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Sinus Headaches Treatment in Brooklyn, NYC & NJ

You may be accustomed to sinus headaches and attribute them to allergies or a cold. But when they continue to happen over and over, you may actually be suffering from migraines or tension headaches that sometimes seem like simple sinus issues that only need at-home sinus headaches treatment. If you do have a sinus infection, that can be just as dangerous as a misdiagnosis, because an infection can wreak havoc throughout your body. Don’t take chances. When your sinuses become bothersome, call Dr. Mark Cohen, a headache expert at Neuron Injury Specialists in NYC.

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    What Is a Sinus Headache?

    A sinus headache refers to pain and discomfort that often accompanies a sinus infection and sinusitis. It’s an uncomfortable condition that can get very painful. Depending on the cause of your headache, symptoms can last anywhere from a couple hours to weeks on end, particularly if you don’t get the best sinus headache treatment.

    Although they can go away by themselves, headaches  should never be ignored. If you have a fever and your symptoms become more acute and persist for more than a few days, consult Dr. Mark Cohen,  a headache specialist at Neuro Injury Specialists  in the New York City and New Jersey areas.

    Sinus Headaches Treatment in Brooklyn, NYC & NJ

    What Are the Common Causes of Sinus Headaches?

    A sinus headache can stem from a couple different sources. The most common causes of congested headache pain are sinusitis and migraines. Since each requires different sinus headache treatment, get a firm diagnosis from a sinus headaches specialist so you can get the most appropriate treatment.

    When a sinus headache is caused by an infection, your immune system has been compromised to some level.

    And while sinus headaches often are caused by allergies, other common risk factors include:

    • Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
    • A virus that led to an infection in your upper respiratory system
    • Nasal polyps and other structural issues
    • Exposure to flu or some pneumonia bacteria

    When a sinus headache is really caused by a migraine, the source of your pain differs greatly and requires a completely different sinus headache treatment.

    Migraines are neurological disorders that are triggered by a plethora of conditions, including allergic reactions and:

    • Certain food
    • Exposure to bright lights
    • Overexertion
    • Stress

    What Are Symptoms of a Sinus Headache?

    Symptoms of a sinus headache are very much the same, except a migraine also leads to a number of additional symptoms, such as:

    • Vomiting
    • Nausea
    • Dizziness
    • Light, sound and noise sensitivity

    Symptoms that sinusitis allergy headaches and migraines share usually include:

    • Excessive mucus discharge
    • Constant facial pressure and pain
    • Congestion in the nasal passage
    • Excessive coughing
    • Fever
    • Fatigue

    What’s the Best Sinus Headaches Treatment?

    Your doctor may recommend that you try over-the-counter (OTC) products and remedies for a day or two to provide you with some relief. If your headache persists and you have a fever, you may need antibiotics.

    Even with a prescription to clear up the infection, OTC products help ease the discomfort and include:

    • Pain medication like acetaminophen
    • Decongestants for swelling
    • Antihistamines and nasal spray
    • Steroid sprays

    Other at-home measures that help include:

    • Applying warm compresses to the painful places on your face
    • Using nasal irrigation products
    • Using a humidifier
    • Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water, hot tea and broth

    Treatments for migraine headaches  vary widely depending on the severity and frequency of your sinus headaches and how much they interfere with your life.

    While avoiding triggers, resting in a dark room and following other at-home remedies for a sinus headache are effective, your headache specialist may also recommend further treatments, such as:

    • Triptans to increase serotonin in your brain
    • Combination of drugs like acetaminophen and caffeine
    • Narcotic pain relievers
    • Ergot derivatives, ideal when taken at the beginning of a migraine
    • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and inflammation
    • Nausea drugs to ease queasiness

    What Happens if I Dont Get Treatment for Sinus Headaches?

    Because the sinus cavities are located close to the eyes and brain, sinus infections should not be ignored.

    When left untreated, infections spread and can cause some serious health issues that may include:

    • Sinus thrombosis causing a blood clot to form in the brain
    • Inflammation of the tear sac
    • Infection in the eye socket
    • Blocked nasal passage
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Low oxygen intake
    • Excessive fatigue
    • Infection of voice box
    • Extreme sore throat
    • Relentless and excessive coughing
    • Permanent loss of smell
    • Infection in the brain
    • Meningitis
    • Spinal cord infection
    • Brain abscess and pus on the brain
    • Subdural abscess from pus on the brain
    • Infection to frontal bones of the skull

    Although some of these health issues can be easily treated, allowing the symptoms to go away, some are dangerous and even lethal. Anytime an infection spreads to the brain and eyes, it’s serious and needs immediate medical attention.

    When Should I See a Doctor for Sinus Headaches Treatment?

    When your headache doesn’t go away or it continues to come back again and again, this could be an indication of something much more serious. Dont take any chances with infections, they spread quickly when not treated. Dr. Cohen may ask that you keep a headache diary as part of his diagnostic process that also includes an array of diagnostic tests.

    Contact the team at Neuro Injury Specialists in New York City and New Jersey. They’re experts at pain management and offer the best sinus headache treatment. They’re also available to diagnose and treat a host of neurological conditions  and injuries.