What you need to Know about Sinus Headache Symptoms
You feel the pressure and pain in your head, and you assume that the cause is a sinus headache. But do you know for sure? It is not uncommon for sinus headaches to be mistaken for other types like tension headaches and migraines. And while pain may seem like pain, the best treatment options may vary somewhat for each headache category. If you want to nip that pain and pressure in the bud in the most effective way, you need to know how to identify your sinus headache symptoms so that you can treat them properly. And to understand sinus headache symptoms, you must become familiar with the signs of sinusitis.
What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis is a condition where the membranes of the sinuses become inflamed and swollen, resulting in pain and pressure in the area. Since the cause of the headache is related to the problem with the sinuses, identifying and treating the sinus headache symptoms will include treatment of the sinusitis itself. One of the key sinus headache symptoms to watch for is pain that is centered on the forehead or cheeks, that gets worse when you lie down or bend over.
Other sinus headache symptoms include a green or yellow discharge from the nose that can also indicate an infection that should be treated by your doctor. Other signs may be a fever, cough or a sore throat. You might also feel fatigued, particularly if an infection has developed. Your doctor is the best person to evaluate these types of sinus headache symptoms, to determine whether you might need to take an antibiotic for the infection.
It is also important to call your doctor if you experience symptoms like a fever over 100.5 degrees, a stiff neck or confusion. If you have redness, swelling or pain on your face or around your eyes, this can also be a symptom of a more serious infection or condition, and warrants an appointment with your doctor. For simple sinus headache symptoms like pain and pressure, you can effectively treat the problem at home.
Home Remedies
Over the counter pain medications and decongestants may effectively reduce the pressure and pain of your sinus headache symptoms. Expectorants can effectively thin the mucous in the nasal passages to allow it to drain more efficiently. Saline nasal sprays can also work well in treating sinusitis and sinus headaches. Finally, drink plenty of fluids and get your rest. You will be on the road to better health in no time and your sinus headache symptoms will become a distant memory. Here's to good health.
