1. Headache or Allergy
Headaches have many possible causes. Sometimes headaches occur in conjunction with allergies. However, a headache is usually not part of a primary allergic reaction, but rather a secondary symptom in response to the allergic reaction. Sinus headaches and migraines are most commonly associated with allergies. Both of these headache types can be difficult to distinguish from one another.
2. Sinuses as Allergen Traps
The sinuses are hollow spaces in the front of the skull that are lined with mucous membranes. Allergies like hay fever, house dust allergies and some pet allergies irritate the sinuses, causing increased mucous production. The result is sinus congestion, a runny nose and a cough. Sometimes bacteria settle in inflamed sinuses, leading to bacterial sinusitis, or what is commonly called a sinus infection. When the sinuses are inflamed they cannot drain properly and pressure builds up, causing pain in your face and forehead and resulting in a sinus headache.
3. Misunderstood Migraines
The causes of migraine headaches are not well understood, but they appear to involve nerves and blood vessels in your head. These headaches usually occur on one side of the head, and the pain can be intense. Some are preceded by visual disturbances or unusual sensations on the skin. These symptoms are called aura, and migraines with aura are considered classic migraines. Other migraines are not preceded by aura and are known as common migraines.
4. Sinus or Migraine
It can be difficult to tell the difference between sinus and migraine headaches. Migraines are often felt around the eyes, and you have sinuses above and below your eyes. Migraines are one-sided and the pain is felt in a specific spot. The same can be said for sinus headaches if the pain is localized to a single inflamed sinus cavity. Both often feel worse when a person bends over. Sinus discharge can accompany either type. One way to tell the difference is to look for other signs and symptoms. For example, a sinus headache might occur during allergy season or after an exposure to a respiratory allergen. It might accompany other respiratory symptoms, such as a cough, itchy or sore throat and sneezing. On the other hand, migraine symptoms might include aura, nausea or sensitivity to light.
5. Food Sensitivity is not Necessarily Allergy
The confusion between a sinus headache and a migraine is further complicated when food additives bring on migraine headaches. These are not clearly allergic reactions because allergy involves activation of the body's immune system and that does not seem to happen with migraine. One additive commonly referenced is monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is found in many Asian and processed foods. Another is phenylethylamine, which is present in chocolate. Other potential culprits include tyramine, a chemical common in pickled foods or cultured foods like cheese, and the artificial sweetener aspartame.
