Many people experience headaches, but if your headache feels like pressure and heaviness behind your forehead, eyes, or cheeks, you may have a sinus headache. Sinuses are spaces between the bones of the skull that function to filter and humidify air. The skull has four pairs of sinuses that can become inflamed or blocked, resulting in sinus headaches. If the source of your headache is pressure in the sinuses and not a migraine, you can reduce the inflammation and relieve it with home remedies, over-the-counter medications, or the help of a medical professional.
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Method 1 of 4: Using Home Treatments
Step 1. Breathe in the moist air
Use a vaporizer or humidifier to reduce inflammation in the sinuses. You can also create moist air by filling a bucket of hot water, leaning over it (don't get too close), and covering your head with a towel. Breathe in this hot steam. Alternatively, take a bath under a hot shower and breathe in the steam. Try sucking in moist air two to four times a day at 10 to 20 minute intervals.
The humidity level in the house should be around 45%. Below 30% means your air is too dry, and above 50% it is too humid. Use a hygrometer to measure the humidity level
Step 2. Use a compress
Alternate between hot and cold compresses. Place a hot compress over the sinuses for three minutes, then a cold compress for 30 seconds. You can repeat this procedure three times, for 2-6 sessions daily.
You can also splash hot or cold water on a towel, stretch it out, then place it on your face as a compress
Step 3. Stay hydrated
Make sure you drink plenty of fluids to clear the mucus in your sinuses. This will make it easier to absorb, as well as help with general hydration. Based on studies, men should try to drink 13 glasses of water every day, while women around 9.
Some people find hot liquids helpful. Enjoy hot tea or drink broth to thin the mucus
Step 4. Use a saline nasal spray
Follow the directions on the package and use it up to 6 times a day. Nasal saline sprays can help maintain the health of the cilia in the nose, thereby reducing inflammation and treating sinus problems. This spray also softens the nasal passages to get rid of dry secretions, which is useful for loosening mucus. Nasal sprays can also help with dust, which can cause allergies and sinus headaches.
You can also make your own mixture using 2-3 teaspoons of kosher salt and 1 cup of sterile/boiled distilled water. Mix and add a teaspoon of baking soda. Use a syringe or dropper to insert it into the nostril up to six times a day
Step 5. Use a neti pot
Make a saline mixture and put it in a neti pot. Stand over the sink and tilt your head forward. While doing this, tilt your head to one side and pour the mixture directly into one nostril. Be careful and direct the flow of liquid to the back of the head. This fluid will enter the nostrils and back of the throat. Gently blow your nose and spit out the liquid. Repeat the same steps on the other nostril. Neti pots can reduce sinus inflammation and help clear mucus. The neti pot also clears the sinuses of substances that cause irritation and allergies.
Water used in neti pots must be sterilized by boiling or distillation
Method 2 of 4: Using Drugs
Step 1. Take an antihistamine
These drugs block histamine, which is a fluid that the body produces in response to allergens. Histamine is responsible for causing the symptoms of rhinitis (sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny/itchy nose). Some types of antihistamines can be purchased over the counter and taken once a day. Second-generation antihistamines, such as loratadine, fexofenadine, and cetirizine are all designed to minimize dizziness, which is common with first-generation antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine).
If your sinus headaches are caused by seasonal allergies, try taking an intranasal corticosteroid. These over-the-counter medications are the most effective for dealing with allergies. Use a fluticasone or triamcinolone spray daily, once or twice in each nostril
Step 2. Use a nasal decongestant
Take these medications topically (eg, sprays such as oxymetazoline) or orally (eg pseudoephedrine) to relieve nasal congestion. Topical decongestants can be used every 12 hours, but not for more than three to five days, or you may develop nasal obstruction from overuse. Oral decongestants can be taken once or twice a day. You can also combine it with antihistamines such as loratadine, fexofenadine, and cetirizine.
Due to its high methamphetamine content, pseudoephedrine in combination with antihistamines is tightly regulated and stored behind various pharmacies to prevent stockpiling by the manufacturers
Step 3. Take pain medication
You can take aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen for short-term relief of sinus headaches. Although these drugs can not treat the cause, at least the headache will decrease or disappear.
