Pain in the sinus area does not automatically mean that you have a sinus disorder. On the other hand, sinus and nasal passages can become inflamed leading to a headache. A headache is one of the key symptoms of patients diagnosed with acute or chronic sinusitis. In addition to a headache, sinusitis patients often complain of:

  • Pain and pressure around the eyes, across the cheeks and the forehead
  • Pain and pressure around the eyes, across the cheeks and the forehead
  • Achy feeling in the upper teeth
  • Fever and chills
  • Facial swelling
  • Nasal stuffiness
  • Yellow or green discharge, However, it is important to note that there are some cases of headaches related to chronic sinusitis without other upper respiratory symptoms. This suggests that an examination for sinusitis be considered when treatment for a migraine or other headache disorder is unsuccessful.

Treatment For A Sinus Headache

There are several at-home steps that help prevent a sinus headache or alleviate its pain. They include:

  • Breathe moist air: Relief for a sinus headache can be achieved by humidifying the dry air environment. This can be done by using a steam vaporizer or cool-mist humidifier, steam from a basin of hot water, or steam from a hot shower.
  • Alternate hot and cold compresses: Place a hot compress across your sinuses for three minutes and then a cold compress for 30 seconds. Repeat this procedure three times per treatment, two to six times a day.
  • Nasal irrigation: Some believe that when nasal irrigation or rinse is performed, mucus, allergy creating particles and irritants such as pollens, dust particles, pollutants, and bacteria are washed away, reducing the inflammation of the mucous membrane. Normal mucosa will fight infections and allergies better and will reduce the symptoms. Nasal irrigation helps shrink the sinus membranes and thus increases drainage. There are several over-the-counter nasal rinse products available. Consult your ear, nose, and throat specialist for directions on making a home nasal rinse or irrigation solution.
  • Over-the-counter medications: Some over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are highly effective in reducing sinus headache pain. The primary ingredient in most OTC pain relievers is aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or a combination of them. The best way to choose a pain reliever is by determining which of these ingredients works best for you.
  • Alternative medicine: Chinese herbalists use Magnolia Flower as a remedy for clogged sinus and nasal passages. In conjunction with other herbs, such as angelica, mint, and chrysanthemum, it is often recommended for upper respiratory tract infections and sinus headaches, although its effectiveness for these problems has not been scientifically confirmed. Accupuncture and biofeedback have also been found helpful for many patients.Sinusitis_Symptoms_ENT_Denver

If none of these preventative measures or treatments is effective, a visit to an ear, nose, and throat specialist may be warranted. During the examination, a CT scan of the sinuses may be ordered to determine the extent of blockage caused by chronic sinusitis. If no chronic sinusitis were found, treatment might then include allergy testing and desensitization (allergy shots). Acute sinusitis is treated with antibiotics and decongestants. If antibiotics fail to relieve the chronic sinusitis and accompanying headaches, endoscopic or image-guided surgery may be the recommended treatment.

What Patients Are Saying

I have been dealing with extremely weird problems with my right ear for about two and a half months. After being ignored at my regular physicians office, I decided to see Dr. Schwartz ( Swartz) and I am so happy I did. The hearing test was thorough and I received the results immediately after which gave me relief. The assistant was so nice and made me feel like she was truly listening to me. I loved how she relayed everything to the doctor before he came in. Because of this, He gave me answers and set up a game plan immediately. I have never felt so taken care of! I truly felt important and heard. Thank you everyone in the office for being so amazing!

Dr. Rasbband was delightful and made me feel like I was in good hands. There was a mixup with my appointment but they recovered nicely. Great experience.- Frank Barth…

Dr. Jeffrey Cutler is terrific. I have had chronic sinusitis for years. Dr. Cutler has mapped out strategies and procedures to mitigate the frequency of my sinusitis episodes. He is personable, relatable, and takes the time to question and completely understand your current situation. He uses diagnostic tools, your history & physical examination to estblish a differential diagnosis and then discusses treatment options with you NOT to you. He is top notch.

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Jeffrey L. Cutler, M.D.
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Dr. Jeffrey Cutler is board-certified with the American Board of Otolaryngology and received his medical degree at Tulane University Medical School in New Orleans. He performed his residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. In addition, he completed a 1 year fellowship in nasal and endoscopic sinus surgery.  His area of expertise includes the medical and surgical treatment of complicated sinus and skull base diseases.  Dr. Cutler has published many articles on office based nasal and sinus procedures - particularly on balloon sinus and Eustachian tube dilation  When not at the office, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, skiing and cycling.

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