Understanding The True Sinus Headache

Sinusitis' most often reported symptom is a headache. Many patients who fly regularly experience frequent sinus headaches. Most persist with pain around the left side of the face and around the...

Sinusitis’ most often reported symptom is a headache. Many patients who fly regularly experience frequent sinus headaches. Most persist with pain around the left side of the face and around the sinus areas. Sinus drainage and inflammation can cause pain in the cheeks, around the eyes, and across the bridge of the nose. Most people who complain of sinus trouble often report having headaches too.

The true sinus headache is cause by sinus infection, cold, or nasal allergies. Pain is centralized around the nose and the front forehead. It often is accompanied by a fever, and sinus congestion that worsens if you are bending over or coughing.

Adults have four pairs of sinuses. One pair is found in the front and when these are infected they cause sever pain in the forehead. Another set, called ethmoid sinuses are located deeper in the nose and pain from an infection in these cause pain in the front of the face and between the eyes. Another pair of deep sinus cavities are found even deeper and are called the sphenoid sinuses. Pain from infection in these sinuses is found in the back of the head.

The most common source of infection is found in the maxillary sinuses that are located in the middle part of the face. They are located below the eyes and on either side of the nose. Pain from infection in these sill spread across the face and sometimes affect the upper teeth on the side of the infection. If you have a common cold and feel pain in these areas you should contact your doctor. Acute sinusitis is treated with antibiotics and decongestants.

You may be a patient with chronic sinusitis. If so, you will feel a dull ache around your sinus area or a feeling of fullness that will not go away. It often starts after a person gets up in the morning and begins their daily routine. Once a person gets up, the congestion in the sinuses touch other parts of the nose and sinuses and closes off the normal breathing passage. When the air cannot get through it is absorbed into the sinuses and cannot be replaced because it is blocked. This gives a negative pressure in the sinuses and the outside barometric is higher. This causes pressure and with secretions in the nose is what causes the sinus headache. Usually your doctor will want an x-ray to make the diagnosis of chronic sinusitis.

Other things can cause sinus swelling and a headache. Flying will irritate an existing sinus problem because of the change in atmospheric pressure. The difference in pressures causes the sinuses to swell, which could trigger a headache. Often you may not be experiencing any sinus problems but if you have a respiratory infection, sinus problems can occur while flying.

Scuba divers often report sinus pressure, swelling, and resulting headaches because of the increased pressure felt underwater. Often, a change in the weather pattern will also cause sinus problems because of the atmospheric changes.

Read Also

1. What Is A Sinus Headache - Sinus headaches will accompany sinusitis. Sinusitis is a medical condition in which your sinus membranes become swollen and inflamed. The...
2. So You Are Looking For Information About Headaches - A headache is basically defined as pain in the head located above the eyes or above the ears, behind the...
3. Four Causes Of Serious Headache Pain - There are many causes for headache and migraine pain. Usually they are common problems that nearly every adult will experience....
4. Determining Your Headache Type - Why is it important to know what type of headache you have? When you know what type of headache you...
5. What Causes Your Headaches - Scientists are still not sure what cause or multiple causes may be at the root of your headaches; they thought...