What are sinus headaches?
Sinus headaches are headaches that may feel like an infection in the sinuses (sinusitis).
You may feel pressure around your eyes, cheeks and forehead. Perhaps your head throbs.
However, many people who assume they have headaches from sinusitis, including many who have received such a diagnosis, actually have migraines.
Signs and symptoms of sinus headaches may include:
- Pain, pressure and fullness in your cheeks, brow or forehead
- Worsening pain if you bend forward or lie down
- Stuffy nose
- Fatigue
- Achy feeling in your upper teeth
Sinusitis or migraine?
Migraines and headaches from sinusitis are easy to confuse because the signs and symptoms of the two types of headaches may overlap. In fact, studies have shown that approximately 90% of people who see a doctor for sinus headaches are found to have migraines instead.
Sinusitis, however, usually isn't associated with nausea or vomiting or aggravated by noise or bright light — all common features of migraines.
Sinusitis usually occurs after a viral upper respiratory infection or cold.
Headaches due to sinus disease often last days or longer, and migraines most commonly last hours to a day or two.
Consult your doctor if:
- Your headache symptoms occur more than 15 days a month or require frequent over-the-counter pain medicine
- You have a severe headache, and over-the-counter pain medicine doesn't help
- You miss school or work because of frequent headaches or the headaches interfere with your daily life
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sinus-headaches/symptoms-
causes/syc-20377580
