Sinus headache – causes, symptoms, treatment, home remedies. Sinus headache medications

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The sinuses are empty spaces located in the facial skeleton. When they become inflamed – usually due to an allergic reaction or infection – they swell, produce more mucus, and the ducts that carry it away can become blocked. The increasing pressure in the sinuses causes a pain that resembles a headache and is called a sinus headache.

Sinus headache – structure and types of sinuses

The sinuses are a series of interconnected voids behind the cheekbones, forehead, and nose

There are four types of symmetrically located bays, which are named after their location:

1. maxillary sinuses (parapid sinuses) – located directly above the jaw, they are even and the largest of all types of sinuses, these are the under-eye sinuses;
2. frontal sinus (parietal sinuses) – located above the eyebrows, symmetrically paired on both sides of the forehead, slightly smaller than the maxillary sinuses;
3. sphenoid sinuses – are located behind the nasal cavity, quite deep in the skull, they are small, even numbers;
4. sieve cells – located halfway up the nose, they are irregular and odd.

Healthy sinuses produce thin mucus. As air flows through the sinuses to the lungs, this mucus traps harmful particles such as dust, dirt, and bacteria.

Although babies have sinuses, they are very underdeveloped. The maxillary sinuses cannot be seen on X-rays until the age of 1-2, and the frontal sinuses cannot be seen until the age of 5 or 6.

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Sinus headache – where does it come from?

If the linings of the tubes or tubes that connect your sinuses to the back of your nose become inflamed, the mucus may not be able to drain normally and pressure may build up inside the blocked sinus. It can also be accompanied by swelling and inflammation in the lining of the sinuses, resulting in increased secretion of mucus and fluids. This increase in fluid, coupled with the inability to drain, increases the pressure in the sinus cavity, causing sinus headaches.

Sinus headache can occur seasonally if we have allergies, or only occasionally if our sinuses are stimulated for some other reason.

What causes sinus headache?

While sinusitis can be caused by a viral infection and causes nasal swelling (inflammation). This inflammation and the decreased ability of the sinuses to drain can also be caused by an allergic reaction such as hay fever. Inflammation causes swelling and increased fluid production. In the sinuses, this reduces the drainage capacity of the sinuses. It is this increased production of inflammatory fluids and decreased drainage that causes pain and pressure that we call sinus headache.

Over time, bacteria and viruses can travel from the nasal cavities into the standing fluid in the sinus cavity and cause infection. Most sinus infections are caused by viruses.

Viruses are more likely to be the cause if symptoms last less than a week and don’t get worse. Bacterial infections usually follow an initial period of inflammation from a viral infection or other significant blockage of the sinuses (e.g. nasal polyps, abnormal growths in the nose or sinuses can block mucus drainage, or a deviated septum where the line of cartilage and bone in the center of the nose is not straight. may prevent the mucus from draining properly). Very rarely, a sinus infection can be caused by fungal infections, and even more rarely, a tumor may attack the sinuses.

At this point, it is worth paying attention to the fact that the maxillary sinus is located under the eye in the cheekbone. The upper teeth stick to the bottom of this bone, and dental infections can travel up the root of the tooth and directly infect the sinus.

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Sinus headache – symptoms

If you suffer from sinus headaches, you will experience deep and continuous pain in the cheekbones, forehead, or the bridge of the nose. Pain usually gets worse when the head suddenly moves or becomes tense. At the same time, the sick person may also have other symptoms, such as:

1. train;
2. a feeling of fullness in the ears;
3. fever;
4. swelling of the face.

Other types of recurrent headaches, such as migraines or tension headaches, are often confused with sinus headaches. Since the treatment we need depends on the type of headache we have, it’s important to find out if our symptoms are caused by the sinuses. If the cause is a sinus obstruction such as an infection, we’ll likely have a fever.

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Sinus headache and migraine

Migraines and sinus headaches can be easily confused as the signs and symptoms of the two types of headache can overlap.

Both migraine and sinus headache often worsen when you lean forward. Migraines can also be accompanied by a variety of nasal symptoms – including congestion, pressure on the face, and clear, watery nasal discharge. This is due to the involvement of the autonomic nervous system in the migraine attack. In fact, studies have shown that around 90% of people who see their doctor for sinus pain have migraines instead.

However, sinus headache is not usually associated with nausea or vomiting, nor is it aggravated by noise or bright light – all the hallmarks of a migraine.

Sinus headaches usually occur after a viral upper respiratory tract infection or the common cold, and include thick, discolored nasal mucus, a weakened sense of smell, and pain in one cheek or upper teeth. Headaches from sinus disease often last for days or more, and migraines most often last from hours to a day or two.

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Sinus headache – diagnosis

It is important to diagnose the cause of your headache. Many patients who believe they have sinus headache may have migraine or tension headache instead.

Your healthcare professional will likely begin by compiling your symptom history to help make a diagnosis. Factors contributing to the development of sinusitis and headache may include a recent cold or upper respiratory infection, smoking history, environmental allergies to dust or molds, as well as recent air travel, swimming or diving, or other activities related to changes in sinus air pressure .

A physical examination may reveal a sensitivity to tapping or tapping on the affected sinus that corresponds to pain. Examination of the ears may reveal otitis media or fluid levels behind the eardrum in the middle ear, which may suggest problems with sinus drainage. Nasal examination may reveal swelling of the nasal passages and discharge. Assessing the mouth and teeth can find the source of the infection, and the back of the throat can be examined for signs of nasal drainage.

