Sinuses are small air-filled pockets that can be found in your forehead, behind the nose’s bridge, and the cheekbones. Because of many medical conditions such as allergies, cold, or flu, the sinuses get inflamed which results in its swelling.
Moreover, the high production of mucus and the blockage of channels contribute to this uncomfortable feeling. All of this leads to a pressure build-up which causes a sinus headache, but there isn’t any need to worry as there are many sinus headache relief remedies.
Sinus Headache Causes
A sinus headache is the reaction of our bodies to the allergies or to any virus that causes inflammation of the nasal passages, better known as sinusitis.
The congestion caused by the inflammation leads to pressure in various facial features, but with a few sinus headache relief treatments, a headache can be resolved.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a sinus headache vary but the most common ones(1) include:
- Fever
- Discharge of excessive mucus from the nose.
- Tenderness to the touch (on the face)
- Intense pain from lying or bending forward
- A sore throat
These symptoms are followed by other indications that are usually associated with fever and can be unbearable, but you can easily cure it through sinus headache relief treatments.
Getting Medical Attention
There are many ways of achieving sinus headache relief, with the majority of them being extremely effective. Although you will find different ways in this article, it is preferable that the person suffering from acute sinus headaches consults a doctor before starting any treatment mentioned in this article.
All of the remedies given here act exceptionally well as sinus headache relievers, but nothing can beat the medical advice and the examination conducted by a doctor.
Natural Ways to Get Relief
Here are some of the questions that people ask about sinus headaches:
1. How do you get rid of one?
- Breathe in moist air. Use a steam vaporizer or cool-mist humidifier to reduce sinus inflammation
- Use compresses. Alternating between applying hot and cold compresses
- Stay hydrated
- Use a saline nasal spray
- Use a neti pot.
2. What does a sinus headache feel like?
Sinus headaches caused by a sinus infection often include symptoms such as thick discolored nasal discharge, decreased sense of smell, pain over your upper teeth, sinus pressure, and fever. Another symptom is pain that gets worse in damp, cold weather.
3. How do you get rid of sinus pressure?
- Use a humidifier or vaporizer.
- Take long showers or breathe in steam from a pot of warm (but not too hot) water.
- Drink lots of fluids
- Use a nasal saline spray.
- Try a Neti pot, nasal irrigator, or bulb syringe.
- Place a warm, wet towel on your face.
- Prop yourself up
4. How do you relieve pressure in your head?
You can alternate warm and cold compresses to relieve sinus pain and sinus pressure.
Here’s how to do it: Start by placing a hot towel or washcloth across your sinuses for about three minutes.
5. Can you have a sinus headache without being congested?
This can lead to an even worse infection and produce intense sinus pressure and pain. A sinus headache rarely occurs without other signs of congestion.
When a headache is your only symptom, it’s probably not related to your sinuses. Sinus pain is located in the sinus areas around your eyes, cheeks, and forehead
6. Is it a sinus headache or a migraine?
A self-diagnosed sinus headache is nearly always a migraine (90% of the time). A migraine is commonly associated with forehead and facial pressure over the sinuses, nasal congestion and runny nose. In the absence of fever, pus from your nose, alteration in smell or foul-smelling breath, you most likely have a migraine headache.
Ending up with a sinus headache is never a pleasant feeling because it contributes to a stuffy and uncomfortable sensation that could last for weeks. While many people may turn towards over-the-counter medication, there are a few who will seek natural ways to achieve sinus headache relief.
Natural Ways to Get Relief Tips
Breathing Moist Air: Surrounding yourself with warm and moist air acts as an effective sinus headache relief method. Humidifying the dry environment with the help of vaporizers and steamers or breathing steam from the basin of hot water or a hot shower are effectual.
Cold and Hot Compresses: What makes hot and cold compresses a powerful sinus headache relief program is the fact that warmth and moisture from the warm cloth help in reducing the swelling of the nasal passage. Simply alternate the compresses for 30 seconds and repeat this process 4-6 times per day.
Utilization of Neti Pots: Neti pots are incorporated to clean the blocked passage with the help of nasal rinse or irrigation solution. Its utilization as a sinus headache relief is extremely beneficial because the solution washes away the pollen or dirt and reduces the inflammation of the mucus membranes.
Relief with Medicines
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications don’t require a prescription and can be easily bought from any pharmaceutical store. There are certain OTC medicines that act as a strong sinus headache relief remedy, and in the majority of cases, they are successful in treating it for good!
Many of the OTC medications are also pain relievers, as their primary ingredients include ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen.
Additionally, OTC antihistamines and decongestants can be utilized as a treatment for sinus headache relief. The antihistamines display short-term results and relieve only moderate symptoms. The decongestants are also available in the form of nasal sprays and tablets. They can be used on their own, or they can be combined with antihistamines.
Conclusion
Sinus headaches are a nuisance and can hinder a person in carrying out everyday activities. The affected individuals can use OTC medicines, but they can also try out natural remedies as an effective treatment for their sinus headache.
Around 90% of the people with migraine problems think all along that their headaches are sinus headaches due to similar symptoms. So instead of self-diagnosing the symptoms and conditions, it is better to pay a medical practitioner a visit. If diagnosed, you can try the mentioned remedies and see the results for yourself. For more headache pain relief, visit our home page.
There are many forms of headaches, as mentioned here, including a sinus headache. But when your problem seems to effect your eyes and you are having eye pain it is time for a brief review of ocular migraine treatments.
Understanding sinus pain and how to treat it is also an important read for anyone suffering from sinus headaches.
Article reference:
(1) http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sinus-headaches/basics/symptoms/con-20025426
