The sinuses make up part of the airway. These air-filled spaces in your forehead, cheeks, and nose bridge constantly interact with air and dirt particles from the environment. Due to the complex nature of their job, the sinuses are vulnerable to an immune reaction against harmful stages. Symptoms of allergic reactions in the sinuses include inflammation. Moreover, an infection may develop, leading to excess mucus production that might eventually block the sinuses and cause breathing complications. For example, patients report sinus headaches through the buildup of pressure in the spaces, which presents as a discomfort in the head. Sometimes the headache might extend to the neck. Fortunately, there are various treatments that specialists like Dr. Cecil Yeung Houston recommend to help patients find relief for their sinus headaches.
What are the symptoms of sinus headaches?
The most common concern patients with sinus headaches report is a deep thriving in their foreheads, cheekbones, and nose bridge. Since these locations house sinuses, this symptom points towards sinus headaches. If you are still not sure about the underlying cause of your headache, try moving your head suddenly. The presence of pain after sudden head movements could mean a sinus problem. Other symptoms of sinus-related headache include:
- Runny nose
- Fever
- Swelling in the face
If you suspect that your headache results from an underlying sinus concern, you may need to seek emergency medical intervention. Doctors usually detect sinus complications after performing a thorough physical examination. However, symptoms like a runny nose are sure signs of sinus infection. There are cases where imaging tests like CT Scans to reveal clear sinus images are necessary for a detailed diagnosis.
What is the treatment of sinus headaches?
Developing a treatment plan for sinus headaches is not a straightforward process like diagnosis. A physician will rely on crucial information like the root cause of the problem and thus develop the perfect approach to restore wellness. For this reason, an initial consultation is essential to help your doctor review your medical and family history before comprehensively evaluating your symptoms to determine your diagnosis.
Treating sinus headaches involves relieving symptoms to restore quality living to the patient. Your doctor will prescribe necessary medications as the initial conservative approach to your concerns. Antibiotics are the perfect solution for sinus infections. Doctors usually prescribe antihistamines and decongestants to help relieve any effects of an allergic reaction in the sinuses.
Corticosteroids usually help to minimize inflammation in the sinuses. However, your doctor may prescribe pain relievers to help with any discomfort. It is essential to discuss with a specialist your concerns before taking any over-the-counter medicines.
Physicians usually insist on preventative treatment for sinus flare-ups due to allergic reactions. Although medical intervention is the surest way of getting relief, you may want to try using a humidifier and saltwater nasal spray to gain at-home relief of any sinus problems. Contact Houston Sinus Surgery to learn more about sinus headaches and determine the best treatment that will restore your respiratory health and thus enable you to perform better at work.
