Sinus headaches

The causes and symptoms of sinus headaches

10 (1 reviews) Rate this page



Immune System Expert
@avogeluk_health
Ask a question

An introduction to sinus headaches

Sinus headaches may arise as a result of sinusitis.

They can be mistaken for migraines or tension headache. In reality, they are fairly uncommon so it is important to ensure that what you are experiencing is a sinus headache in order to find the most effective treatment.

What are sinus headaches?

The sinuses are small air-filled cavities located either side of the nose, under the eyes and in your forehead. They produce small amounts of fluid or mucus which normally drain to the nasal passages.

However, these cavities can become blocked due a number of causes. When this happens, mucus does not drain away and pressure increases inside the sinuses.

When your sinuses are in this sorry state, you may develop a sinus headache, felt as a deep and constant pain in the areas where your sinuses lie. Normally, sinus headaches accompany sinusitis, a condition where the mucous lining of your sinuses becomes inflamed.

What are the causes?

There are a number of reasons why pressure can build up inside sinus cavities. Apart from blockage of the sinus openings and the production of excessive amounts of mucus, unequal pressure on either side of the eardrum can also lead to sinus pain and earache, most commonly seen when flying.

Sinus headaches usually accompany other sinus problems, and finding the root cause of your sinus infection will often explain to you why you are experiencing a sinus headache. Causes of sinusitis include:

And the symptoms?

A sinus headache is characterised by a deep throbbing pain and pressure in the sinuses in the forehead and face. This pain will increase with movement or changes of temperature. The symptoms may be worsened when lying down, and so are often bad in the morning and ease as the day goes on. The sinuses are often tender to touch.

The symptoms can be similar to those of migraines and tension headaches. Often examining other symptoms you experience along with the headaches helps an accurate diagnosis to be reached.

A sinus headache will be accompanied by a blocked or runny nose, and sometimes a productive mucous cough. On the other hand, migraines are often accompanied by nausea and vomiting, are aggravated by noise and bright lights rather than lying down. A tension headache becomes worse if you are feeling stressed or under pressure.

What treatments are available?

Treating the sinus headache effectively comes down to treating the sinusitis at the root. Treatments will vary depending on the cause of the sinusitis. For example, home and herbal remedies may be effective in the treatment of a cold or flu infection, while antibiotics may be needed for a more serious bacterial infection. In some cases, surgery may be needed to correct the anatomy of the sinuses or nasal passages.

When should I go to my doctor?

If you suffer from any form of unexplained headache, you should seek help from your doctor. The diagnosis of sinusitis should be made by your doctor. They will also be able to determine if you are experiencing sinus headaches or a different type of headache.

You should also visit the doctor if you experience a worsening of symptoms, or if symptoms do not ease within ten days, if you experience double vision or loss of muscle strength or sensation. Recurring symptoms of sinusitis should also be checked, as should symptoms accompanied by a fever.

It is rare for complications of sinusitis or sinus headaches to develop, but if they do it is more common in children. A spread of infection to other parts of the body such as the ears is likely to be the most common complication of sinusitis.

Sinuforce Nasal Spray - Blocked nose remedy

Sinuforce - For the relief of nasal catarrh, nasal congestion and a runny nose.
More info

Popular Q&As

Is sinusitis causing my headache?

Sinusitis can cause headaches but there could be other reasons for your headache. For more ...
Read more >

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

The symptoms of sinusitis can vary greatly from person to person, but some of the most common are: a ...
Read more >

How healthy are you?

Take our quick quiz to discover just how healthy your immune system is, as well as some useful information about your general health and wellbeing!

Check now

Here’s what I recommend

As the A. Vogel Immune System expert, I recommend Sinuforce Nasal Spray with menthol, to help relieve the symptoms of Sinusitis.

Learn more

Did you know?

Sinusitis can cause you to experience a headache, which normally manifests as a deep throbbing pain characterised by a feeling of pressure around the sinuses in your face and forehead.

Sinus headaches

Healthy & nutritious dinner ideas

Get new recipes in your inbox every week. Sign up now

Can’t Sleep? Take our sleep test for personalised results in under a minute!