Sinus Headaches

Sinus headaches are one of the most frequent complaints reported by patients with chronic nose and sinus issues in Southern California. Sinus headaches are associated with swelling of the membranes lining the sinus spaces or at times due to turbulent airflow through the nasal cavities due to anatomical abnormalities. The discomfort often occurs both above and below the eyes, in the cheek regions or in the upper teeth (disguised as a toothache). Sinus headaches tend to worsen as you bend forward or lie down. They can often be set off by severe nasal congestion. The key to relieving the symptoms is to reduce sinus swelling and inflammation and facilitate mucous drainage from the sinuses.

There are several at-home steps that help prevent sinus headache or alleviate its pain. They include:

• Breathing moist air: Relief for a sinus headache can be achieved by humidifying the dry air environment. This can be done by using a steam vaporizer or cool-mist humidifier, steam from a basin of hot water, or steam from a hot shower.
• Nasal irrigation: When nasal irrigation or rinse is performed, mucus, allergens and irritants such as pollens, dust particles, pollutants and bacteria are washed away, reducing inflammation of the mucous membranes. Normal mucosa will fight infections and allergies better and will reduce the symptoms. Nasal irrigation helps shrink the nasal and sinus membranes and thus increases drainage and helps with the mucociliary flow within the nose. There are several over-the-counter nasal rinse products available.
• Over-the-counter medications: Some over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are highly effective in reducing sinus headache pain. The primary ingredient in most OTC pain relievers is aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or a combination of them. The best way to choose a pain reliever is by determining which of these ingredients works best for you. One must avoid any OTC nasal sprays (i.e. Afrin) as they have addictive properties with significant side-effects.
• Decongestants/Intranasal Sprays: Sinus pressure headaches caused by allergies may be treated with decongestants, antihistamines and/or intranasal steroids as well.
• Alternative medicine: Chinese herbalists use Magnolia Flower as a remedy for clogged sinus and nasal passages. In conjunction with other herbs, such as angelica, mint, and chrysanthemum, it is often recommended for upper respiratory tract infections and sinus headaches, although its effectiveness for these problems has not been scientifically confirmed. Acupuncture has also been shown to relieve sinus headaches in some patients with frequent daily headaches.

If none of the above measures are effective for the treatment of your sinus headaches then an evaluation by Dr. Cohen at the Southern California Sinus Institute would be appropriate to determine if you have chronic sinusitis or nasal obstruction as the cause of your headaches and if surgical therapy would be warranted. Surgical treatment options utilized by Dr. Cohen to improve sinus headaches aim to improve ventilation of the sinus cavities and mucociliary flow within the nose and sinuses. These procedures include septoplasty, submucous resections of the turbinates, minimally invasive image guided sinus surgery (MIGSS)™ and balloon sinuplasty™ if deemed necessary.