Sinus Headache
One of the most common complaints associated with sinusitis and sinus infections is a sinus headache. However, the real reason for a common headache is very hard to determine. Over 30 million people each year are affected by sinusitis as stated by the United States Center for Disease Control and in addition, sinusitis has been listed as the most common chronic disease in America. Along with sinusitis and sinus infections comes a sinus headache, although not everyone that has sinusitis will have a sinus headache.
Sinus problems begin when the sinus cavities become congested and clogged. The way to determine if you do in fact have an infection is by the color of the drainage. If the drainage or mucus is clear then you do not have an infection. The drainage in your nose and throat will be discolored, normally yellowish or greenish or a combination of yellow greenish. If a person does have a sinus headache with an infection, it may only be a pressure sensation to severe pain.
A Sinus headache will normally be felt in the forehead, cheekbone area, and corners of the eye. However, some people have also reported pain behind the eyes, in the back of the neck, and even teeth pain. Most of the time, any movement of the head increases the pain in any or all of those areas.
It may be hard to determine if a headache is a sinus headache or a different type of headache not brought on from sinus problems. Tension headaches can also hurt in the back of the neck and forehead and migraine headaches are often felt in or around the eyes.
The best way to learn if you are suffering from a sinus headache is that you will most likely also have nasal stuffiness, discolored drainage, and congestion. The main reason a sinus headache occurs is that the sinus cavities become clogged, inflamed, and swells. Some things that might make the sinus headache worsen are irritants in the air around you such as cigarette smoke or perfume.
There are a few over the counter products that can help with a sinus headache when normal headache medications do nothing. Some of these include oral decongestants and nasal sprays. However, there are also other ways to learn if your headache is caused from sinus problems. You can use a warm compress on your face around your eyes and cheekbones. If the pressure is relieved, then more than likely you have a sinus infection that is causing the headache. The warm compress aids in the movement of the mucus and rid your sinuses of the build up, which will relieve the pressure.