The Real Sinus Headache

Sinusitis is the condition of having one's sinuses inflamed. Sinus inflammation may be a result of but not limited to bacterial or viral infections or allergic reactions.

Symptoms of sinusitis include a sinus headache that may affect several parts of the head including the face - jaws and teeth. During a sinusitis attack - the sinus headache may be localized to one or two pairs of inflamed sinuses but in severe cases - all sinuses are swollen and therefore cause a sinus headache that can be felt in the forehead between the eyebrows - upper jaw and teeth along with tender cheeks and face - the sides of the nose.

In severe rare cases - one may also experience ear aches - neck and top of the head pains as part of the sinusitis headache symptoms. It is important to take note of all the symptoms of sinusitis because a lot of individuals only think that they have sinus headaches when in fact - they are actually suffering from migraines instead.

It is important to note that sinusitis headache is not the only symptom of sinusitis. If it is indeed sinusitis - you will experience inflammation and tenderness of tissues around the eyes resulting in swollen eyelids and red eyes. Aside from this - there can be a loss of smell from a congested nasal passage.

Furthermore - aside from sinus headaches and other symptoms already mentioned here - sinusitis could trigger fever and cough. The cough can sometimes be a result of a post nasal drip from the draining of the sinuses that irritate the upper windpipe which causes it to be sore and encourages us to cough as a result. Sinusitis is also always accompanied by general weakness and tired feeling. 

While it is true that up to 97% of individuals who think they suffer from sinusitis headache symptoms are mistaken because they are actually suffering from migraine - it is very important to make the correct distinction between the two.

First - one needs to be properly diagnosed for illness specific medication treatment. It can be quite frustrating to be taking sinus medication to treat sinus headache symptoms when in fact - the headache is cause by a migraine.

With this said - one must never take the sinus headache symptoms for granted and haphazardly assume that it is a migraine. In some rare instances of complications - sinus headache symptoms may be a signal of acute sinusitis - which results in brain infection.It is therefore very important to get the proper diagnosis and treatment whatever the cause of the headache.