Chronic sinus headaches often occur during a sinus infection, when the sinuses become inflamed and swollen. Symptoms of sinus headaches include pain and pressure in the forehead, near the eyes and brow, nasal discharge, cough, fever and fatigue. According to MayoClinic.com, sinus headaches and migraine symptoms often overlap. The clinic adds that 90 percent of patients who believe a sinus headache is present are actually suffering from a migraine headache. Sinus headaches are not associated with nausea or vomiting and are not aggravated by sound or lights, as migraines are. Treatments include clearing up the sinus infection; once the sinuses are cleared, the sinus headache often disappears.
Medications
Antibiotics will destroy the germs that cause the sinus infection. All prescriptions should be completed and never stopped midcourse. Signs and symptoms of a sinus infection often disappear soon after starting an antibiotic regimen; however, patients should take all prescribed drugs to full eradicate the sinus infection. Some medical doctors may prescribe corticosteroid medications, such as nasal sprays. Additional over-the-counter medications such as decongestants may also beneficial. A person suspecting a sinus headache may consider taking medications made for migraine relief, because many sinus headaches are actually migraines. Over-the-counter analgesics such as ibuprofen and asprin may relieve mild migraine headaches, reports MayoClinic.com.
Muscle Relaxation Techniques
A person may participate in deep breathing exercises, yoga or meditation if headache symptoms are becoming stronger. Additional home activities such as gardening, drawing, reading or listening to music may also help prevent the sinus headache symptoms from growing worse. A person may find relief by resting in a dark quiet room. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests muscle stretching and massage to decrease sinus headache symptoms. Fingers placed against the sinuses and adding a slight amount of pressure may give temporary relief.
Decrease Congestion
Reducing symptoms of the sinus infection also decreases the symptoms of the sinus headache. A person may sit in a bathroom and run the shower to inhale moist steam. Humidifiers add moisture in the air and are effective at reducing congestion when sinus headaches are present. Neti pots may also be used to wash sinuses and flush out excess mucous. If a neti pot is not available, bulb syringes or even a small glass aid in rinsing out the sinuses. A saline solution made up of 1 cup warm water and about a 1/4 tsp. of salt is used to flush the nasal passageways and cavities.
