After a cold, or when suffering from seasonal allergies, you may experience a sinus headache. This type of headache indicates swelling or inflammation of the sinus cavities. Mucus can accumulate, causing a host of symptoms. A sinus headache that does not improve can also cause a sinus infection, which requires the treatment of a medical professional. Sinus headaches can often be identified by certain symptoms that do not usually occur with tension, migraine, or other types of headaches.
Head Pain
A sinus headache typically causes head pain that is concentrated in the areas of the sinuses. These areas include the cheekbones, the brow bones, the upper jaw and around the eyes. The pain may be described as a pressure, and you may see some swelling of these areas. In some cases, a sinus headache can cause your ears or even your teeth to throb. Over-the-counter or prescription decongestants can help to relieve this pressure. A severe headache or marked swelling around the eyes warrants medical attention.
Drainage
As the sinuses empty, mucus will drain from them. This can be clear, white, yellow or green. It may drain into the nose or down the throat. This drainage can cause bad breath, a sore throat, or a cough in some cases. If you are swallowing this drainage, you may experience nausea or vomiting. It can also cause nasal congestion, which can impact the way you smell odors and taste foods. If your drainage is yellow or green, consult your doctor, as you may have a sinus infection.
Fever
As mucus sits in the sinuses, there is a chance that it will become infected. This will cause a fever, along with the symptoms that a fever causes. These include fatigue, body aches and irritability. Once a sinus headache gets to this point, it's wise to see a doctor to treat the infection. In the meantime, over-the-counter pain medications can treat the fever as well as the pain.
