Say Goodbye to Sinus Headaches

A sinus headache usually occurs as a result of sinusitis, an infection causing the swelling and inflammation of the membranes that line the sinuses. These types of headaches though, are often confused with migraines or tension headaches. Changes in pressure are what ultimately initiates the sinus aggravation and if untreated the headache is what follows.

The sinus headache could have one or several triggers, including colds; allergies to mold, dust or pollen; bacterial or fungal infections; problems with the immune system; or structural problems of the nasal cavity. People who suffer with asthma, have nasal growths or polyps, or have a disorder that affects the way mucus moves within the respiratory system, such as cystic fibrosis, may be at higher risk to experience sinus headaches.

There are two types of sinusitis, chronic and acute. Chronic sinusitis affects nearly 30 to 40 million Americans every year. It starts with the swelling of the mucous membranes in your sinuses and causes fluid to build up. This eventually plugs the cavity and stops normal mucus drainage. Acute sinusitis is the most common case and is usually cleared up in less than four weeks. If the condition recurs or lasts at least 12 consecutive weeks, the case is then chronic.

Headaches associated with sinusitis usually have very distinctive signs and symptoms. The most common is pain and pressure across the forehead and cheeks and around the eyes. Nasal stuffiness and sometimes an achy feeling in the upper teeth also accompany this. Other symptoms include sore throat (which can be the result of a tonsil infection brought on by the dripping of infected mucus down the throat), fever and chills, facial swelling, yellow or green discharge, and fatigue.

In most cases, the symptoms often appear as soon as you awaken and the pain may worsen if you lean forward or lie flat. This is a factor that often confuses the sinus headache with a migraine. Migraines may also be accompanied by some nasal symptoms like congestion, facial pressure and a watery, nasal discharge. Migraines though, will have throbbing pain and you will also experience sensitivity to light or sound.

The key to treating sinus headaches is to reduce the swelling and inflammation of the sinuses. You also want to facilitate backed-up mucous drainage. For acute cases, there are steps that could be executed at home to provide relief:

-Breathing moist air, whether through a humidifier, steam vaporizer or just a hot shower. This begins loosening the backed-up mucous for nasal drainage.

-Alternating between a hot and cold compress. The hot compress should be applied for three minutes at a time and the cold compress for thirty seconds. This should be done 2-6 times a day.

-Nasal irrigation through rinses and spray which help to shrink sinus membranes and increase drainage.

-Over-the-counter medications with a primary ingredient of aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen or a combination of any decongestants and antihistamines may also provide relief. In difficult cases, nasal steroid sprays can be used.

-Alternative medicine in the form of herbal treatments, such as the magnolia flower, angelica, mint, and chrysanthemum. These treatments though, have not been scientifically confirmed.

In more severe, chronic cases of sinus headache, medically treatment may be needed. A CT scan may be administered to determine the extent of blockage, as well as an allergy test and desensitization. Antibiotics may be prescribed, but if they fail to provide any relief, an endoscopic or image-guided surgery may be necessary.

Although some people are naturally at risk for experiencing a form of sinusitis, there are some preventive measures to keep cases from becoming chronic, good hygiene being one of the most effective. Other actions include carefully managing allergies and preventing asthma attacks, treating cold symptoms immediately, using a humidifier to keep nasal passages clear, and avoiding cigarette smoke.

Learn more about sinus headaches and Frequent Headaches at http://www.frequent-headaches.com

The Sinus Infection Headache
Nowadays there are many advertisements for pills that treat sinus infection and many people have come to think that all their headaches are caused by a sinus infection. This is very untrue, because there are many differences between a sinus infection...

Sinus Headache Relief
The sinuses are spaces in the facial area, just under the skin around the nose, eyes, cheeks and temples. At times, they become infected and clogged with mucus which can lead to sinusitis and sinus headaches. This can be a very uncomfortable and pain...

Truth About Sinus Headaches
Sinusitis is a pretty common ailment that afflicts millions of individuals worldwide. The reason for sinusitis is that the paranasal sinuses within our skulls are irritated either by bacteria or allergies that cause the sinus passages to swell and co...

Looking For Sinus Headache Relief
Discover what your Sinus Headache Relief Options are!If you are looking for an effective sinus headache relief, you will need to take several factors into consideration before choosing the right one. The first thing you should do before even thinking...

A Sinus Headache - Can It Be Effectively Treated?
Unlike a lot of other headaches that patients must suffer through, a sinus headache does have some potential cures, or at least effective remedies. This isnt to say theyll all be instant, cure alls, but there are some approaches sufferers can take to...

Frequent Headache Symptoms Might Require Attention
Almost everyone suffers from a headache from time to time. But for those who deal with frequent headache symptoms, getting through daily activities can be difficult. With pain that can be unbearable, more serious forms of headaches very likely requir...

Home Remedies for Headaches
Many people suffer with headachesall types of headaches. Most people have tried every medicine known to man to help alleviate the painful problem. Sometimes the medicine works and sometimes it doesnt. The bad thing about using medicine to rid your...

A Headache Can Have Many Causes
The biggest problem with treating a headache is the simple fact they are not all the same. With such varieties as tension, sinus, migraine and cluster, finding the right way to go about getting rid of a headache when one strikes is important. If the ...

Non-Migraine Headaches
One of the most common types of pain is a headache. Many people resort to over-the counter medications to relieve their headache, instead of trying to eliminate the cause of it. Twenty-seven percent of patients with headaches seek alternative forms...

Causes of Headaches and Latest Medical Treatments
Virtually every person in existence has had a headache. Worse, some of us are plagued with constant and frequent headaches which can be debilitating and frustrating to treat. A headache is any pain that you experience that happens in your head, above...