When we experience sinus headache pain, it can be very uncomfortable.
To explain a bit more about this ailment, here is a bit more information about the sinuses themselves.
The sinuses are air-filled pockets that create mucus to moisturize our noses, humidify the air for us to breathe, and improve the quality of our voices. They’re located behind the bridge of your nose, into the cheeks bones, and up into the forehead.
We often confuse uncomfortable infections with migraines because the sinus headache pain sensation and location of the discomfort is similar. Importantly, understanding the various causes can be vital, as this can help you choose the right treatment that will make you feel better.
Causes of Sinus Headache Pain
This pain is caused by allergy-induced inflammation, or an infection. When bacteria, fungi, or a virus enter the sinus cavities, white blood cells flood to the area to start healing the body. This process causes swelling and inflammation of the area.
People might get concerned about the presence of inflammation in the body, but it’s really nothing to worry about. Inflammation is actually a sign that the immune system is working to alleviate the infection.
However, the swelling can result in pressure and pain in the face, in part because the channels that normally drain mucus become blocked. Sufferers may also feel like their ears are blocked, and they might also have a runny nose. The most common symptom associated with this kind of infection is a fever.
Since fevers can be dangerous if they remain high and are left untreated for too long, it is critical that you treat the fever as soon as possible.
Allergies
Contrarily, sinus headache pain caused by allergies is sometimes hard to prevent if it’s a hereditary condition that you are faced with every year.
When something you’re allergic to (pet dander, pollen, mold, etc.) enters your nasal cavities, your sinuses will swell in the hope of flushing out the allergen. You can feel the same pressure and pain as with a sinus infection, however there are key differences that signify you have allergies and not an infection.
Usually, with allergies, your symptoms will only appear when you are around an allergen. When you remove that trigger, the runny nose, swollen sinuses, and face pressure should also leave. Additionally, allergies are not accompanied by a fever, pain in your teeth, or unusually bad breath- but these kinds of infections are.
Therefore, allergies might cause the same kind of pain that you might experience with an infection, but their causes are not the same.
Prevention
The best ways to prevent sinus headache pain from allergies are to avoid triggers, and to take medication. You can choose to either take over-the-counter (OTC) medication or you can choose to go with an option that has been prescribed by your doctor.
In very rare cases, surgery may be required to remove the polyps that grow in the nasal cavity lining. These polyps can grow too large when your sinuses are constantly swollen from infection or allergies.
However, this is really a last resort to correct this kind of pain. Ideally, to prevent any kind of surgery, always begin treating your symptoms the moment you know the cause.
Treatment
One remedy for this kind of nasal cavity infection is to go and get antibiotics from your doctor. You may also need pain relievers and decongestants depending on the extent of the blockage in your sinuses.
Thankfully, these infections are very common and treatable with the help of a doctor. There are also a number of natural remedies that you can try if your symptoms are not too severe.
Overall, the best way to prevent any kind of infection is to wash your hands before touching your face. You can also prevent infection by drinking water daily, and ensuring your nasal passages are moist. This you can achieve by regularly inhaling hot steam.
What can be beneficial in this case is inhaling steam along with essential oils like eucalyptus, which are used to open up the airways.
Conclusion
Although the pain from infections and allergies can feel like sinus headache pain, they are caused by very different things and need to be treated differently as well.
To promote your best overall health, be aware of the frequency of your pain and any other symptoms that accompany it. Understanding the cause is the first step to knowing what the most efficient treatment will be.
If you are prone to allergic reactions, also be sure to take the necessary steps to avoid exposure where possible.
Unfortunately, besides from pain in the nasal cavities, there are many different other types of headaches too. One that a lot of people seem to get is the caffeine headache. This, for the most part, is due to drinking to many caffeinated beverages. To find out more, read about the secret to getting rid of a caffeine headache.
