Under The Weather: the Accompanying Symptoms of a Sinus Headache

Extreme fatigue, a burning fever, an irritating cough, a runny nose, a sore throat -
these symptoms frequently indicate that you are getting sick. If you are experiencing these symptoms in addition to a headache, you may have sinusitis.

However, many people misdiagnose themselves with sinusitis when in fact they simply have a migraine or tension headache. Thus, it is important to know the accompanying symptoms of a sinus headache and what to do in order to treat them.

What is a Sinus Headache?

Sinus headaches, which usually occur first thing in the morning, cause you to experience fullness, pain, and pressure in your brow, cheeks, or forehead. Many times, sinus headaches worsen if you lie down or lean forward. If a sinus headache becomes a never-ceasing, dull ache, then it has most likely become chronic.

Frequently, sinus headaches are confused with migraines and tension headaches. This is because the symptoms of a sinus headache and the symptoms of both migraines and tension headaches are often similar or the same. Like sinus headaches, migraines are often worsened when you lean forward or lie down.

The symptoms of a migraine are also very similar to the symptoms of a sinus headache -
that is, it is common for people to experience nasal congestion and discharge as well as facial pressure in both cases. One way to distinguish a migraine from a sinus headache is that migraines are more likely than sinus headaches to be accompanied by nausea, worsened by bright light or noise, and feel throbbing or pounding.

How Likely am I to Develop the Symptoms of a Sinus Headache?

There are several risk factors which make it more likely for one to experience the accompanying symptoms of a sinus headache. For example, people with asthma, allergies, or a weak immune system are more likely than others to develop chronic sinusitis and experience the symptoms of a sinus headache.

Treatment of a Sinus Headache

It is important to seek treatment for a sinus headache if they grow extremely severe. Also, if you experience the following symptoms of a sinus headache, it is best to consult your doctor as soon as possible: a fever higher than 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit, a stiff neck, confusion, and pain or swelling around the face and eyes.
Although the doctor may have difficulty at first diagnosing sinusitis, he or she will be able to distinguish sinusitis. This is based on your description of your symptoms and on their examination of your sinuses.

If you do, in fact, have sinusitis, the only way to treat the disease is through the use of antibiotics. Sometimes, if the root of the problem can be traced back to a structural problem in your nose, your doctor may recommend correctional surgery.

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