The Symptoms Of A Sinus Headache

Many patients who believe they have symptoms of a sinus headache seek medical treatment only to find their pain is caused by either migraine or tension headache.

Before you add up symptoms of a sinus headache, take a look at the math. In one recent study of 30 subjects with self-diagnosed sinus headache, 97% (29) described symptoms that were indicative of migraine. Twenty-six of the thirty characterized their headache as interfering with the quality of their life, which is one of the most prevalent symptoms of migraine.

Aside from migraine, other underlying health problems can cause headache. The truth is that many types of headache are symptoms of severe medical problems that really need to be ruled out by your doctor. In fact, although there are no real symptoms of a sinus headache, the true sinus headache is a symptom of acute or chronic sinusitis. While sinus headache is a symptom rather than a disease, there are a few conditions that distinguish it from migraine.

Your symptoms of a sinus headache may instead be those of migraine if:

Your headache makes you schedule your day around it, puts you in bed, causes you to take off from work or school.

Your headache makes you nauseous.

Your headache is throbbing and on one side of your head.

Your headache makes you sensitive to strong light, noise, or odors.

Your symptoms of a sinus headache may be those of sinusitis if:

It is accompanied by dull or severe pressure sensitivity in your face or head. (Behind the eyes is common.)

Your face is tender to the touch

Your headache is worse when you awaken

Your headache worsens when you move from a warm area to a cool one (or the reverse)

Your headache began during or after a cold

You have pharyngitis (post nasal drip with sore throat)

Discharge from your nose is thick and yellow-green

You have nasal congestion