Routine facial x-rays are not recommended for the diagnosis of sinusitis or sinus infections. If your doctor is considering performing sinus imaging tests, it is to confirm the diagnosis and look for fluid build-up or thickening of the mucosa lining the sinus walls. Limited computed tomography (CT) of the sinuses is often recommended. Occasionally, a simple sinus X-ray may be considered. Blood tests are not helpful in diagnosing the cause of the sinus headache.

Sinus headache – treatment

Typically, sinus headache can be treated in two ways. First, sinusitis is treated to help them drain. After the sinuses are empty and the pressure is released, the pain should stop. Then you try to relieve the headache and other signs and symptoms.

Home remedies for sinus headache

If the sinus headache is not causing too much pain, a person may be able to manage it at home. The patient should rest, drink plenty of fluids and take painkillers. In addition, there are several methods of managing sinus headache at home:

Breathing steam for sinus headache

Breathing in the steam can help open your nasal passages and sinuses, which in turn can help relieve pressure and pain. To use this method:

1. boil a little water and let it cool down a little;
2. pour water into a large heat-resistant bowl;
3. bend your face over the bowl;
4. cover your head with a small towel so that it covers us together with the bowl;
5. inhale and exhale slowly through your nose.

Cleaning the nose with a salt water solution for sinus headache

Using a salt water solution can help open up your nose. To do this, you need to:

1. boil about half a liter of water and cool it;
2. dissolve in water 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda;
3. wash your hands with soap and water;
4. Pour a small amount of the solution into the folded hand;
5. bring the solution close to the nostrils (one at a time) and breathe;
6. repeat until the nose is clear.

Warm compresses for sinus headache

A warm compress to your face can relieve pain and pressure. To do this, you need to:

1. soak a clean cloth or towel under hot water and wring it out;
2. put it on the bridge of the nose and cheeks;
3. hold the compress for a few minutes;
4. repeat the treatment several times a day.

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Sinus headache – surgery

If your sinus headache continues and repeated courses of treatment do not improve the sinusitis, surgery may be used. Otorhinolaryngologists may be able to widen the openings that allow drainage of the sinuses and reduce the risk of recurrence of inflammation that can obstruct sinus drainage.

Over-the-counter drugs for sinus headache

Cold medications are available to help reduce inflammation in the sinuses and aid in drainage. However, many of them contain pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), a drug related to epinephrine. People with high blood pressure, heart disease, or who are pregnant should check with their doctor or pharmacist to assess their safety before taking these medications.

Some nasal decongestant sprays other than seawater sprays can be used, but only for a short time due to side effects and complications. For example, Afrin and similar nasal sprays should be used for no more than 3 days in a row; otherwise, a rebound effect may occur. In the event of a rebound effect, when spray treatment is stopped, the linings of the nasal passages can swell and potentially cause even more drainage complications.

In the fight against sinus problems, you can also use dietary supplements, eg Na Zatoki – Panaseus dietary supplement available in packages of 50 capsules.

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Prescription drugs for sinus headache

Headaches caused by allergies can be relieved by a steroid nasal spray, unless otherwise contraindicated. Steroids may be helpful along with rinsing the nose with saline to reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and treat or prevent sinusitis.

If a bacterial infection is suspected, a healthcare professional may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and suggest treatment for the inflammation at the same time. For the diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis and the need for antibiotics, the physician should confirm that the symptoms of acute sinusitis have been present for 10 days or are worsening.

Symptoms should include purulent inflammation, nasal congestion, facial pain, or pressure. If the inflammation does not resolve before the antibiotic treatment is complete, the bacterial infection may return.

Sinus headache – prevention

Whether or not we’re taking preventive medications, we can benefit from lifestyle changes that will help reduce the number and severity of headaches. One or more of these suggestions may be helpful for us:

Avoid harmful stimuli. If certain foods or smells seem to have caused headaches in the past, avoid them. Your doctor may recommend that you reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake, and avoid smoking (smoking reduces the sinuses’ ability to clear mucus and fluids). Overall, it’s a good idea to establish a daily plan of the day with regularly measured sleep periods and regular meals. In addition, let’s try to control stress. It is also worth adding that maintaining adequate hydration and breathing in humid air at home and at work will facilitate the drainage of normal mucus produced in the sinuses.

In addition, it is better to avoid colds and other respiratory infections as this can reduce the risk of sinusitis. It is also recommended to fly if you have a cold, sinus infection, or upper respiratory infection due to pressure changes on the face that occur during flight.

Exercise regularly. Regular aerobic exercise relieves tension and can help prevent headaches. If the doctor agrees, choose any aerobic exercise, including walking, swimming and cycling. However, warm up slowly as sudden, intense exercise can cause headaches. Obesity is also believed to be a trigger for headaches, and regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight or lose weight.

Reduce the effect of estrogen. If you’re a woman who has headaches and estrogen seems to trigger or worsen the headaches, you may want to avoid or reduce the intake of medications that contain estrogen. These medications include birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. Talk to your doctor about suitable alternatives or dosages for you.

Sinus headache – complications

Complications of sinus infections (sinusitis) are rare; however, an untreated sinus infection can erode the bony walls of the sinus and infect adjacent structures on the face. Two potential areas of infection spread include:

1. eye socket – causing pain, swelling and redness in the eyelid and the skin surrounding the eye socket. Pain may appear with every eye movement. Vision impairment may also develop.
2. the brain – causing symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis.
3. blood vessels near the sinuses – these can become inflamed and can follow blood clots. Cavernous sinus thrombosis is an inflammation and clotting of the cavernous sinus (a collection of small veins close to the sphenoid sinus) that can potentially become infected and form blood clots.

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