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Sinus Headaches: Causes, Symptoms and What to Do

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A sinus headache is one of the most annoying sinus problems anyone can have. A frequently recurring sinus hadache should be properly addressed for potentiall early detection of serious sinus cavity disease. First of all let's find out:

What causes sinus headaches?

• Sinusitis--a swelling of the sinus cavity membranes--also called sinus infection, which is due to things like:
  • colds
  • bacterial or viral infections
  • nasal cavity structural mal-formations
  • weaken immune system
  • allergies
• Sinus pressure

What are the symptoms that can accompany a sinus headache?

• Yellow-green, nasal mucus
• Coughing
• Pressure or pain in:
  • sinus cavities areas in your face
  • when your head is down
  • especially when lying down
• Fatigue
• Sore throat

How to distinguish between a migraine and sinus headache
Most "sinus headaches," some authorities believe, are in fact migraines. Because some of the symptoms are identical. For example, the headache gets worse when the head is down, there is nasal discharge--clear, watery mucus in the case of migraines. On the other hand, a true sinus headache is not associated with vomiting and nausea or made worse by bright lights or noise as migraines are.

Chronic sinusitis and sinus headaches
Unless sinusitis is dealt with effectively it can develop into a chronic condition if one:

• Has a poor immune system
• Is a smoker or otherwise exposed to the smoke
• Has environmental allergies
• Has asthma
• Allows mucus to stagnate
• Has any condition which does not allow mucus to move properly in the breathing organs

Knowing the meaning of the color of mucus can be helpful in nipping a sinus disorder in the bud

What I would do to treat the symptoms
The items outlined here will only lessen the discomforts. Three Steps to Sinus and Mucus Relief-explains how to go to the probable causes of the headache, treat them and be cured. To treat symptoms I would ascertain, first of all, that it is truly a sinus headache. If it is I would:

• Keep the sinuses clear
• Do sinus pressure points (acupressure) click
• Consult my pharmacist for some new OTC product for sinus headache
• Try steam inhalation or a sinus rinse
  • neti pot is a favorite of many or
  • inhale the steam from water boiling in a pan
  • steam temperature should not paralize the cilia
• Abstain from eating mucus producing foods, for details click
• Drink as much water as I can
• Observe the color of any mucus discharge, especially
  • pink
  • yellow
  • green
• Try to relax as much as possible
• Drink warm herbal teas
  • thyme is believed to be a decongestant
  • avoid caffeine
• If the above does not work in ten days I go see a doctor

When should I see a doctor?

• Whenever OTC medications do not take away the headache within a week, or
• If the fever is more than 100.5 F (38 C

In treating health issues there is nothing like good common sense. It's better to prevent than to cure a health condition. It's better to see a doctor early than too late.