Your Sinus Headache May Not Be What You Think
Nearly everyone experiences a headache at some point, and the pain can range from mild to debilitating.
Sometimes, headaches are accompanied by pain and pressure in your brow and forehead, and cause nasal symptoms. Many people associate sinus and nasal symptoms with a sinus infection, also called sinusitis, or with an upper respiratory infection, a cold. They may say that they are experiencing a sinus headache. But sinus and nasal symptoms often can signal something else: a migraine headache.
The term sinus headache is not an actual medical diagnosis. Studies show that 90% of people with symptoms of a sinus headache are experiencing migraine headaches.
Sinusitis or migraine?
Migraines and headaches from sinusitis are easy to confuse because the signs and symptoms of the two types of headaches may overlap. Also, migraine headaches affect people differently and symptoms can change over time. This is why many who have had migraine headaches in the past are surprised when they begin having sinus and nasal symptoms with a migraine headache.
Sinusitis, however, usually isnt associated with nausea or vomiting, nor is it aggravated by noise or bright light all common features of migraines.
Previous misdiagnosis
These are a few ways you can tell whether your sinus and nasal symptoms are part of a sinus infection or part of a migraine headache:
Risk factors
What Causes A Migraine
The cause of migraine headaches is complicated and not fully understood. When you have a headache its because specific nerves in your blood vessels send pain signals to your brain. This releases inflammatory substances into the nerves and blood vessels of your head. Its unclear why your nerves do that.
Of : Know The Type Of Headache Youre Experiencing
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How Can You Get Relief
Since pulsating headaches have multiple causes, theres no one way to alleviate them. The key is to uncover what is causing it so that you can treat that specific problem. If you have trouble localizing the source of your headaches, a doctor can ask you some guided questions to help you narrow it down.
The triggers of some throbbing headaches are avoidable, but not all. For example, you may discover that the light from your computer screen is the culprit, but because it is a regular part of your work routine, you have to find a way to endure it without experiencing a headache. Migraines can also be hereditary, which is another difficult obstacle to overcome.
Preventing A Heat Headache
While you may not be able to dodge every heat headache and migraine, you can help yourself by avoiding triggers as much as possible. Here are some of our favorite summertime tips for preventing summer migraines:
Pack along your sunglasses!
- Drink plenty of water more than you think is necessary, even!
- Wear head protection outdoors this could be anything from a baseball cap to a broad brim beach hat.
- If you exercise, try working out indoors or after the suns gone down.
- Wear sunglasses to reduce glare.
- Avoid being out or running errands during the hottest hours of the day.
- Get enough sleep.
- Keep your medications and supplements on hand.
- Drink plenty of water yes, we said this already, but its so important its worth repeating!
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Urgent Advice: Get An Urgent Gp Appointment Or Call 111 If:
You or your child has a severe headache and:
- jaw pain when eating
- other symptoms, such as numbness or weakness in the arms or legs
Also get an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if your child is under 12 and has any 1 of the following:
- a headache that wakes them at night
- a headache when they wake up in the morning
- a headache that gets progressively worse
- a headache triggered or made worse by coughing, sneezing or bending down
- a headache with vomiting
- a headache with a squint or an inability to look upward
What Are Other Serious Neurologic Conditions Might Covid
There are several. The more ominous things are encephalitis, seizures, increased risk of stroke and blood clot in the brain and hemorrhagic encephalitis.
Find the neurological help you need.
Weve seen things like brain and spinal cord inflammation, a condition called ADEM and another that looks like a multiple sclerosis attack, which can include tingling, numbness, fatigue, cramps, tightness and dizziness, altered mental status, and seizure.
There is also a connection between COVID and lung failure.
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What Are The Most Common Types Of Headaches
The Third Edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders is a tool used by physicians to diagnose headaches. It sorts primary headache disordersheadaches that cant be explained by a condition, illness, or injuryinto these four categories:
- Tension-type headache : This is the most common type of headache, and typically only causes mild to moderate pain. They strike on both sides of the head and are described as a dull, pressing, or band-like tightening.2
- Migraine: Migraine is a neurological condition that can cause head pain thats often described as throbbing and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, smell, or touch. Migraine attacks affect around 12% of people.3
- Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias : TACs are rarer than migraine and TTH. They include cluster headache, which causes excruciating pain near the eye or temple that intensifies within minutes and lasts up to three hours, according to an older study published in the journal Neurology.4
- Other primary headache disorders: While rare, other primary headache disorders include primary stabbing headache, which causes sudden, stabbing pain, and new daily persistent headache, which appears out of the blue, is daily and continuous, and lasts for more than three months.
