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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.
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:
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:
Symptoms of a sinus headache are very much the same, except a migraine also leads to a number of additional symptoms, such as:
Symptoms that sinusitis allergy headaches and migraines share usually include:
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:
Other at-home measures that help include:
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:
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:
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 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. Don’t 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.