1. Zone 1 Headache Signs
A headache that occurs while your nasal passages are blocked hurts more due to the pressure on the sinuses. Instead of an overall ache that seems to encompass the entire skull, sinus headache symptoms center on one or more sinus cavities. If you divided your head into three horizontal zones, you would feel the most common sinus infection headache pain at the top, in zone 1.
The sinuses centered just above your eyebrows are called the frontal cavities. Sometimes headache pain here may cause you to furrow your eyebrows or even massage the area. Because clogged sinuses respond well to warmth, placing a warm gel pack over the frontal sinuses can help ease the pain.
2. Zone 2 Pain and Inflammation
Two groups of sinuses make up zone 2. The ethnoid cells are grouped behind the eyes and nasal passages. The sphenoid cavities flank them, closest to the ears. Pain in the ethnoid cells is often the most intense, perhaps inducing you to try to relieve it by rubbing pressure points on either side of the nose. Pain behind the eyes and near the ears is difficult to treat topically and is a strong indicator of a sinus inflammation.
A sinus infection can spread to the eye socket or even the brain, so you should closely monitor painful symptoms in the eye area. Be sure to tell your doctor if you experience vision problems along with a case of sinusitis.
3. Zone 3 Misconceptions
Zone 3 contains the maxillary sinuses. These lie beneath your cheekbones and affect the cheek, jaws and teeth when there is an infection. If this area hurts in conjunction with other affected sinuses, an infection is likely.
When it hurts alone, however, some people confuse the pain with a tooth problem, especially if they have ongoing dental issues. Throbbing that seems to be spread over the top jaw or to include facial tenderness on the cheek may be a sign of a sinus headache rather than a tooth condition.