Headaches In Early Pregnancy
Nearly all women have occasional headaches, but having a headache in pregnancy is not fun. And, managing headaches is especially tricky in the first trimester when you should avoid many medicines. Whether your headache is from tension or is a full-blown migraine, there are some things you should know.
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When To See A Healthcare Provider
Most throbbing headaches are not worrisome. However, sometimes, a throbbing headache is the only or first sign of something serious going on.
Be sure to see a healthcare provider in the following situations:
- Your headache pattern is changing .
- You have a headache and are pregnant, just gave birth, or have a history of cancer or a weakened immune system.
- You are 65 years old or older and are experiencing a headache that feels different from prior headaches.
- Your headache is triggered by sneezing, coughing, or exercising.
- You are experiencing rebound headaches from taking painkillers regularly.
What Is The Connection Between Covid
From a headache perspective, this is one of the presenting symptoms of COVID-19.
This virus behaves differently than a lot of other viruses. And one of the first symptoms that people have, before they develop cough, is they will get anosmia, which is lack of sense of smell. They can get really bad headache at that time. Sometimes cough doesn’t come until another couple of days later. There is a theory that this anosmia is actually due to the virus crossing over and invading the cribriform plate into their brain, causing a viral meningitis like picture.
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Experiencing Regular Sinus Headaches Contact National Headache Institute Today
The occasional sinus headache happens to everyone, but if you are having sinus pressure headaches regularly, its best to see a headache specialist, like those at National Headache Institute. Get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation in office or via telemedicine with one of our expert physicians. We have several locations to serve you and a variety of treatment options available all of which have the power to stop your sinus pressure headaches indefinitely.
What Causes A Tension Headache
The exact mechanism that causes a tension headache is not known. Several factors, such as genetics and environment, are thought to be involved. Muscle contractions in the head and neck are considered a major factor in the development of a tension headache. Some people get tension headaches in response to stressful events or hectic days.
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What Causes Headaches In Pregnancy
The exact cause of a headache isnt always clear. In the first trimester, changing hormone levels and blood volume may play a role. A dull, overall headache can come with stress, fatigue, and eyestrain. Sinus headaches may be more likely because of the nasal congestion and runny nose that are common in early pregnancy. Hunger and low levels of blood sugar can trigger headaches, too. Women who suddenly stop their morning coffee and sodas may experience caffeine withdrawal headaches. Those who also suffer with nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy can become dehydrated. This can also bring on a headache.
Migraine headaches are a common type of headache in pregnancy. These painful, throbbing headaches are usually felt on one side of the head and result from expansion of the blood vessels in the brain. The misery is sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. A small percentage of women with migraines also have an aura with the migraine. They see flashes of light or feel tingling in their arms and legs.
Why Do I Wake Up With A Headache
Morning headaches can occur for a variety of reasons. You may experience one once in a while after a poor nights sleep or when experiencing stress, or you may experience them regularly.
Early morning headaches may be the result of a change in your body physiology. In the early morning hours, your bodys level of internal pain reduction may be lowered. Additionally, your body may make more adrenalin during this time, resulting in migraine episodes.
Early morning headaches will often wake you up after 4 a.m., or they may be present when you wake up. The most common types of morning headaches are:
- cluster headache
- tension headaches
Headaches related to sleep apnea also tend to occur in the early morning. One study showed that 1 out of 5 people with sleep apnea reported morning headaches.
Migraine attacks are a very common type of headache that occur most often in the early morning. Migraine is the third most prevalent illness in the world, and nearly 1 in 4 U.S. households include someone with migraine.
Sleep disorders and disturbances can lead to headaches, especially migraine. Emerging
- a combination of medication and therapy
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Home Remedies For Headaches: 10 Natural Ways To Treat Headaches
- Aashna Ahuja, NDTV
There comes a point when the world of deadlines, irksome bosses, late nights, skimpy sleep schedules and traffic jams takes a toll on us. It is then when our quintessential cup of coffee surrenders to splitting headaches. So, what do you do when you’re bad day culminates to a severe migraine? The easy way out is of course to pop a painkiller, maybe even indulge in acupressure, sip on some chamomile tea. And we’re willing to do just about anything to get rid of that pounding headache. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of 10 natural home remedies that will zap the pain from your debilitating headache. Your search for the best headache home remedies ends here, as we’ve got your back. In this article, we’ve included some tips and home remedies for headaches. Natural remedies are a drug-free way to reduce headache. These at-home treatments may help prevent headache, or at least help reduce their severity and duration.
