Many people suffer from headaches, but if the headache causes pain or tenderness behind the forehead, eyes, or cheeks, it is likely triggered by sinusitis. The sinuses are the cavities inside the bones of the skull filled with air and are intended to purify and moisten the latter. The skull contains four pairs of sinuses that can become inflamed and obstructed, causing sinus headache. You can reduce inflammation and clear your sinuses by using natural remedies, taking over-the-counter medications, or seeing your doctor for professional treatment.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using Home Remedies
Step 1. Breathe in moist air
Use a cold vaporizer or humidifier to reduce inflammation. Alternatively, you can fill a basin with boiling water, lean over it (be careful not to get too close) and cover your head with a towel, then inhale the steam. Another solution is to take a very hot shower while breathing in the steam from the water. Try to practice this procedure 2-4 times a day in sessions of 10-20 minutes each.
The humidity in the house should be around 45%. If the percentage is below 30%, the air is too dry, more than 50% is too humid. Use a tool called a hygrometer to measure humidity levels
Step 2. Apply a compress
Alternate between hot and cold packs. Place a warm one on your sinuses for 3 minutes and then replace it with a cold one for 30 seconds. You can repeat the procedure three times for each pack and do it between 2 and 6 times a day.
You can also run hot or cold water on a towel, wring it out to get rid of excess water, and place it on your face for the same effect
Step 3. Stay hydrated
Remember to drink plenty of fluids that dissolve the mucus in the nasal cavities making it easier to expel it; moreover this habit guarantees you a correct hydration in general. According to some studies, men should drink about 3 liters of water per day, while women about 2.2 liters.
Some people find some benefit from drinking warm fluids. Sip your favorite cup of tea or drink some broth to thin the mucus
Step 4. Use a saline nasal spray
Follow the directions on the package and spray it up to 6 times a day. The salt spray helps keep the lashes in the nose healthy, thereby reducing inflammation and relieving sinusitis. It also allows you to keep the nasal passages moist by eliminating dry secretions and thus improving the expulsion of mucus. The nasal spray is also useful for eliminating pollen, which can aggravate the allergies that are sometimes responsible for sinus headaches.
You can make a saline solution yourself by adding 2 or 3 teaspoons of whole sea salt to 240 ml of distilled, sterilized or pre-boiled water. Add a teaspoon of baking soda and mix the solution; at this point put it in a bulb syringe or a dropper and spray it into the nasal passages. Repeat the process up to 6 times a day
Step 5. Use a neti pot
Make a saline solution and put it in this tool. Stand over a sink, tilt your head to one side and pour the solution directly into one nostril, being careful to direct the flow towards the back of the head. The solution will enter the nasal cavity and along the back of the throat. Gently blow your nose and spit out the liquid. Repeat with the other nostril. The use of this tool allows to reduce inflammation and drain mucus, as well as rid the sinuses of irritants and allergens.
To make the saline solution, mix 2 or 3 teaspoons of whole salt in 240ml of distilled, sterilized, or previously boiled water. Also add a teaspoon of baking soda and mix thoroughly. Keep the solution at room temperature and be sure to always mix it before using it
Method 2 of 4: Take Medication
Step 1. Take antihistamines
These drugs block histamine, a substance produced by the body in reaction to allergens and which is responsible for the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose). At the pharmacy you can find different types without a prescription and you can take them once a day. Second generation antihistamines such as loratadine, fexofenadine and cetirizine have been formulated to minimize sleepiness, a problem found in first generation antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine or chlorphenamine).
If your sinus headache is due to seasonal allergies, take intranasal corticosteroids. These drugs are the most effective for treating allergies. You can take fluticasone or triamcinolone every day by making a splash or two in each nostril
Step 2. Use a nasal decongestant
You can take this drug topically (like oxymetazoline nasal spray) or orally (like pseudoephedrine) to relieve nasal congestion. The topical medicine can be taken every 12 hours but for no longer than 3-5 days, as excessive use can lead to new congestion due to the rebound effect. Oral decongestants can be taken once or twice a day, also in combination with antihistamines such as loratadine, fexofenadine and cetirizine.