Make sure you take it according to the directions on the package or as advised by your doctor
Step 4. Take prescription medications
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial infections that can accompany sinus headaches. Symptoms of a bacterial sinus infection include sore throat, yellow or green discharge from the nose, nasal obstruction, fever, and fatigue. Acute bacterial sinusitis is treated with antibiotics for 10 to 14 days, while chronic ones require three to four weeks of antibiotic treatment.
Doctors can also prescribe triptans, which are medications to treat migraines. Research shows that most patients with sinus headaches get significant improvement when taking triptans. Examples of triptans include sumatriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan, almotriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, and eletriptan
Step 5. Consider requesting an allergy shot (immunotherapy)
Your doctor may recommend it if regular medications don't work, have side effects, or you can't avoid allergies. Usually, the injection will be done by an allergist.
Step 6. Learn about surgical options
See an ENT doctor to determine if you need surgery to prevent sinus headaches. Polyps in the nostrils that may be causing a sinus infection can be surgically removed. Your sinuses may also be opened.
For example, balloon rhinoplasty. This surgery inserts a balloon into the nostril and blows it up to enlarge the sinus space
Method 3 of 4: Using Alternative Therapies
Step 1. Take dietary supplements
Research is underway to demonstrate the effect of dietary supplements on sinus headaches. The following supplements may help prevent or treat it:
- Bromelain – an enzyme produced by pineapple, may help reduce inflammation in the sinuses. Do not take bromelain at the same time as blood-thinning medications because these supplements increase the risk of bleeding. Also avoid bromelain if you are taking an ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor, which is a medication to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). In this case, bromelain can increase the chances of a drastic drop in blood pressure (hypotension).
- Quercetin is a plant pigment that is responsible for producing the bright colors in fruits and vegetables. Quercetin works as a natural antihistamine, although more studies are needed on its effects in humans.
- Lactobacillus is a probiotic bacteria that the body needs for a healthy digestive system and effective immunity. This supplement reduces the chance of developing allergies as well as gastrointestinal side effects, such as diarrhea, upset stomach, and excess gas associated with taking antibiotics.
Step 2. Try herbal remedies
There are many herbs that can reduce the chance of sinus headaches. These herbs work by preventing or treating colds, boost immunity, or reduce sinus inflammation. Studies show that Sinupet can reduce symptoms of sinus inflammation. Sinupret is believed to thin the mucus so that the sinuses dry out more easily. Other herbs commonly used to treat sinus headaches include:
- Skullcap from China. Make the tea by pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of dried skullcap leaves. Cover and stir the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink two to three cups a day for sinus relief.
- Feverfew. Make the tea by pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 2-3 teaspoons of freshly chopped feverfew leaves. Stir for 15 minutes, squeeze, and drink up to three times a day.
- Willow bark. Make the tea by combining a teaspoon of chopped/powdered willow skin with 200-300 ml of water. Bring this mixture to a boil and stir for five minutes. Drink three to four times a day.
Step 3. Apply essential oils on the forehead
Studies show that certain types of essential oil applied to the forehead (next to the eyes on the side of the face) can relieve sinus headaches and tension headaches. Make a mixture of peppermint or eucalyptus oil 10% in rubbing alcohol and apply to the forehead using a sponge. To make this mixture, try mixing three teaspoons of rubbing alcohol with one teaspoon of peppermint or eucalyptus oil.
According to research, this mixture can soothe muscles and reduce sensitivity to sinus headaches
Step 4. Consider homeopathy
Homeopathy is a belief system and alternative therapy that uses small amounts of natural ingredients to trigger the body to heal itself. Chronic sinus sufferers usually use homeopathic remedies. Several studies have shown that the majority of sinus patients experience a reduction in symptoms after two weeks. Homeopathy has a variety of treatments for blockages and headaches in the sinus area, including:
Arsenic album, Belladonna, hepar sulphuricum, iris versicolor, kali bichromicum, mercurius, natrum muriaticum, pulsatilla, silicea, and spigelia
Step 5. Try acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine that uses thin needles on specific pressure points. These points are believed to correct the body's energy imbalance. To treat sinus headaches, the acupuncturist will strengthen the points along the spleen and stomach.
