Sinus headaches refer to the head aches that are caused in cases where sinuses of individuals become blocked resulting in nasal congestion. Sinuses are air filled bony cavities in our head that bind the nose and head through small openings. When an individual suffers from cold or has an allergy attack, the sinuses become blocked due to the accumulation of excess mucus and become infected accompanied by inflammation in the channels behind the nose, cheeks and eyes. Sinus headache is known to cause a monotonous and profound pain in the front of the head and face.

Causes of Sinus Headaches:

Individuals suffering from cold or prone to allergies are at an increased risk for sinus headaches. This type of headache gets worse if the patient leans over or bends and can cause a lot of discomfort. Sinus headache can also be caused if the person has suffered from an injury of the nose bone or has a deformity of the nose bone. Changes in atmospheric pressure such as mountain climbing or swimming can also result in this type of headaches.

Symptoms of Sinus Headaches:

Sinus headache is dull and constant. The pain is spread all over the frontal and sphenoid sinus area. When an individual suffers with acute sinusitis the symptoms get worse accompanied by a thickpurulent nasal discharge that is generally green in color. The headache changes to a higher intensity pressure-like pain experienced in a particular area of the face or head. This can worsen if a person bends or leans forward and is often followed by sore throat or pharyngitis, nasal congestion and malaise.

The symptoms of sinus headache are quite similar to those of migraine and hence are often jumbled up. It is therefore, best for you to consult a registered medical practitioner and get the correct diagnosis in order to get the right treatment on time.

Cure for Sinus Headache:

The foremost thing is to determine the cause of your headache. Sinus headaches can be triggered by allergies, atmospheric pressure changes and colds. Vitamin C is found helpful in treating this type of headache as it is rich in antioxidants and is found in various food sources such as broccoli, strawberries, cauliflower, oranges, pineapples and other citrus fruits. You can also try having a cup of lemon tea to relieve the symptoms.

Avoid cold foods such as ice-creams and colas and dig into hot soups and gravies. Having warm water at regular intervals also helps soothe the pain. Steam inhalation is also a great remedy to combat sinus headache as it opens the nasal passage and enables you to breathe freely. You can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the steam and inhale for best effect.