Sinus migraine is a severe, recurring headache that one can feel on both sides of the head. Sinuses are hollow spaces of cavities that are filled with fluid or other substances and can be prone to an infection called sinusitis. This leads to sinus headaches and induces pain under the eyes, bridge of the nose, and cheekbones, among other areas. A lot of sinus headaches can also turn out to be migraines with nasal symptoms.

Symptoms

When the sinus cavity is infected, it is blocked with fluid or mucus, which leads to headaches. Maxillary and frontal sinus headaches are more common forms of the condition. As the maxillary sinus cavity is very close to the upper jaw, patients may also experience pain in the upper jaw. Here are common sinus migraine symptoms:

Pain: Pressure or pain near the sinus area, such as the forehead, near the cheek, and behind the ear, can be observed when affected by sinus headaches. People usually experience chronic pain, and it often increases when the head faces downward, like when one is bending down. The pain eases out when the patient lies down.

Stuffy nose: People with sinus headaches can feel that their nose is stuffy or blocked. This can be accompanied by congestion or a runny nose. The nasal discharge can be transparent, yellow, or green. The condition is often associated with allergies as well.

Decreased sense of smell: People with the condition can experience reduced or no sense of smell.
Fever: In cases of infection, mild fever often accompanies the other symptoms.

Nausea: With migraines, one can feel nauseated or can vomit repeatedly.

Dizziness: The condition can make people disoriented and dizzy while walking.

Sensitivity to light and sound: In severe cases of sinus migraine, patients are advised to stay in a dark room with no sound till the symptoms subside. This is because harsh lights and noises can trigger a severe attack or aggravate the symptoms.

Causes

Sinus headaches are brought on by the following causes:

Nasal allergy: An underlying allergic reaction that affects the nasal cavity, such as an allergy to pollen or dust. As the allergy progresses, inflammation of the sinus cavity is common.

Bacterial infections: Infections caused by Streptococcus pneumonia or a staphylococci strain can also cause sinus cavity infection, resulting in a sinus migraine.
Deviated septum: Structural deformity such as a deviated septum in the nose can obstruct the nasal passage. Due to this, foreign particles get stuck and accumulate over time, resulting in an infection.

Viral infection: Any viral or fungal infection can also induce sinus headaches. Common cold can also be a cause of the condition.

Diagnosis

First, doctors might recommend X-rays to help check for any structural deformities that may cause headaches. If there is fluid accumulated in the sinus cavity, it can also be observed in the X-ray. CT scan is also an excellent choice to check for information on the soft tissues of the sinus cavity. Further, an endoscopy may be used to diagnose sinus migraines.

Treatment options

Doctors can prescribe various sinus headache treatment options to provide symptom relief. In most cases, the cause of sinus is severe allergy. So, the doctor may prescribe antihistamines, which target allergy-related symptoms and helps relieve sinus headaches. Further, with the headaches, the nose and forehead can be filled with fluid or pus, which can cause congestion. So, decongestants may be prescribed to clear the sinus cavities. In cases of severe pain, pain relieving options are recommended. Advanced treatment options may be recommended to manage severe sinusitis, where the inflammation cannot be managed using decongestants.

Remedies to try

There is no permanent sinus migraine cure as migraines do not have a definitive cause. However, one can prevent and manage the symptoms using the following remedies:

Cold packs: As the sinus headaches develop, the accumulation of fluid in the cavity can exert immense pressure on the surrounding muscles. So, trying to relax the muscles can help release the pain. For this, one can try applying a cold pack to the neck, cheeks, and back of the head.

Hot packs: Those with a history of sinus-related issues and symptoms like a runny nose can use hot packs to find relief. The hot pack can not only relax the muscles but will also help in clearing the cavity to get rid of the accumulated fluid.

Avoiding bright lights : Staying in a dark room and minimizing interaction with harsh lights can often help reduce the pain.

Steam inhalation: When affected by headaches and congestion, one should opt for steam inhalation at least three to five times every day. Further, one can also add eucalyptus oil to water to help clear the congestion faster.

Nasal irrigation: In case one has mucus lodged in the throat, they can use nasal irrigation tools like Neti pots to loosen the mucus and get rid of the congestion.