If recurring sinus headaches prevent you from fulfilling your home and work commitments, consult pain doctors experienced in diagnosing and treating sinus pressure and pain. Top headache doctors at Advanced Headache Center come up with the best treatment to get rid of a sinus pressure headache. With advanced diagnostic equipment and a multidisciplinary approach, the headache specialist can determine your sinus issues and prescribe personalized treatment plans to improve your quality of life.
Sinus pressure headache occurs due to congestion of the sinus passage behind the eyes, nose, cheeks, and forehead. You can suffer from sinus headaches if you have allergies or when your sinuses get triggered for some reason. The pressure or pain is felt on either or both sides of your head and anywhere in the sinus area as well. Sometimes sinus headaches are also a symptom of an ongoing sinus condition known as sinusitis.
Swelling or inflammation in the mucosal lining of the nose and sinuses can lead to sinus pressure headaches. The build-up of pressure in sinuses results in pain that feels like a headache. You will feel a sensation of pressure in the sinuses that causes discomfort in the form of a headache, pain around the eyes and face. These symptoms get worse when you lie down or bend due to the pressure on the sinuses.
Other symptoms of inflamed sinuses resemble those of a cold. They include:
Sinus headaches can also cause pain in the upper jaw. Redness and swelling on the cheeks are also noticed in extreme cases of blocked sinuses.
Sinus pressure headaches can have several reasons. They include:
Sinus infection or blockage can also trigger sinus headaches. Every cause has a different trigger and treatment. Focusing on the symptoms can help to find a successful treatment for sinus headaches.
Many people end up confusing migraines with sinus headaches as the signs and symptoms of these two types of headaches often overlap. Studies have shown that 90% of people who approach a doctor for sinus headache relief are diagnosed with migraines.
Headaches due to sinus inflammation last for a few days, or longer while migraines only last a day or two. Also, sinus headaches are not associated with nausea, vomiting, or intensified by noise or bright light, which are common migraine symptoms. Migraine flare ups need a different type of treatment and the first step in alleviating the pain. The expert doctor will recommend prescription medications to ease the pain and decrease the frequency of migraine attacks.
To get rid of a sinus headache, determining the underlying causes is necessary. If your sinuses feel dry, or if you have thick, dry mucous in the nasal passages, these symptoms are probably caused by a lack of humidity. During the winter months, heaters and furnaces are used excessively or during the summers with round-the-clock air conditioning.
Allergies are another common cause of sinus headaches and pain. Most allergies are seasonal, but many people suffer from allergies all year long. If allergies cause your sinus headaches, our specialist Dr.Amr Hosny MD, MBA, AQH will recommend medications.
Antihistamines are the most effective treatment for allergies and provide quick relief. The most common over-the-counter antihistamines include:
If over-the-counter antihistamines cannot treat your sinuses, the pain doctor may prescribe others that provide the desired relief. They include:
Anti-inflammatory medications are the best and help to get rid of an active sinus headache. Commonly recommended over-the-counter medications include acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs such as:
If over-the-counter medications are unable to provide relief, your doctor may prescribe stronger anti-inflammatories. There are two types of prescription anti-inflammatories, NSAIDs and steroids. The medications include:
It is essential to use these medications as recommended by the doctor to avoid overdosage and side effects. If these medications are not working or you want to try out a new method to manage your sinuses, the doctor will suggest alternative treatment options to take care of the headaches.
The doctor might recommend these alternative treatment options and remedies for relieving sinus headaches at home. They include:
If you experience frequent sinus headaches and treatments, do not seem to work, consult a headache specialist. Fever, pain, swelling of your face or eye, and redness around the eyes or cheeks accompanied by severe headache should not be taken lightly. Schedule an appointment with an expert medical practitioner to know more about managing these headaches.
You can live a better quality of life by eliminating these pressures and pains with accurate diagnosis and positive solutions. Schedule an appointment with the experienced pain management doctor at Advanced Headache Center to know more about possible treatments to move forward and enjoy a headache-free life.
Dr. Hosny is an Ivy League Trained, UCNS-accredited, board-certified headache specialist who offers the latest preventive and abortive treatments to provide safe and effective head pain relief. As an active member of prominent organizations and professional societies that advance headache science, education, and management, such as the National Headache Foundation, Dr. Hosney specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of head pain disorders, including tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches, to name a few.
Dr. Hosny's reputation for enhancing headache care quality through the use of the most effective and technologically advanced treatment options for persistent primary and secondary chronic headaches has been acknowledged by Castle Connolly and Healthgrades, where he has received over 200 positive reviews. Dr. Hosny is also recognized as a distinguished New York City physician and headache specialist by New York Magazine.
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