If you have a headache accompanied by pressure and pain in your nose and cheeks, or even your gums, you may have a sinus headache. Sinus headaches can be caused by allergies, infection, or even very dry air. Treatment depends largely on whether this headache is caused by sinus irritation due to allergy or to infection.
Features
Along with headache, which may or may not be felt all across the front and top of the head, sinus headache symptoms include pressure and pain above and below the eyes and ache in the jaw and gums. Additional symptoms are a stuffy nose and a feeling of fullness in the ears.
Features
The sinuses are mucus-lined cavities in the skull. They are positioned on each side of the nose, behind the eyes and above the eyebrows. The sinus membranes can easily become inflamed due to irritants or infection. This inflammation can stop regular sinus drainage, trapping mucus and causing headaches along with pain and pressure in the face.
Causes
Sinus headaches can be caused by anything irritating the sinuses. This includes allergens in the air, cold weather, or a sinus infection. The feeling of pressure is caused by swelling of the sinus membranes and blockage by excess mucus.
Treatment
Sinus headaches can be relieved by taking over-the-counter pain relievers and by home remedies, such as warm compresses on the face. To help moisten and clear the sinuses, use a warm air vaporizer. Or fill a sink full of hot water and place a towel over your head, inhaling the warm moist air.
If the sinus headache is caused by an allergy, oral antihistamines may help. If your headache is caused by bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection. Nasal decongestants provide temporary relief, but should be used only occasionally as overuse can cause a rebound effect.
Sterile saline nasal spray is sometimes beneficial in dry climates or seasons. This spray helps keep nasal membranes moist and may prevent irritants from entering the sinuses.
Warning
If you also have a fever, or green or yellow nasal discharge, suspect a viral or bacterial sinus infection.
If sinus headache is caused by infection, early treatment will prevent the infection from worsening or spreading elsewhere--for instance, to the throat or ears.
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