Since pseudoephedrine is the main ingredient of methamphetamine (also called "speed" by regular users), its distribution is strictly regulated, both as a pure drug and in combination with other drugs; therefore it must be strictly prescribed by the doctor, to prevent drug dealers from accumulating large quantities
Step 3. Take pain relievers
You can take aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen to get temporary headache relief. While these drugs do not act on the underlying cause, they do help reduce or eliminate the pain associated with sinusitis.
Make sure you take them according to the instructions on the leaflet or the doctor
Step 4. Take prescription medications
Your doctor may recommend antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection that accompanies or causes your sinus headache. Symptoms of bacterial sinusitis include a sore throat, yellow or green nasal discharge, nasal congestion, fever, and fatigue. If the infection is acute it must be treated with a course of antibiotics of 10-14 days, while the chronic one requires a cure of 3-4 weeks.
Your doctor may also prescribe triptans, drugs that are used to treat migraines. Some studies have found that most sinus headache patients have experienced significant improvements with triptans. Examples of these drugs are sumatriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan, almotriptan, naratriptan and eletriptan
Step 5. Consider getting allergy vaccines (immunotherapy)
Your doctor may recommend this procedure if you do not experience positive results with your medications, if they cause you serious side effects, or if you can't help but expose yourself to allergens. Typically it is an allergist (expert in this branch) who gives the injections.
Step 6. Consider surgical solutions
Visit an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat expert) who will determine whether surgery is needed to address your headache problem. Nasal polyps or bone spurs can cause a sinus infection and need to be removed surgically or surgery can be done to open the nasal passages.
For example, it is possible to perform a rhinoplasty by inserting balloons inside the nasal cavities which, once inflated, allow to widen the passages
Method 3 of 4: Follow Alternative Therapies
Step 1. Take supplements
Studies have been done to establish the impact of these nutrients on sinus headaches. The products listed below can prevent or treat this disorder:
- Bromelain is an enzyme produced by pineapple that helps reduce inflammation. However, do not take it with blood thinners, as it can increase the risk of bleeding. You must also avoid consumption if you are taking ACE inhibitors (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors), a class of drugs commonly used to treat hypertension. In both of these cases, bromelain can increase the chances of a sudden drop in blood pressure (hypotension).
- Quercetin is the plant pigment responsible for the bright colors in fruits and vegetables. It also acts as a natural antihistamine, but further studies are needed to verify this property.
- Lactobacillus is a probiotic bacterium needed by the body to ensure the health of the digestive system and a strong immune system. This supplement reduces the risk of both developing allergies and developing gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea, gas and abdominal pain associated with taking antibiotics.
Step 2. Try herbal remedies
There are many plants that help fight headaches, acting on the prevention or treatment of colds, strengthening the immune system or reducing inflammation of the sinuses. Studies have shown that a herbal supplement, Sinupret, can reduce the symptoms of inflammation thanks to its ability to thin the mucus, thus promoting its drainage. Other plants that are commonly used to treat this ailment are:
- The scutellaria. Make an infusion by pouring 240ml of boiling water over 1 or 2 teaspoons of dried leaves. Cover the mixture and let the herbs steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink 2 to 3 cups a day for relief.
- The feverfew. Make an infusion by pouring 240 ml of boiling water over 2 or 3 teaspoons of chopped fresh leaves. Leave to infuse for 15 minutes, then filter and drink the herbal tea up to three times a day.
- Willow bark. Make an infusion by combining a teaspoon of this chopped or powdered plant in 240-300 ml of water. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Drink it 3 or 4 times a day.
Step 3. Apply essential oils to your temples
Studies have found that certain types of essential oils applied to the temples (near the eyes, on the sides of the face) can relieve tension headaches and sinus headaches. Make an isopropyl alcohol solution with 10% peppermint or eucalyptus oil and dab it on your temples with a sponge. To make the solution, mix 50ml of alcohol with 5ml of peppermint or eucalyptus oil.
