Dr.Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
The following are remedies and treatments for a sinus headache:
Drink plenty of fluids
Humidify the air
Use of and OTC salt water nasal spray for
congestion
OTC medication such as Sudafed
OTC nasal sprays (for short-term use
only) such as Afrin
Nasal steroids for people with allergies
OTC pain relief such as ibuprofen or
acetaminophen
What are the sinuses?
Sinuses of the face are cavities or spaces within the bones that help
humidify air and secrete mucus to help with air filtration. Additionally, they
contribute to the strength of the skull and its ability to resist trauma and
allow more resonance in the voice.
The sinuses are often referred to as the paranasal sinuses because of their
location and connection to the back of the nose. The sinuses develop as air sacs
within the bones of the skull and are named by their location:
Frontal sinus: located above the eyes within the frontal bone of the skull
Maxillary sinus: located beneath the eyes under the cheekbones within the
maxilla bone of the face
Ethmoid sinus: located in the ethmoid bone separating the eyes from the
nose
Sphenoid sinus: located in the sphenoid bone at the base of the skull
What is a sinus headache?
Should the ducts that connect the sinuses to the back of the nose become
inflamed, the ability of the sinuses to drain is decreased, and pressure builds
within the affected sinus. There may also be associated swelling and
inflammation of the lining of the sinuses, possibly resulting in increased mucus
and fluid secretion. This increase in fluid and pressure causes the pain of a
sinus headache. The term sinusitis is used to describe inflammation of the sinus
(sinus + itis = inflammation).
What causes a sinus headache?
While a sinus infection (sinusitis) can be due to a viral infection
much like a cold that causes swelling in the nose and decreases drainage of the
sinuses, an allergic reaction (such as hay fever) may also begin the process of inflammation. As with any
inflammation, there is swelling that in this case decreases the ability of the
sinuses to drain and increased inflammatory fluid production (just like the
weeping observed with a skin injury). The combination of more fluid and less
drainage leads to the pain and pressure of a sinus headache.
Nature does not like stagnant fluid, and after a period of time bacteria and
viruses can travel from the nasal cavities into the fluid and cause an
infection. Less commonly, fungal infections may cause a sinus infection, and even more rarely,
tumors can invade the sinus.
The maxillary sinus sits underneath the eye within the cheekbone. The upper
teeth attach to the lower portion of this bone, and dental infections can travel
up the root of the tooth and infect the sinus directly.
Migraine is usually periodic attacks of headaches on one or both sides of the head. These may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity of the eyes to light (photophobia), increased sensitivity to sound (phonophobia), dizziness, blurred vision, cognitive disturbances, and other symptoms. Treatments for migraine headache include therapies that may or may not involve medications.
Most sore throats are caused by viruses or mechanical causes (such as mouth breathing) and can be treated successfully at home. However, a person should be seen by a health care professional if they have a sore throat that has a rapid onset, and is associated with a fever or tenderness of the front of the neck; a sore throat that causes the person to have difficulty swallowing (not just pain swallowing) or breathing; or if a sore throat lasts for more than a week.
Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are considered primary headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by disease. Headache symptoms vary with the headache type. Over-the-counter pain relievers provide short-term relief for most headaches.
Blood clots can occur in the venous and arterial vascular system. Blood clots can form in the heart, legs, arteries, veins, bladder, urinary tract and uterus. Risk factors for blood clots include high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and family history. Symptoms of a blood clot depend on the location of the clot. Some blood clots are a medical emergency. Blood clots are treated depending upon the cause of the clot. Blood clots can be prevented by lowering the risk factors for developing blood clots.
Sinus infection (sinusitis) signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally with antibiotics and at times, home remedies.
Lymph nodes help the body's immune system fight infections. Causes of swollen lymph nodes (glands) may include infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasites). Symptoms of swollen lymph nodes vary greatly. They can sometimes be tender, painful or disfiguring. The treatment of swollen lymph nodes depends upon the cause.
An upper respiratory infection is a contagious infection of the structures of the upper respiratory tract, which includes the sinuses, nasal passages, pharynx, and larynx. Common causes of an upper respiratory infection include bacteria and viruses such as rhinoviruses, group A streptococci, influenza, respiratory syncytial, whooping cough, diphtheria, and Epstein-Barre. Examples of symptoms of upper respiratory infection include sneezing, sore throat, cough, fever, and nasal congestion. Treatment of upper respiratory infection are generally with OTC medication and home remedies.
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
The common cold (viral upper respiratory tract infection) is a contagious illness that may be caused by various viruses. Symptoms include a stuffy nose, headache, cough, sore throat, and maybe a fever. Antibiotics have no effect upon the common cold, and there is no evidence that zinc and vitamin C are effective treatments.
A tension headache is a headache previously thought to be caused by contraction of the muscles in the back of the neck, on the scalp, and sometimes in the jaw. The term tension-type headache is now preferred, reflecting the fact that research has shown that these headaches may not be related to muscle tension.
Middle ear infection or inflammation (otitis media) is inflammation fo the middle ear. There are two types of otitis media, acute and chronic. Acute otitis media is generally short in duration, and chronic otitis media generally lasts several weeks. Seventy-five percent of children in the U.S. suffer from otitis media at some point. Treatment depends upon the type (chronic or acute).
Encephalitis is a brain inflammation that causes sudden fever, vomiting, headache, light sensitivity, stiff neck and back, drowsiness, and irritability. Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of meningitis include high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an irritation of the nose caused by pollen and is associated with the following allergic symptoms: nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, eye and nose itching, and tearing eyes. Avoidance of known allergens is the recommended treatment, but if this is not possible, antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays may help alleviate symptoms.
A deviate septum is a condition in which the bone and cartilage that divide the nasal cavity of the nose in half (nasal septum) is significantly off center or crooked. The causes of a deviated septum can be congenital, or develop after a trauma or injury to the nose. Symptoms of a deviated septum include nasal congestion, recurrent sinus infections, nosebleeds, headache, facial pain, postnasal drip, snoring, and loud breathing. A deviated septum can be relieved with medications, and if necessary surgery, called a septoplasty.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes
(called meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of encephalitis or meningitis should
see a doctor immediately.
What is encephalitis?
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. There are many types of encephalitis, most of which are caused by infections. Most often these infections are caused by viruses. In addition to infections, encephalitis can also be caused by certain diseases that result in an inflammation of the brain.
What are encephalitis symptoms and signs?
The signs and symptoms of encephalitis can range from very mild symptoms to potentially life-threatening. Signs and symptoms of encephalitis include sudden fever, headache, vomiting,
visual sensitivity to light, stiff neck an...