A sinus headache is often confused with a migraine because some of the signs and symptoms of the two are similar. However, sinus headaches are usually triggered by respiratory, environmental or physical triggers, which are not the same as migraine triggers. In addition, sinus headaches are often related to sinusitis.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a sinus headache include pain or pressure in the face, sore throat, extreme tiredness, fever and worsening pain when lying down or bending over. Sinus headache symptoms do not include nausea or worsening headaches because of noise or light. Those are typical symptoms of a migraine.
Respiratory Triggers
Sinus headaches accompany sinusitis, a condition in which the sinuses become inflamed or infected. Additionally, they may be caused by a cold or the flu; other respiratory conditions, such as hay fever, may also trigger them. A person who is susceptible to respiratory conditions may often suffer from sinus headaches in relation to other conditions, and they are often accompanied by a thick mucous discharge.
Environmental Triggers
Although less common, sinus headaches are sometimes triggered by environmental factors, including dust, pollen, smoke and environmental allergens. People who suffer from seasonal allergies may suffer from symptoms of a sinus headache. Some environmental triggers are controllable while others may not be.
Physical Triggers
Sinus headaches can be triggered by a physical deformity in the nose, whether it's inherited or the result of an accident. In addition, chronic inflammation in the sinuses as a result of a mucous infection caused by a disease of the respiratory system (cystic fibrosis, for example) can cause them too.
Other Common Triggers
In addition to sinusitis and environmental, physical and respiratory triggers, sinus headaches can be caused by dental infections, too. A doctor should be consulted if intense headache pain does not disappear within a few days or if you have an extremely high fever.