Any General Tips For Someone Concerned About Headaches Whether Theyve Dealt With Migraine Or Fear It Developing
Continuing a healthy lifestyle is always going to be one of my top pieces of advice. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, that you’re keeping a routine with your sleep. With the loss of many regular life activities, making sure you maintain a modicum of routine schedule is extremely important. Even if youre at home, I recommend getting up at the same time that you used to, get dressed, eat meals, exercise and go to sleep at the regular times.
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The Best Defense Against Covid
Dr. Estemalik offers three words of advice for anyone hoping to avoid the headaches and cytokine storm that comes with COVID-19: Get the vaccine.
Vaccination reduces your chance of getting the infection, and it also has an incredible effect of reducing serious illness and long-haul symptoms even if you were to catch it, says Dr. Estemalik. Its the best thing you can do to avoid the virus and what it brings.
When To Get Emergency Care
Take your child to an emergency room or call 911 right away if they have:
- Extreme sleepiness
- Sudden, severe head pain happening for the first time
- Double vision – sees 2 of the same thing when only 1 is there
- Frequent projectile vomiting – vomit shoots out of the mouth
- Headache with a stiff neck or complains of neck pain, especially with a fever
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Whats A Migraine Journal
- Keeping a migraine journal is not only beneficial to you, but it helps your healthcare provider with the diagnosis process. Your journal should be detailed and updated as much as possible before, during and after a migraine attack. Consider keeping track of the following:
- The date and time of when the migraine began specifically when the prodrome started, if youre able to tell its happening. Track time passing. When did the aura phase begin? The headache? The postdrome? Do your best to tell what stage youre in and how long it lasts. If theres a pattern, that may help you anticipate what will happen in the future.
- What are your symptoms? Be specific.
- Note how many hours of sleep you got the night before it happened and your stress level. Whats causing your stress?
- Note the weather.
- Log your food and water intake. Did you eat something that triggered the migraine? Did you miss a meal?
- Describe the type of pain and rate it on a one to 10 scale with 10 being the worst pain youve ever experienced.
- Where is the pain located? One side of your head? Your jaw? Your eye?
- List all of the medications you took. This includes any daily prescriptions, any supplements and any pain medication you took.
- How did you try to treat your migraine, and did it work? What medicine did you take, at what dosage, at what time?
- Consider other triggers. Maybe you played basketball in the sunlight? Maybe you watched a movie that had flashing lights? If youre a woman, are you on your period?
Soothe Pain With A Cold Compress
Using a cold compress may help reduce your headache symptoms.
Applying cold or frozen compresses to the neck or head area decreases inflammation, slows nerve conduction and constricts blood vessels, all of which help reduce headache pain .
In one study in 28 women, applying a cold gel pack to the head significantly reduced migraine pain .
To make a cold compress, fill a waterproof bag with ice and wrap it in a soft towel. Apply the compress to the back of the neck, head or temples for headache relief.
Coenzyme Q10 is a substance produced naturally by the body that helps turn food into energy and functions as a powerful antioxidant .
Studies have shown that taking CoQ10 supplements may be an effective and natural way to treat headaches.
For example, one study in 80 people demonstrated that taking 100 mg of CoQ10 supplements per day reduced migraine frequency, severity and length .
Another study including 42 people who experienced frequent migraines found that three 100-mg doses of CoQ10 throughout the day helped decrease migraine frequency and migraine-related symptoms like nausea (
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What Medications Are Used To Relieve Migraine Pain
Over-the-counter medications are effective for some people with mild to moderate migraines. The main ingredients in pain relieving medications are ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen and caffeine.
Three over-the-counter products approved by the Food and Drug Administration for migraine headaches are:
- Excedrin® Migraine.
- Advil® Migraine.
- Motrin® Migraine Pain.
Be cautious when taking over-the-counter pain relieving medications. Sometimes overusing them can cause analgesic-rebound headaches or a dependency problem. If you’re taking any over-the-counter pain medications more than two to three times a week, report that to your healthcare provider. They may suggest prescription medications that may be more effective.
Prescription drugs for migraine headaches include:
Triptan class of drugs :
Drugs to relieve migraine pain come in a variety of formulations including pills, tablets, injections, suppositories and nasal sprays. You and your healthcare provider will discuss the specific medication, combination of medications and formulations to best meet your unique headache pain.
Drugs to relieve nausea are also prescribed, if needed.
All medications should be used under the direction of a headache specialist or healthcare provider familiar with migraine therapy. As with any medication, it’s important to carefully follow the label instructions and your healthcare providers advice.
Alternative migraine management methods, also known as home remedies, include: