What are Sinus Headaches?

Sinus headaches are headaches that may feel like an infection in the sinuses (sinusitis). You may feel pressure around your eyes, cheeks, and forehead.

A constant throbbing or dull headache with deep facial pain is typical of a sinus headache. Chronic inflammation in the sinuses may obstruct normal sinus drainage and circulation and cause facial pain, even in the absence of an acute infection. Environmental allergens and irritants, including smoke, chemicals, and fumes, may trigger or exacerbate sinus headaches.

Dr. Monica Tadros specializes in sinus headache treatments for her patients in Bergen County, NJ and Upper East Side, NYC area. Her surgery centers are conveniently located near 300 Grand Ave, Englewood, NJ 07631 and 911 PARK AVE., NEW YORK, NY 10075. Please contact us today to schedule your no-obligation sinus headache consultation by calling one of our Patient Advisors at NYC: (201) 408-5430 or NJ: (201) 408-5430.

Sinus Headache In Depth

Different Types of Headaches
The maxillary sinuses are located behind the cheekbone and can cause a dull achy pain in the cheeks that may radiate to the teeth or ears. The ethmoid sinuses are located between the eyes and can cause pain that radiates to the eye area.  The frontal sinuses are located in the forehead and can cause frontal headaches and pressure.  The sphenoid sinuses are located in the center of the skull and can cause pain radiating to the top and back of the head.

Sinus headaches may also be accompanied by nasal drainage, fullness or pressure in the ears, or fever. Sinus headaches may be confused with migraine headaches. Unlike migraines, nausea, vomiting or photophobia (sensitivity to light) are not associated with sinus headaches.

How do I treat a sinus headache?

  • Avoidance of allergic or irritant triggers
  • Saline sinus irrigations can help clear the sinuses
  • Humidification or a steam vaporizer can restore moisture
  • Nasal decongestants and mucolytics can help inflamed sinuses drain

Persistent headaches (greater than 12 weeks) despite medical therapy may indicate obstructed or narrow sinus drainage tracts and a CT scan is recommended. Balloon Sinuplasty may effectively treat blocked sinuses and reverse chronic sinus inflammation. Read more about Balloon Sinuplasty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Sinuses?

Sinuses are air-filled cavities (spaces) located in the forehead, cheekbones, and behind the bridge of the nose. The sinuses produce a thin mucus that drains out of the channels of the nose. When a sinus becomes inflamed, usually as the result of allergies or an infection, the inflammation will prevent the outflow of mucus and cause a pain similar to that of a headache.

Sinus headaches are headaches that may feel like an infection in the sinuses (sinusitis). You may feel pressure around your eyes, cheeks, and forehead. Perhaps your head throbs.

However, many people who assume they have headaches from sinusitis, including many who have received such a diagnosis, actually have migraines or tension headaches.

The maxillary sinuses are located behind the cheekbone and can cause a dull achy pain in the cheeks that may radiate to the teeth or ears.  The ethmoid sinuses are located between the eyes and can cause pain that radiates to the eye area.  The frontal sinuses are located in the forehead and can cause frontal headaches and pressure.  The sphenoid sinuses are located in the center of the skull and can cause pain radiating to the top and back of the head.

Sinus headaches may also be accompanied by nasal drainage, fullness or pressure in the ears, or fever. Sinus headaches may be confused with migraine headaches.  Unlike migraines, nausea, vomiting or photophobia (sensitivity to light) are not associated with sinus headaches.

What Causes a Sinus Headache?

Sinus headaches can be caused by sinus congestion and inflammation, called sinusitis. Sinusitis, in turn, is caused by either a respiratory infection, such as a cold or flu, or allergies, like hay fever. Healthy sinuses allow mucus to drain and air to circulate throughout the nasal passages.

An allergy or allergic response is generally not a direct cause of a sinus headache but can contribute to its occurrence. Allergies cause symptoms such as sinus congestion, which can lead to headache pain. If you have allergies, the treatment for your allergy can relieve your allergy symptoms, but it may not help with your headache pain. The two conditions often must be treated separately.

Sinus headaches are most likely to occur as a result of allergies, when grass, pollen, ragweed counts are high, or following exposure to other allergens. However, headache specialists tend to agree that allergies are usually not the cause of severe or recurrent headaches such as tension headaches or migraines. You should see the best sinus doctor in NYC to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. Medication should be used as directed.

What is Sinus Pressure?

Sinus headache facts. Sinuses in the face are air the spaces that develop from the nasal passages and help with air humidification and mucus secretion. Inflammation of the sinuses may decrease the ability for the mucus to drain, increasing pressure within the sinuses and leading to a sinus headache.

What is a Sinus Disease?

Chronic sinusitis is a common condition in which the cavities around nasal passages (sinuses) become inflamed and swollen — for at least eight weeks, despite treatment attempts. Also known as chronic rhinosinusitis, this condition interferes with drainage and causes mucus to build up.

Consultation

Interested in learning more about sinus headache treatment in Bergen County and NJ? Please contact our office of sinus infection doctor, Dr. Monica Tadros to schedule your no-obligation consultation. You may also call our leading plastic surgeon at NYC: (201) 408-5430 or NJ: (201) 408-5430 to speak to one of our Patient Advisors.