Severe headaches are frequently labeled sinus headaches. But sinus headache symptoms are often characteristic and help identify sinus problems and sinus congestion. As severe and repetitive headaches can occur due to a number of causes, it is important to tell one from another for proper diagnosis and treatment.
So how does one tell if a headache is due to sinus problems? Read on for sinus headache symptoms and to learn how to identify sinus headaches.
Sinus Headache Symptoms
While migraines are typically one-sided and tension headaches can appear like bands that constrict the head, sinus headaches most often give rise to a feeling of heaviness of the head. This sensation characteristically increases upon bending forwards. Sinus headaches often also cause facial pain, like pain over the cheeks and around the eyes.
The other classical features of sinus headaches are nasal symptoms. There may be stuffiness of the nose or a nose block. Some people may also have discharge from the nose, sometimes watery, but more often thick and mucus-like with chronic sinus problems.
When the discharge is yellow and foul-smelling, it usually indicates bacterial infection and may require treatment with antibiotics. Post nasal drip is another feature that may accompany sinus infection. This is when discharge or mucus goes into the throat from the back of the nose. Persistent post nasal drip can also cause a sore throat or irritation in the throat. People with chronic sinus headaches may even have problems with their sense of smell, especially if there is a growth of nasal polyps.
Sinus Headache Symptoms and Sinus Anatomy
Sinuses are air-filled cavities in the bones around the nose. Sinus problems arise when these cavities become blocked and fluid-filled. Read about the location of these sinuses and find out more about sinus anatomy and sinusitis basics.
When the problem is with the maxillary sinuses, pain and swelling may be noticed over the cheeks. It is sometimes also accompanied by toothache on that side. Ethmoid sinus problems are more likely to cause pain around the eyes and the bridge of the nose. Frontal sinus congestion can lead to pain over the forehead and around the eyes.
Sinus Headache Symptoms Warning of Complications
The sinuses lie very close to the eyes and the brain, so very severe infections may occasionally spread to these structures leading to serious complications. The symptoms to watch out for are swelling and congestion of the eyes, deep-seated eye pain and diminishing eyesight. Spread to the brain may cause abscess or meningitis and the signs to beware of are severe headache with vomiting, fever and neck rigidity.
The appearance of any of these symptoms warrant immediate consultation with a doctor. Sinus problems are sometimes caused by fungal infections which have to be treated differently. Read more about fungal sinusitis symptoms and treatment.
Learning about sinus headache symptoms help recognize sinus headaches so that they can be diagnosed and treated correctly.
Sources:
Gleeson, Michael J. "Scott-Brown's Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery" (Oxford University Press; 7 edition, 2008)
Lakshmi Ananth - Lakshmi Ananth is a practising ENT, head and neck surgeon and has faculty position at a medical college. She is specially interested in ...
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