A sinus headache is a common health issue that happens when the sinus passages behind your eyes, nose, cheeks, and forehead are congested. This issue is caused by a condition called sinusitis, which can either be viral or bacterial. Sinus headaches can cause you to experience pain deep in your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and in your lower forehead, which you may experience on one side or both sides of your head.
Before assuming that the culprit of your headache is the inflammation of your sinuses and rushing to self-treat, there are several things that you need to keep in mind, as follows.
The tell-tale symptoms of the sinusitis itself
First of all, you need to be well-informed of the tell-tale symptoms of sinusitis aside from the headache itself. The most common symptoms include a stuffy nose, postnasal drip, fever, discolored nasal discharge, aching in the teeth below the sinus, pain getting worse when leaning forward, and uncomfortable pressure behind your forehead. Furthermore, experts also emphasized that most sinus infections happen following a cold. If you have considered all these factors, it’s still important to understand that similar symptoms are also present in other health conditions. Thus, it’s still too soon to go ahead and treat yourself.
So, if it’s not a sinus headache, what else can it be?
Though the above tell-tale symptoms might help diagnose your headache, a sinus headache is not a condition that should be self-diagnosed. The American Migraine Foundation has stated that 90% of the time self-diagnosed sinus headaches turn out as migraines.
While you may believe otherwise, migraine is also commonly associated with the forehead and facial pressure over the sinuses, nasal congestion, and runny nose.
When your headache is accompanied by nausea, dizziness, or sensitivity to light, then it is highly likely that you are experiencing migraines instead of a sinus headache.
So, do you suspect yourself having a sinus headache? you must see your doctor as soon as possible then for confirmation and the best treatment.
What treatment to expect for sinus headaches
When diagnosed with sinus headaches, your doctor will prescribe you medication to relieve your symptoms. Your sinus infection will also be treated if you’re experiencing one. This prescription may include antihistamines or decongestants for a short time, pain relievers, and corticosteroids as needed to treat the inflammation in your sinuses. Your treatment will involve antibiotics to when a bacterial infection causes your sinus headache.
Furthermore, allergies also tend to send trigger for your sinus headaches that will cause sinus congestion. Thus, it is always best to opt for preventive treatment for your allergies.
At last, in rare cases where you experience ongoing and recurrent sinus infections or have abnormal sinus structure or growths, your ENT doctor might recommend sinus surgery to open the pathways of your sinuses and remove obstructions.
We are aware that sinus headaches can be disastrous for our patients if left untreated. Our medical professionals at Prime Plus Medical provide prime assistance in treating sinus headaches and giving you the medications required to elevate your recovery stage. Consult our doctor to find immediate care for your sickness if you are residing in Bali.
What you can do at home
Some simple home remedies can serve pretty well as natural decongestants. You can try these home therapies to treat the symptoms:
- inhaling steam from a boiling pot of water
- take a hot shower
- use a humidifier
- drink more fluids
- use a saline nasal spray
But remember, first things first! If you think you might experience a sinus headache, avoid self-diagnosis and consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Prime Plus Medical is an established medical clinic in Bali operating 24/7. We commit to deliver an extensive range of services. Those include routine blood work, physical check-ups, dental care, IV vitamin therapy, and more. We believe in providing the best care and experience for every patient we treat.