Some research claims that this blend helps relax muscles and reduce sensitivity to sinus headaches
Step 4. Consider homeopathy
It is an alternative medicine practice that uses small amounts of natural substances to stimulate the body to heal itself. Those with chronic sinusitis usually use this remedy, as research has shown that most patients have seen improvement after two to three weeks. Homeopathy provides a wide range of specific treatments for nasal congestion and headache, including:
Arsenicum album, Belladonna, Hepar sulfuris, Iris versicolor, Kalium bichromicum, Mercurius, Natrum muriaticum, Pulsatilla, Silicea and Spigelia
Step 5. Try acupuncture
It is an ancient Chinese medicine practice that consists in inserting fine needles in certain points of the skin, which can restore the body's energy balance. To treat sinusitis, the practitioner will focus on inflammation of the sinuses (i.e. their moisture level) by strengthening the points along the spleen and stomach.
Do not follow this practice if you are pregnant, have bleeding problems or if you wear a pacemaker
Step 6. Contact a chiropractor
He will be able to help you by fine-tuning and manipulating the misalignment that has occurred in the body, although there is no evidence to prove the effectiveness of this practice. To act on the sinuses, the doctor will focus on the bones and mucous membranes that line the nasal passages.
Manipulation alters the joints to correct the misalignment that stimulates the nervous system. In this way the affected areas can recover their normal functions
Method 4 of 4: Read up on Sinus Headache
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms and causes
The first cause of this type of headache is inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinuses. Inflammation prevents drainage of secretions and mucus. This creates pressure and pain. The inflammation can be caused by some infections, allergies, infections in the upper dental arch or, although rarely, also by tumors (benign or malignant). Among the symptoms you can note:
- Pain and tenderness behind the forehead, on the cheeks, or around the eyes
- Pain that gets worse if you lean forward
- Pain in the teeth of the upper arch;
- More intense pain in the morning upon waking;
- Pain that can be moderate, severe and one-sided (on one side of the face only) or bilateral (on both sides).
Step 2. Check your risk factors
There are several variables that can induce sinus headaches, including:
- A previous history of allergies or asthma;
- Persistent colds, also known as upper respiratory infections
- Otitis;
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- Nasal polyps;
- Nasal deformities, such as a deviation of the septum
- Cleft palate (deformation of the palate);
- Weak immune system;
- Previous sinus surgery
- Climbing or flying at high altitudes;
- Traveling by plane during an upper respiratory infection
- Dental abscess or infection
- Swim or dive often.
Step 3. Learn the difference between migraine and sinus headache
Based on several studies, it appears that the majority of people with sinusitis also have undiagnosed migraines. Fortunately, there are several symptoms that can allow you to distinguish the two types of illness. For example migraine:
- Usually gets worse with noises or bright lights
- It is accompanied by nausea and vomiting;
- Pain occurs throughout the head and neck;
- It does not cause thick nasal discharge or loss of smell.
Step 4. Know when to see your doctor
If you suffer from headaches for more than 15 days a month or are forced to take over-the-counter pain medications often, you should visit. You should also go to the doctor if medications do not relieve severe pain or if it interferes with your normal daily activities (for example, you often have to give up school or work because of a headache). Go to the emergency room if, in addition to the discomfort created by sinusitis, you experience the following symptoms:
- Sudden and severe headache that lasts or increases in intensity for more than 24 hours
- Sudden severe headache that you might describe as "the worst I've ever had", although you tend to suffer from it often;
- Chronic or severe headache that begins after age 50
- Fever, neck stiffness, nausea and vomiting (these symptoms can suggest meningitis, a bacterial infection that can even be fatal);
- Loss of memory, confusion, loss of balance, difficulty with speech and vision, loss of strength, numbness or tingling in any of the limbs (these symptoms are typical of stroke);
- Severe pain in one eye, accompanied by redness of the eye itself (in this case it could also be acute angle-closure glaucoma).
Step 5. Undergo tests
Your doctor will be interested in your medical history and will give you a full medical examination to diagnose your condition. During the exam he will touch your face looking for soreness and swelling. He will also check the nose to see if it is inflamed, congested, or leaking secretions. You may also decide to undergo imaging tests, such as an x-ray, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. If he thinks allergies are the cause of your symptoms, he will refer you to the allergist for further investigation.
