Sinus Pressure Headache

Sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, causes the nasal cavities to swell up and suffer from inflammation (commonly due to allergic reaction, a tumor, or an infection). And this restricts drainage of mucus, thus, causing it to get accumulated. This in turn builds up pressure in the areas, such as the eyes, cheeks and forehead. And this pressure manifests itself in the form of sinus pressure headaches, or simply known as sinus headaches. The pain that occurs is commonly felt to be radiating around the cheekbones, area of the forehead, under the eyes and the bridge of the nose. If you have had such kinds of headache, then you must have noticed that the pain aggravates if you bend down or carry something heavy.

Symptoms that May Accompany Sinus Headaches

Including the few symptoms mentioned already, these are others might accompany headache:

• Discharge of nasal mucus. It may be yellow-green in color, or might have a tinge of blood in it.
• Sore throat (a common symptom of sinusitis).
• The pain may also radiate to the region of the upper teeth.
• Accompanying symptoms such as fever, cough and fatigue usually makes the headache worse.

Note that, around 90% of people who suppose that their headache is due to a sinus infection, in reality, have migraines. The symptoms of these two conditions almost mimic each other, and that is why a medical diagnosis is necessary to confirm the real problem. However, nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to noise or light, are the characteristic features of migraines, but not of this type of headache we are discussing here.

Treatment Plan

You would be prescribed antibiotics, corticosteroid nasal sprays or pills, and you may also be advised to take over the counter medications to get relief from pain and congestion. In some cases, a physical problem in the nasal cavity can be the root cause of the sinus infection thus, the headache. For this, the doctor might recommend you to go for a surgical correction.

Home Remedies

Mild cases can be dealt with simple home remedies, which although may not cure the problem, but relieve the symptoms significantly.

• One helpful method is steam therapy. Simply turn on the hot shower in your bathroom and let it fill the room with steam. Stand inside it and inhale the vapor. This helps in clearing up the congestion and lessen the severity of the headache. You can get the same benefit by pouring some hot water in a large bowl, and leaning over it. Place a towel over your head and make a tent like formation. The steam will accumulate in the space, and you can inhale it.
• Another effective remedy is using saline nasal spray. Simply fill the solution in a spray bottle and squirt some of it into one nostril. Inhale it slowly to rinse the nasal passages. Repeat with the other nostril.
• While sleeping, use two pillows so that your head is at an elevated position. This encourages drainage and clearing up of the nasal passages.
• It is essential to increase the amount of fluid intake, including water, when you are ailing from sinus infection. Fluids help in keeping the body hydrated thus, making the mucus thinner and this reduces the pressure thus, the headache.

Sinus headache is a common problem faced by many. And it is nothing more than a nuisance unless, it turns out to be a problem of migraine, as discussed above. You can use the above home remedies whenever you come across this problem. However, if it does not seem to resolve, then better consult a doctor so as to rule out potential problems.