The sinuses are cavities in the forehead, cheekbones, and behind the bridge of the nose. They are air cavities. However, when there is an excess of mucus in the body, the sinuses fill with this fluid. This, in turn, inflames the sinus cavity linings, stimulating the immune system to trigger the production of more mucus. The tubes that clear the sinuses can become blocked due to the mucus present. Alternatively, they swell shut due to the inflammation. When this happens, the sinuses cannot drain, and the mucus inside them causes a buildup of pressure. This is what causes a sinus headache.
Sinus headaches can be severe, and they are often confused with migraines. However, once you know where your sinuses are, you can see if those areas are the origin of your headache. If they are, then it’s most likely you have a sinus headache, not a migraine.
Another way to determine whether or not you have a sinus headache is to lean forward. If you have a sinus headache, the pressure and pain will intensify immediately. Fortunately, there are treatment options available that can relieve the pain. However, you’ll need to address what’s causing the pain if you want it to go away forever. Taking painkillers will offer you temporary relief, but they will not address the root cause. Prolonged use of painkillers can lead to medication overuse headaches, so they should only be used sparingly.
Ask your doctor for advice on how to make the swelling in your sinuses go away so that the headache will follow suit. The doctor might prescribe antihistamines if your sinusitis is caused by an allergy. Where there is an infection, you will most likely benefit from taking a course of antibiotics. It may take a day or two before the headache subsides, as you have to give the medication time to work. During this time, it would be a good idea to use painkillers.