Sinus Headache Expert in Perumbakkam
Your Trusted Partner in Sinus Headache
Sinus headaches are headaches that may feel like an infection in the sinuses (sinusitis).We are here to provide you with top-notch care and guidance to tackle your problems.
Understanding Sinus Headache
Causes of Sinus Headache
Sinus headaches are usually associated with migraines or other forms of headaches.
Sinus headaches are associated with pain and pressure in the face and sinuses and can cause nasal symptoms. Most of these headaches are not caused by sinus infections and generally should not be treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms of Sinus Headache:
- Pain, pressure and fullness in the cheeks
- Brow or forehead
- Worsening pain if you bend forward or lie down
- Stuffy nose
- Fatigue
- Achy feeling in the upper teeth
Risk factors
Sinus headaches can affect anyone but may be more likely if you have:
- A previous history of migraines or headaches
- A family history of migraines or headaches
- Hormonal changes associated with headaches
Prevention
Whether or not you take preventive medications, you may benefit from lifestyle changes that can help reduce the number and severity of headaches. One or more of these suggestions may be helpful for you:
- Avoid triggers: If certain foods or odors seem to have triggered your headaches in the past, avoid them. Your provider may recommend you reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake and avoid tobacco.
In general, establish a daily routine with regular sleep patterns and regular meals. In addition, try to control stress.
- Exercise regularly: Regular aerobic exercise reduces tension and can help prevent headaches. If your provider agrees, choose any aerobic exercise you enjoy, including walking, swimming and cycling.
Warm up slowly, however, because sudden, intense exercise can cause headaches.
Obesity is also thought to be a factor in headaches, and regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight or lose weight.
- Reduce the effects of estrogen: If estrogen seems to trigger or make your headaches worse, you may want to avoid or reduce the medications you take that contain estrogen.
These medications include birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. Talk with your provider about the appropriate alternatives or dosages for you.
Diagnosis
The cause of headaches can be difficult to determine. The provider will question you about your headaches and do a physical exam.
Your provider may perform imaging tests to help determine the cause of your headache, including:
- CT scan: CT scans use a computer to create cross-sectional images of the brain and head (including the sinuses) by combining images from an X-ray unit that rotates around the body.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): With Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a magnetic field and radio waves are used to create cross-sectional images of the structures within the brain.
Treatments
Triptans: Many people with migraine attacks use triptans to relieve pain. Triptans work by blocking pain pathways in the brain, but promote constriction of blood vessels and should be avoided if you have a history of heart disease or stroke.
Medications include sumatriptan (Imitrex, Tosymra, others), rizatriptan (Maxalt), almotriptan, naratriptan (Amerge), zolmitriptan (Zomig), frovatriptan (Frova) and eletriptan (Relpax). Triptans are available as tablets, nasal sprays and injections.
A single-tablet combination of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium (Treximet) has proved to be more effective in relieving migraine symptoms than either medication on its own.
Ergots: Ergotamine and caffeine combination drugs (Migergot) are less effective than triptans. Ergots seem to be most effective in those whose pain lasts for more than 72 hours.
Ergotamine may cause worsened nausea and vomiting related to your migraines and other side effects, and it may also lead to medication overuse headaches.
Dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal) is an ergot derivative that is more effective and has fewer side effects than ergotamine. It’s available as a nasal spray and in injection form. This medication may cause fewer side effects than ergotamine and is less likely to lead to medication-overuse headaches.
Ergots, including dihydroergotamine, promote constriction of blood vessels and should be avoided if you have a history of heart disease or stroke.
Lasmiditan (Reyvow): This newer oral tablet is approved for the treatment of migraine with or without aura. It blocks pain pathways, similar to a triptan medication, but it does not appear to constrict blood vessels.
CGRP antagonists: Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) and rimegepant (Nurtec ODT) are oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists approved for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults.
CGRP monoclonal antibodies: Erenumab-aooe (Aimovig), fremanezumab-vfrm (Ajovy), galcanezumab-gnlm (Emgality) and eptinezumab-jjmr (Vyepti) are newer drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat migraines. They’re given monthly or quarterly by injection.
Anti-nausea medications: Because migraines are often accompanied by nausea, with or without vomiting, medication for nausea is appropriate and is usually combined with other medications. Frequently prescribed medications include chlorpromazine, metoclopramide (Reglan, Gimoti) and prochlorperazine (Compro, Procomp).
Frequently Asked Question on Sinus Headache
A sinus headache refers to pain and pressure felt in the sinus cavities, usually around the forehead, cheeks, and eyes. It’s often due to inflammation or congestion in the sinuses.
Yes, allergies that cause inflammation and congestion in the sinuses can lead to sinus headaches.
Yes, weather changes, especially changes in barometric pressure, can trigger sinus headaches in some individuals.
Treatment options include over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants, nasal corticosteroids, saline nasal irrigation, and addressing the underlying cause if it’s related to allergies or sinusitis.
Yes, applying warm compresses, staying hydrated, inhaling steam, using saline nasal sprays, and resting in a humidified room can provide relief.
Some preventive measures include avoiding allergens, staying hydrated, using air humidifiers, and managing underlying sinus conditions.