Sinus Headache (Sinusitis Headache)

Sinus headache is also called sinusitis headache. Sinus headache is characterized by sinusitis (sinusitis) and can cause a headache that is so heavy and depressing that it can sometimes be interpreted as migraines or stress headaches.

Sinus headache: When the sinuses cause you headaches

Sinus headaches occur due to elevated pressure inside your sinuses. The sinuses are air-filled areas inside the forehead, jawbone and behind the nasal bone (see illustration). When these become inflamed due to an allergic reaction or infection, they can swell and produce more mucus and snot. This overproduction can cause the ducts responsible for draining away to become clogged - and then the pressure rises quickly inside the sinuses and causes severe headaches.

Where are the sinuses?

Illustration showing the location of the four sinus regions.

Affected? Join the Facebook group «The Headache Network - Norway: Research, New Findings and Cohesion»For the latest updates on research and media writing about this disorder. Here, members can also get help and support - at all times of the day - through the exchange of their own experiences and advice.

Pain Relief: How to relieve sinus headache?

To relieve sinus headaches (sinusitis headaches), we recommend that you lie down a little (about 20-30 minutes) with a so-called «headache / migraine mask»Over the eyes (mask that you have in the freezer and which is specially adapted to relieve migraines, neck headaches and stress headaches - it can also be warmed up to stimulate more blood circulation towards tired and swollen eyes) - this will reduce some of the pain signals and calm down some of your tensions. Click on the image or link below to read more about it. Regular use of saline solution is also recommended to prevent this condition. Nasal spray (from the pharmacy) may also be necessary when the condition has really settled.

For long-term improvement, it is also recommended to regularly use saline solution for flushing, as well as the use of trigger point balls towards tense muscles in the shoulders and neck (you know you have some!) and exercise, as well as stretching. Meditation and yoga can also be useful measures to reduce mental stress in everyday life. Light, regular self-massage of the facial muscles can also be helpful and relieve some pressure against the sinuses located below the eyes and next to the nose.

Read more: Pain Relieving Headache and Migraine Mask (Opens in new window)

Pain presentation: Symptoms of sinus headache (sinusitis headache)

It is common for sinusitis to cause a headache that feels like a deep and depressing pain in the cheeks, forehead and around the nose, as well as in the transition between the forehead and nose. The pain will usually be worse if you move your head suddenly (for example, bending forward) or doing physical activity. Symptoms and signs of sinus headache may vary slightly, but some typical and characteristic symptoms are:

• Mild to moderate fever (in other types of headaches you would normally not have a fever)
• Slight swelling of the face and around the sinuses
• Pressure over the sinuses (see illustration)
• Difficulty concentrating
• A feeling of constant pressure in the ears
• Difficult or impossible to equalize pressure in the ears
• Muscle soreness and discomfort - especially in the transition forehead / nose and above large chewing muscle (Masseter)

Unlike migraines then you will not have neurological symptoms of sinus headache. Examples of nerve symptoms that may occur in migraine include muscular weakness and blurred vision.

Epidemiology: Who gets a sinus headache? Who is most affected?

All can be affected by sinus headaches, but as mentioned earlier, the most common causes are allergic and inflammatory reactions (eg due to flu and colds). Therefore, those with reduced immune system and those affected by allergies are most often affected by sinus headaches.

Cause: Why do you get sinus headache (sinusitis headache)?

The two main causes of sinus headaches are allergic reactions and inflammation / infections (eg due to influenza virus). This causes pressure changes in the air pockets we call sinuses and leads to a characteristic headache presentation. If you are frequently bothered, there may also be the presence of polyps in the sinuses - in some cases it may be an option to remove these to provide better room and reduce the frequency of this type of headache. One positive thing (especially for your bed partner) is that this can also reduce snoring.

Exercises and stretching: What exercises can help with sinus headaches?

An important exercise that we would recommend is a light massage of the facial muscles that is directly related to the sinuses. It can also feel good to stretch your neck and shoulders, as these tend to stretch extra when you have a headache. We recommend that you get a good routine that includes daily, customized, stretching of the neck.

Try these: - 4 Stretching exercises against Stiff Neck

We also recommend these 5 specific jaw exercises.

Treatment of sinus headaches

When we talk about the treatment of sinus headaches, it is actually most symptom relief that applies - as well as opening up the blockages inside the sinuses that cause the poor drainage of mucus and snot.

• Medical treatment: Allergy tablets and their clever use can prevent allergic reactions and thus prevent sinus reactions.
• Muscle Knut Treatment: Muscular treatment can reduce muscle tension and muscle pain in the neck and shoulders.
• Joint Treatment: An expert in muscles and joints (eg chiropractor) will work with both muscles and joints to give you functional improvement and symptom relief. This treatment will be adapted to each individual patient based on a thorough examination, which also takes into account the patient's overall health situation. The treatment will most likely consist of joint corrections, muscle work, ergonomic / posture counseling and other forms of treatment that are appropriate for the individual patient.
• Saline solution (drug-free): Pharmacies and stores provide drug-free saline solutions (often added to aloe vera) that you can use to maintain good function in the nose and nasal passages. Regular use can also work preventively.
• Pain Relieving Headache and Migraine Mask: Such masks can be both frozen and heated - this means that they can be used for more acute pain (cooling) and more preventive (heating and increased blood circulation).
• Yoga and meditation: Yoga, mindfulness and meditation can help lower the level of mental stress in the body. A good measure for those who stress too much in everyday life.

Self-help: What can I do even for muscle and joint pain?

As mentioned, it is often the case that we tense extra in muscles and that pain fibers become more sensitive when we have headaches. We always recommend that self-treatment is one of the main measures in the fight against pain - with regular self-massage (eg with trigger point ball) and stretching can help prevent pain in the muscles and joints.

1. General exercise, specific exercise, stretching and activity are recommended, but stay within the pain limit. Two walks a day of 20-40 minutes make good for the whole body and sore muscles.

2. Trigger point / massage balls we strongly recommend - they come in different sizes so you can hit well even on all parts of the body. There is no better self help than this! We recommend the following (click the image below) - which is a complete set of 5 trigger point / massage balls in different sizes:

3. Training: Specific training with training tricks of various opponents (such as this complete set of 6 knits of different resistance) can help you train strength and function. Knit training often involves more specific training, which in turn can lead to more effective injury prevention and pain reduction.

4. Pain Relief - Cooling: Biofreeze is a natural product that can relieve pain by cooling the area gently. Cooling is especially recommended when the pain is very severe. When they have calmed down then heat treatment is recommended - it is therefore advisable to have both cooling and heating available.

5. Pain Relief - Heating: Warming up tight muscles can increase blood circulation and reduce pain. We recommend the following reusable hot / cold gasket (click here to read more about it) - which can be used both for cooling (can be frozen) and for heating (can be heated in the microwave).

6. Prevention and healing: Compression noise like that like this can increase blood circulation to the affected area, thereby speeding up the natural healing of injured or worn muscles and tendons.

Recommended products for pain relief in pain

Biofreeze (Cold / cryotherapy)

Read more here: - This You Should Know About Fibromyalgia

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