines or tension headaches. Thus it becomes important to consult this problem with your doctor to accurately diagnose the type of headache from which you are suffering. You can use the following instructions to treat a sinus headache once you have diagnosed it.
Common symptoms of sinus headache may include;
- Severe pain, pressure and fullness in your cheeks, eyebrows and forehead
- Pain is unbearable while bending forward or lying down
- Yellow-green or blood-tinged nasal discharge
- Feverish
- Stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Achy feeling in your upper jaw and teeth
- Decrease in the sense of taste and smell
You must seek for a medical help if;
- Your symptoms last for longer than 10 days
- The headache becomes chronic or unbearable pain even after taking medicines.
- You have fever more than 100.5 F (38°C)
- You’ve had several episodes of sinusitis within a year
Commonly notice causes of sinus
Sinus headaches accompany sinusitis, a condition in which the membranes lining your sinuses become swollen and inflamed. It can be caused due to
- Colds
- Bacterial infections
- Fungal infections
- An impaired immune system
- Structural problems in the nasal cavity
Common Risk Factors of suffering from sinus are;
- Asthma
- Nasal growths (polyps)
- Severe allergies to dust, pollen or mold
- A weak immune system
- Exposure to pollutants, e.g. airborne chemicals
- It affects the way mucus moves within the respiratory system, i.e. cystic fibrosis
- Irritants to smoke, cigarette smoke, etc.
Treatment & drug to cure sinus
- In case of you have sinus problem caused due to bacteria, then you doctor may prescribe you with an anti-biotic. Ensure that you are completing the entire course of the prescribed medication.
- You doctor may even prescribed you Corticosteroid nasal sprays or pills if you have sinus related to allergies or inflammation.
- As the sinus clears up, the sinus headache will also disappear. Meanwhile, over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestant and saline nasal spray may help you recover. Ensure that you are using these medications as prescribed to you.
- Continuous nasal irrigation may shrink the sinus membrane and increase drainage. Various nasal irrigation kits are easily available.
- In case, if a structural problem in your nasal cavity is causing sinus headache, then a surgical correction may be recommended.
Prevention measure to reduce the risk of sinus headache includes;
- Wash your hands often with soap and water
- Avoid irritants (Avoid cigarette, cigar and pipe smoke)
- Make use of a humidifier add moisture to dry indoor air can help prevent sinusitis