Avoid acupuncture if you are pregnant, have bleeding, or use a pacemaker
Step 6. Visit a chiropractor
It may be able to help relieve sinus headaches by adjusting and manipulating body composition errors, although there are no trials to support this claim. To treat sinus problems, the chiropractor will target the bones and mucous membranes around the sinus openings.
Manipulation will adjust the joints of the body to correct structural errors that stimulate the nervous system. This method may be able to restore the function of the diseased areas of the body
Method 4 of 4: Studying Sinus Headaches
Step 1. Distinguish sinus headaches from migraines
According to several studies, most people who experience sinus headaches also suffer from undiagnosed migraines. Fortunately, there are several symptoms that can help differentiate sinus headaches from migraines. As an example:
- Migraines usually get worse under exposure to bright light or noise
- Migraine is also accompanied by nausea and vomiting
- Migraine pain can be felt anywhere in the head and neck area
- Migraines don't cause thick mucus or loss of smell
Step 2. Identify the symptoms and causes
The main cause of sinus headaches is inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the sinus area. This inflammation prevents the sinuses from blowing their nose, which creates pressure and causes pain. Inflammation of the sinuses can be caused by various infections, allergies, infections of the upper teeth, or, rarely, tumors (whether benign or not). The symptoms include:
- Pressure and stiffness behind the forehead, cheeks, or around the eyes
- Pain that gets worse when lowering the body
- Upper tooth pain
- More severe pain in the morning
- The pain ranges from mild to severe and can be unilateral (only on one side) or bilateral (on both sides of the head)
Step 3. Look for risk factors in yourself
Several factors can make you more prone to sinus headaches. These factors may include:
- History of allergies or asthma
- Prolonged flu, or upper respiratory tract infection
- Ear infection
- Enlarged nostrils or adenoids
- Polyps in the nostrils
- Changes in the shape of the nostrils, such as a tilted septum
- Cracks on the roof of the mouth
- Weakened immunity
- Previous sinus surgery
- Climb or fly high
- Traveling in an airplane while suffering from an upper respiratory infection
- Abscess or infection in the tooth
- Regular swimming or diving sessions
Step 4. Know when to ask for medical help
If your headaches occur for more than 15 days a month, or you frequently use over-the-counter pain relievers, see your doctor. Also consider seeing him if painkillers don't relieve the headache, or if the headache is interfering with your daily life (for example, you often skip school or work because of headaches). Seek emergency medical help if you have a sinus headache and any of the following symptoms:
- A sudden attack of headache that is severe and persists or increases within a 24 hour period.
- Sudden attacks of headaches that are very severe, even if you are usually dizzy.
- Chronic or severe headaches that occur over the age of 50.
- Fever, neck stiffness, nausea, and vomiting (these symptoms may indicate meningitis, which is a life-threatening bacterial infection).
- Memory loss, confusion, loss of balance, changes in vision or speech, or tingling in the arms/legs (these symptoms may indicate a stroke threat).
- Some cases of headache occur in one eye, accompanied by redness (these symptoms may indicate acute angle glaucoma).
- New or unfamiliar headache patterns.
- If you have recently had a head injury.
Step 5. Request a test
The doctor will take a thorough medical history and perform physical tests to diagnose sinus headaches. He will touch your face looking for any swelling or tenderness. The nose will be examined for inflammation, blockage, or discharge. The doctor may also order imaging studies, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. If your doctor thinks allergies are contributing to your symptoms, you may be referred to an allergist for further evaluation.
Sometimes, you need a referral to an ENT specialist. The ENT doctor will use a fiber optic device to view the sinuses and make a diagnosis
Warning
- Headaches that occur during pregnancy may be caused by sinus headaches, tension headaches, or migraines. However, be aware that headaches can also occur as a result of preeclampsia or cerebral venous thrombosis.
- Older patients are more at risk for secondary headaches, eg trigeminal neuralgia, and temporal arteritis.
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- How to Relieve a Congested Nose
