Chronic Sinus Headache - Symptoms of Infection Or Migraine?
Many people suffer from chronic sinus headaches.
Symptoms of pain, pressure, congestion, and irritated eyes are common.
There is nothing more uncomfortable than having a constant feeling of pressure and congestion in your sinuses, especially when over-the-counter pain relievers and decongestant seem to do nothing to relieve your pain.
When the obvious solution does not work - what is the next step? It turns out that most people who believe they suffer from chronic sinus infections are actually experiencing the symptoms of migraine.
Migraine attacks can irritate nerves in the facial regions and also cause swelling in the underlying blood vessels.
When the blood vessels around your sinuses become swollen and enlarged, this can irritate the surrounding tissue causing the sensation of pain and tenderness.
Additional side effects can include congestion as the sinuses will become narrowed due to inflammation.
How can you tell the difference? n general, sinus infections are not an ongoing condition.
Sinus infections should also be accompanied by fever, swollen lymph nodes, and green or yellow nasal discharge.
If all you are experiencing is pain and stuffiness, consider the migraine alternative.
Migraines that cause sinus swelling can also create the perfect environment for the normal bacteria in the sinuses to breed.
This can in turn actually cause a sinus infection.
What are the treatment options? If you are experiencing migraines you need a treatment plan that will address the cause of your pain, not just the symptoms.
Over-the-counter pain killers and decongestants only treat the symptoms of pain and stuffiness.
Over time these treatments become less effective and have been known to cause increased pain in the form of rebound headaches.
Migraine attacks are the result of excited neurons in the brain which leads to an inflammatory response of the blood vessels.
Preventative medication is commonly recommended for anyone experiencing more than four migraines per month.
If this sounds like you, then please speak with your doctor to explore your options.
For people experiencing fewer migraines, abortive medication - medication that stops migraines as they begin - like triptans, can be particularly effective.
Keep in mind that a visit to your doctor is necessary for proper diagnosis and treatment.
What else can you do? Many people have good luck using home humidifiers to keep their sinuses moist.
Other people experience great results from irrigating their sinuses with a saline solution using either a neti pot or specially designed squeeze bottle.
Both products are easily available at most pharmacies.
Symptoms of pain, pressure, congestion, and irritated eyes are common.
There is nothing more uncomfortable than having a constant feeling of pressure and congestion in your sinuses, especially when over-the-counter pain relievers and decongestant seem to do nothing to relieve your pain.
When the obvious solution does not work - what is the next step? It turns out that most people who believe they suffer from chronic sinus infections are actually experiencing the symptoms of migraine.
Migraine attacks can irritate nerves in the facial regions and also cause swelling in the underlying blood vessels.
When the blood vessels around your sinuses become swollen and enlarged, this can irritate the surrounding tissue causing the sensation of pain and tenderness.
Additional side effects can include congestion as the sinuses will become narrowed due to inflammation.
How can you tell the difference? n general, sinus infections are not an ongoing condition.
Sinus infections should also be accompanied by fever, swollen lymph nodes, and green or yellow nasal discharge.
If all you are experiencing is pain and stuffiness, consider the migraine alternative.
Migraines that cause sinus swelling can also create the perfect environment for the normal bacteria in the sinuses to breed.
This can in turn actually cause a sinus infection.
What are the treatment options? If you are experiencing migraines you need a treatment plan that will address the cause of your pain, not just the symptoms.
Over-the-counter pain killers and decongestants only treat the symptoms of pain and stuffiness.
Over time these treatments become less effective and have been known to cause increased pain in the form of rebound headaches.
Migraine attacks are the result of excited neurons in the brain which leads to an inflammatory response of the blood vessels.
Preventative medication is commonly recommended for anyone experiencing more than four migraines per month.
If this sounds like you, then please speak with your doctor to explore your options.
For people experiencing fewer migraines, abortive medication - medication that stops migraines as they begin - like triptans, can be particularly effective.
Keep in mind that a visit to your doctor is necessary for proper diagnosis and treatment.
What else can you do? Many people have good luck using home humidifiers to keep their sinuses moist.
Other people experience great results from irrigating their sinuses with a saline solution using either a neti pot or specially designed squeeze bottle.
Both products are easily available at most pharmacies.