• Sinus headaches and migraines are often confused as the same condition.Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Lachlan Hardy
  
  

Significance

• Sinus headaches are caused by nasal congestion resulting from allergies or a virus clogging the sinuses, whereas migraines are triggered by emotional distress, hormonal imbalances, chemical sensitivities and hereditary gene mutations.
  
  

Function

• Sinus infections that cause headaches result from inflammation and pressure due to excess fluids. Migraines physically result from swelling due to blood vessel expansion, neurological conditions or vertebrae subluxation.
  
  

Identification

• Sinus headaches are accompanied by a runny nose, discharge, ear infections and congestion, whereas migraines produce symptoms of aura, causing light and sound sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion and temporary paralysis.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• Sinus headaches respond to antibiotics and antihistamines within 24 to 48 hours, unlike migraines that occur cyclically throughout a person's life, requiring beta blockers, antidepressants, hormone therapy and anti-inflammatory medications.
  
  

Misconceptions

• The misnomer, "sinus migraine" may have been mistakenly coined to describe a dual condition of sinus headache and migraine, potentially caused by coincidental pain, menstruation, lack of sleep or stress during a sinus infection.