Chronic sinus headaches are not as much painful as the acute sinus headache. They do cause discomfort for sure but not much when compared to acute ones.

Often the stuffy nose is treated as common cold and we take the medications which can treat common cold. But during this the stuffy nose gets ignored which may result in chronic sinus headache.

The sinuses get clogged resulting in increase in the growth of bacteria in the nasal passages. This increase production of bacteria in the sinuses results in sinus infection. This sinus infection in turn results in sinus headache.

Chronic sinus headache and acute sinus headache both are treated by giving antibiotics.

Chronic sinus headaches are often misjudged as migraine headache. This is because of almost the same location of pain in both the kind of headaches.

Sometimes the chronic sinus headache is also misjudged as tension headache. This is because of the same nature of the pain which may usually occur around forehead and temple.

Chronic sinus headaches are a serious condition and it should be treated properly without any negligence.

CHRONIC SINUS HEADACHE SYMPTOMS

• Chronic nasal discharge
• Bad odor in breadth
• Sore throat
• Headache especially in the early morning hours
• Pressure around eyes
• Cough during nights hours while sleeping
• Accidental injury in the sinus area

CHRONIC SINUS HEADACHE TREATMENT

In order to treat the chronic sinus headache first of all it is better to find out the cause of the headache.

It is possible that chronic sinus headache can be because of certain things which are around us and are related to our daily life but we are unable to notice it. For example you might be eating something which you are allergic and you never know this may be the reason for the chronic sinus headache you are suffering from.

Find out these allergens and try to avoid them as much as you can so that you may get relief from chronic sinus headache.

You can also place air humidifiers in order to get rid of the allergens like pet dander, etc if you are allergic to those.

Your doctor may also prescribe analgesics if you are suffering from severe pain.

Recently a study conducted on 30 chronic sinus headache patients shown that most of them almost 95% are suffering from chronic tension headache and are also facing symptoms of migraine headache.

Actually there is no such term called chronic sinus headache but there is chronic sinusitis which is caused because of the blockage of the sinus opening which rarely causes headache so commonly called as chronic sinus headache.

If the sinusitis remains for 12 consecutive weeks then it is judged as chronic sinusitis otherwise for less than 12 weeks it is acute sinusitis

So here it is
Chronic sinus infection causes chronic sinusitis resulting in headache commonly called chronic sinus headache.

PARANASAL SINUSES

Paranasal sinuses are air filled cavities which are located behind the nose at the base of the forehead and below the eye sockets.

The paranasal sinuses are of four types:

• Frontal
• Ethmoidal
• Maxillary
• Sphenoidal

Infection to any of these areas will cause localized pain.

SINUS HEADACHE CAUSES

The inflammation to the sinuses is called sinusitis.

There are various causes of sinus infection. They are:

• Allergic sinusitis
• Infective sinusitis
• Chronic sinusitis
• Acute sinusitis

Note: Allergy alone will not cause sinus headache however allergy is one of the reasons for causing sinusitis

Usually there will be marked tenderness over the sinuses in the forehead or below the eye socket. Post nasal drip (mucous collection in the throat when lying on the back) commonly accompanies this problem.

Sinusitis has to be treated well. In case if not treated properly the infection may escalate and may cause infection in the brain and it’s covering membranes which may lead to a serious condition called meningitis.

In acute infection of the sinuses the frontal sinuses refer pain to the forehead, the ethmoids and maxillary sinuses to the overlying areas, and the sphenoid to the top of the head.

Sinus headache may occur at any time of the day but more frequently when the person wake up in the morning.

SINUS HEADACHE SYMPTOMS

Sinus headache symptoms are as follows:

• Post nasal drip
• Nasal congestion
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Thick mucus
• Headache soon after cold

These symptoms are very much useful to differentiate sinus headache from migraine headache. In most of the cases sinus headache may not actually be a sinus headache. It may be migraine. So it is important to diagnose the cause of the headache properly.

SINUS HEADACHE DIAGNOSIS

Sinus headache diagnosis is done by a doctor. The doctor examines the patient physically and checks for pain around the bridge of the nose radiating into the forehead.

Sinusitis can be confirmed by undergoing:

• X-ray
• Computed Tomography (CT –SCAN)
• Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI-SCAN)

If the doctor found any swelling or inflammation in the sinuses then sinus headache is almost confirmed.

WHO ARE AT RISK OF SINUS HEADACHES?

• Asthmatics
• Injury to the nasal bones
• Cold
• Poor immune system
• Dust allergy
• Lot of Swimming

SINUS HEADACHE TREATMENT-

Sinus headache treatment can be done by antibiotics.

Sinus headache pain can be relieved by taking analgesics like aspirin, acetaminophen.

If there is allergy then nasal decongestants and antihistamines are prescribed by doctor.

Sinus headache relief can be obtained by placing hot and cold towel on the affected area if the patient needs immediate relief.

The main aim remains to clear the sinuses which may occasionally involve surgical draining if there is any structural problem in the nasal cavity which is causing sinus headaches.

SINUS HEADACHE PREVENTION

• Avoid smoking cigarettes
• Stay away from air pollutants like dust, gases, fumes
• Eat healthy, stay healthy so that your immune system remains good
• Drinking lot of water

Everybody knows prevention is better than cure. So if you follow the above advice then you can prevent sinus headaches.