It’s always allergy season in Georgia, which leads to sneezing, coughing, and possibly sinus headaches. What are sinus headaches? Once an allergic reaction turns into a sinus infection, headaches and facial pain come soon after. Unlike regular headaches, they’re present between the eyebrows and throughout the face, creating a consistent throb that’s unbearable. Fortunately, there are remedies for sinus headaches.
Struggling with a sinus headache at work, school, or even at home can prevent someone from completing daily tasks, no matter the difficulty of that activity. That’s why it’s important to first understand the difference between a sinus headache and other similar ailments. Once you know the source of the problem, you can treat that source and not just the symptom itself.
Sinus Headache Symptoms
A sinus headache generally accompanies other symptoms; otherwise, it may not be sinus related, but something else entirely. Here are the major symptoms of a sinus headache:
- Pain around the eyes, between the brows, and around the nose
- Pain that worsens with movement
According to WebMD, those symptoms should be accompanied by:
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Cough
- Runny nose
Again, without these other symptoms, it could be something other than a sinus headache. If you believe it’s sinus related, seek an ear, nose, and throat doctor who can diagnose and treat the source, not just the symptoms.
Remedies for sinus headaches
Despite the pain and pressure being unbearable sometimes, finding relief is rather easy. We do not intend these remedies as treatment options, but more for temporary relief until you can get proper diagnosis and treatment. In the end, true treatment happens at an ENT. For example, the ENT Institute uses specific technology to look into your sinuses to assess the causes, then create a treatment plan with you.
Avoid dry air
We could have just used the word “moist” in the subheading but decided not to because that is the worst word in the English dictionary. But, for the lack of a better word, moist air really does help fight sinus pain and pressure. Using a humidifier is a great way to ensure the air isn’t dry.
Drink water
Since all living beings need water, this one should be natural for us, but it’s unfortunately not. Opting for beverages outside of water can lead to further sinus problems, especially dairy or caffeine. When you have a sinus infection, staying hydrated keeps the mucus thin and moving. Other drinks do the opposite. Take your pick.
Sinus irrigation
Sounds more scientific than it is. Sinus irrigation, or flushing out the nostrils, just requires saline (salt water) and a bulb syringe or neti pot that pushes water up into the sinus cavities and cleans it out. This is a great way to prevent and treat sinus infections. Use water that’s boiled or purified.
Get steamy
Taking a hot shower and inhaling the steam helps relieve the pain and pressure. You can also bring a pot of water to a boil and stand over it for a few moments. This might not seem that impactful, but it breaks up the mucus and loosens it up. Placing a hot compress on your face should also help.
These are a few temporary remedies that can bring relief for a short while, but getting diagnosed and treated is your best bet. When someone has over 4 sinus infections per year, that’s considered chronic sinusitis and requires more analysis.
If you or a loved one struggles with sinus headaches or chronic sinusitis, schedule an appointment with the Ear, Nose and Throat Institute. Call 770-740-1860 or fill out the form at the top of the page for same-day appointments.
Citations
- DerSarkissian, C., (2018, December 23) Sinus Headache: Sprays, Irrigation, and Other Treatments [Medical Website] Retrieved on September 2nd, 2020 from https://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-headaches
- Dehler, J., PA-C (2018, October 31) How to Relieve Sinus Pressure with 10 Home Remedies [Medical Article] Retrieved on September 2nd, 2020 from https://www.allinahealth.org/healthysetgo/heal/ten-home-remedies-to-relieve-sinus-pain-and-pressure
- Ratini, M., DO, MS (2020, March 03) Neti Pots for Sinus Infections: Do They Help? [Medical Website] Retrieved on September 2nd, 2020 from https://www.webmd.com/allergies/neti-pots