Treat a Sinus Headache
A sinus headache is caused by inflammation in the sinus cavities called sinusitis. Sinusitis has numerous causes, including bacterial, fungal and viral infections, allergies and autoimmune disorders. Treatment for a sinus headache is multi-dimensional and starts with a proper diagnosis.
Instructions
1. Check your symptoms to determine if you truly have a sinus headache or another type of headache. Sinus headaches are characterized by yellowish or greenish nasal discharge, pain and pressure in the front of the face, including cheeks, brow and forehead and worsening of pain when bending forward.
2. Determine if you have risk factors for sinusitis. People with nasal growths, allergies and asthma (among other conditions) are more likely to develop chronic sinus headaches.
3. See your primary care physician for proper diagnosis. Diagnosing a sinus headache can be difficult and may require tests of mucus for infection. Computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are sometimes used, as well.
4. Treat a sinusitis infection caused by bacteria with antibiotics. If your doctor determines a bacterial infection is causing your sinus headache, completing a full course of antibiotics should clear the infection and treat the headache.
5. Use prescription corticosteroid nasal sprays to treat sinusitis caused by allergies. These can help reduce the inflammation of the nasal passages causing the sinus headache.
6. Take over-the-counter pain killers and decongestants as the sinusitis goes away. These can help ease the discomfort of the sinus headache while the antibiotics clear the infection.
7. Prevent sinus headaches from returning by using a humidifier to keep indoor air moist. This is particularly important when you sleep.
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