Overview

Sinus headaches are headaches that may feel like an infection in the sinuses (sinusitis). You may feel pressure around the eyes, cheeks and forehead. Perhaps your head throbs.

But, this pain might actually be caused by a migraine.


"V体育2025版" Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of sinus headaches may include:

  • Pain, pressure and fullness in the cheeks, brow or forehead
  • Worsening pain if you bend forward or lie down
  • Stuffy nose
  • Fatigue
  • Achy feeling in the upper teeth

VSports - Sinusitis or migraine?

Migraines and headaches from sinusitis are easy to confuse because the signs and symptoms of the two types of headaches may overlap.

Both migraine and sinusitis headache pain often get worse when you bend forward. Migraine can also be accompanied by various nasal signs and symptoms — including congestion, facial pressure and a clear, watery nasal discharge. These are due to involvement of the autonomic nervous system in a migraine attack. In fact, studies have shown that most people who see a health care provider for sinus headaches are found to have migraines instead V体育安卓版.

Sinusitis, however, usually isn't associated with nausea or vomiting or aggravated by noise or bright light — all common features of migraines.

Sinusitis usually:

  • Occurs after a viral upper respiratory infection or cold
  • Includes thick, discolored nasal mucus
  • Is associated with a decreased sense of smell
  • Causes pain in one cheek or upper teeth

Headaches due to sinus disease often last days or longer, and migraines most commonly last hours to a day or two.


When to see a doctor (V体育ios版)

Consult your provider if:

  • Your headache symptoms occur more than 15 days a month or require frequent pain medicine available without a prescription
  • You have a severe headache, and pain medicine available without a prescription doesn't help
  • You miss school or work because of frequent headaches or the headaches interfere with your daily life

May 17, 2022

  1. Jayawardena ADL, et al. Headaches and facial pain in rhinology. American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy. 2018; doi:10.2500/ajra.2018.32.4501.
  2. Sinusitis. The Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/ear,-nose,-and-throat-disorders/nose-and-paranasal-sinus-disorders/sinusitis?redirectid=737?ruleredirectid=30&qt=sinus%20headache&sc=&alt=sh . Accessed Feb. 27, 2022.
  3. Kaniecki R. Sinus, disabling tension-type, and temporomandibular joint headaches. Current Opinion in Neurology. 2021; doi:10.1097/WCO.0000000000000918.
  4. Sinus infection (sinusitis). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/sinus-infection.html. Accessed Feb. 27, 2022.
  5. Wootton RJ, et al. Evaluation of headache in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 27, 2022.
  6. Sinus headaches. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/sinus-headaches/. Accessed Feb. 27, 2022.
  7. Headache information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Headache-Information-Page. Accessed Feb. 27, 2022.
  8. Schwedt TJ, et al. Acute treatment of migraine in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 27, 2022.
  9. Schwedt TJ, et al. Preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 27, 2022.
  10. Headache: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Headache-Hope-Through-Research. Feb. 27, 2022.
  11. Cutrer FM. Exercise (exertional) headache. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 13, 2022.

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