Sinusitis Headache Symptoms

A sinusitis headache is an inflammatory condition of the sinus cavities.  A sinus headache may develop due to irritation of the nerves surrounding the sinus areas that are inflamed.  If the sinusitis headache is caused by a blockage of foreign debris or excess mucus, there will likely be a fever.  The blockage of bacteria, fungi or virus also triggers excess mucus production in the sinus cavities and inflammation due to the pathogens attacking the sinus cavity openings.  When the sinus cavity openings are attacked this leads to a more serious sinus infection. 

• ·         Sinusitis headache symptoms develop typically as a result when there is existing inflammation from a cold or allergy.  When bacteria get into the sinus cavities, they attack the swelling of the cavity lining, causing more inflammation. 
• ·         During a sinusitis infection, the cilia which are small hairs in the nasal passageways cannot perform their function of removing the debris that is blocked inside the sinus cavity.  Any sinusitis treatment that attacks the cause of the inflammation will be helpful in eradicating the sinusitis headache.   
• ·         Physicians will often utilize CT scans or an MRI to determine if there is a blockage in the sinuses. 

Allergy

Sinusitis Infections can cause headaches and this can frequently develop from an allergy.  An allergy is an immune response and a hypersensitivity disorder that results in an inflammatory response activating white blood cells.  An antihistamine can assist with reducing excess mucus that develops in the sinus passages and will provide symptom relief.  Antihistamines are “any drug that neutralizes the effects of histamine, used especially in the treatment of allergies.”  Antihistamines block histamines which are helpful in clearing up excess mucus from allergic reactions that often trigger sinusitis and can clear the headache that can accompany a sinusitis infection.  Histamines are nitrogen compounds that are produced as a regulating physiologic response triggering an inflammatory response to foreign pathogens.  Histamine causes nasal mucus production as it increases vascular permeability, resulting in fluid escaping from the capillaries into the tissues.  A sinusitis headache is an inflammatory condition of the sinus cavities.  There are a myriad of symptoms that take place with a sinusitis infection.  Common symptoms of a sinusitis infection include: cough, upper respiratory congestion, postnasal drip, nasal discharge, fever, facial pain, facial pressure, and fatigue. 

Headache also known as cephalgia is pain in the head or neck region that may occur on one or both sides of the head, or it can be isolated in a particular location, radiate across the head from one point and have a vise like quality.  The pain from a headache can be dull, sharp or throbbing.  The pain can appear suddenly or come on gradually lasting for hours to days.  The pain from a headache due to sinusitis is usually pain in the forehead, eyes, or the teeth with a stuffy nose and congestion.  A sinus headache is one of the main reasons people visit a doctor. 

Headaches: ouch!

Headaches commonly occur as a result of irritation to the blood vessels or meninges.  If the sinusitis headache is caused by a blockage of foreign debris or excess mucus, there will likely be a fever.  The most common treatment methods used to treat a sinusitis infection are oral antibiotics, decongestants, nasal sprays, and of course rest, drinking plenty of fluids to flush the system, as well as using warm compresses and inhaling warm water vapor to alleviate pain and pressure in the face.  There are several treatment options to address a sinusitis headache which focus on symptom relief.  Analgesics are often recommended or prescribed.  Analgesics, like Alieve or Advil are mild over the counter anti-inflammatories.  If analgesics fail to provide adequate pain relief an antihistamine will be recommended such as Benadryl or Sudafed.  Steroids can be prescribed if the antihistamines fail to reduce allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing, and runny nose and ease the sinusitis symptoms like congestion, pressure, and sinus headache.

• ·         You cannot expect your physician to prescribe an oral antibiotic to treat sinusitis with or without a headache.  
• ·         Oral antibiotics are currently the most common treatment prescribed for a sinusitis infection and yet they are marginally effective. 
• ·         Oral antibiotics rely on the blood stream and blood vessels exclusively to carry medication to the infected sinus cavity. 
• ·         The sinus cavities cannot to provide the medication through the limited supply of blood vessels is problematic as the blood vessels cannot deliver an effective dose of medication to the actual site of infection. 
• ·         Recurrent sinusitis infections are common with the use of oral antibiotics due to the blood vessels inability to provide an effective dose to the site of infection.  In short, it is difficult to effectively treat any sinusitis infection with oral antibiotics.

Decongestants

Decongestants such as claritan and benedryl are helpful in reducing inflammation in the sinus passages during a Sinusitis Headache and function by shrinking swollen mucous membranes that are in the nasal passageways and sinus cavity openings.  The purpose of a decongestant is to allow for easy breathing during a sinus infection, unblocking the airways.  Oral decongestant may be recommended but like oral antibiotics they also rely on the blood vessels in the sinus cavity to deliver medication through the blood stream to the infected sinus area.  In addition, a decongestant can also assist in shortening the course of the illness by shrinking the ostia, allowing the mucus to drain from the sinus cavity.  Spray decongestants also are available and provide immediate relief, but due to the active ingredient oxymetazoline or phenylephrine can become habit forming as well as inducing a rebound effect.  If spray decongestants are used for too long and the medication wears off, the swelling in the nasal cavity returns and is more severe than it was prior to the last application of decongestant.  Hence, a dependency on nasal sprays can easily develop which may require steroids to assist with the withdrawal period as well as reducing inflammation.  The rebound effect from a decongestant spray can occur for anyone using a decongestant spray from a bad cold to an acute sinusitis infection. 

Try Something New: Sinus Dynamics aerosol sinus therapy!

Sinus Dynamics offers the most innovative and effective treatment for sinusitis infections.  Call Sinus Dynamics today to order your treatment for your sinusitis headache symptoms (877) 447-4276.  Sinus Dynamics custom compounded antibiotics, anti-fungals, and anti-inflammatories are delivered with a pressurized aerosolized mist through a state of the art nebulizer into the sinus cavities.  Sinus Dynamics nebulizer emits a fine medicated mist with 3.2-micron particle size that can rapidly enter the inflamed sinus cavities, depositing medication and making contact with the infection directly. The aerosolized medicated mist is sent up into nasal passages reaching the actual site of the sinusitis infection, fighting the infection on contact.  Sinus Dynamics’ topical approach to treating sinusitis is particularly effective as medications that are topically applied result in little to no side effects and ensure a low systemic absorption rate as well as reaching the site of infection unlike the other treatment methods prescribed.  Sinus Dynamics sinus therapy is highly effective, easy to use, and safe with a 98% success rate in the treatment of patients who are suffering with sinusitis headache symptoms. 

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