What is the difference between a sinus headache and a migraine
Do you have a painful headache that is constantly accompanied by symptoms such as severe congestion? This means that you mostly suffer from a sinus infection causing you a lot of annoying symptoms that we will explain throughout this article and what is the cause of it and the difference between sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, as well as the difference between sinus headache and migraine, and how sinus infections can be treated either by means. Natural or household, so follow this article with us.
What is the difference between migraine and sinus headache?
It is always difficult to determine whether a person suffers from a migraine or is it caused by sinusitis, especially since there are many symptoms that are similar between them, such as:
• stuffy nose.
• The presence of pressure or pain in the cheeks or face.
• Runny nose.
Watery eyes.
Despite these similar symptoms, there are specific symptoms that are present when a migraine is:
Blocked appetite.
Increased sensitivity to light or surrounding sounds.
Feeling sick.
Dizziness and a feeling of tiredness.
What are the sinuses?
They are air cavities located behind the cheekbones, between the eyes and behind the forehead, where the mucous sinuses secrete a light mucous fluid that helps prevent infection and germs from entering the nose, and in many cases a person may suffer from allergies or be exposed to bacteria that cause an increase in the thickness of the mucus This leads to a blockage of the sinuses, and the mucus thickens in the case of a cold, and as a result, bacteria and other germs are stimulated to accumulate in the sinuses, causing a bacterial or viral infection.
In the event that the infection was viral, it may not need treatment, because it often disappears after a week or two, unlike a bacterial infection, which may need a doctor if it becomes infected.
Sinus symptoms
There are some annoying symptoms that a person experiences as soon as a sinus infection occurs, including the following:
• The mucus becomes yellow or green with its thickness.
• cough.
• Fever.
• a headache.
Swelling around the eyes, cheeks, forehead, and nose.
Decreased sense of taste and smell.
Bad breath.
Runny nose and stuffy nose.
• cough.
• Sore throat and may cough often.
• teeth pain.
• The runny nose slips down the back of the throat.
• Pain in the face and nose.
• pain in the ear
Causes of sinusitis
In general, sinusitis occurs as a result of various factors and causes, but the main reason for its occurrence, as we mentioned previously, is the accumulation of fluid in the air sinuses and thus germs grow, but there are some risk factors that increase the possibility of infection, including the following:
A curved septum: There are some people who suffer from a deviated septum, which affects the sinus passages, and thus this worsens the symptoms.
Nasal polyps: where there are some tissue growths that block the sinuses.
Respiratory infection: Colds, influenza, or respiratory infection in general can lead to infections and thickening of the mucous membranes, which prevents this mucus from being drained. This infection may be bacterial, fungal or viral.
• Other diseases: There are some diseases that are related to the immune system with stuffy nose, such as cystic fibrosis and HIV.
Seasonal allergy or sensitivity to dust, pollen or animal hair.
Sinus infections and their types
There are several types of sinus infections, and they are as follows:
Acute sinusitis
This type is the shortest in terms of the duration of infection as it occurs as a result of a viral infection due to colds and influenza and its symptoms last from one to two weeks, but in the case of a bacterial infection it may last up to 4 weeks, and is accompanied by a runny nose or face pain.
Subacute sinusitis
Symptoms of this type may last up to 3 months, as it occurs as a result of bacterial infection or seasonal allergies.
Chronic sinusitis
Usually this type of infection recurs and its symptoms are less severe than other types and may last for more than 3 months, and the cause is usually persistent allergies or problems in the structure of the nose.
When should I see a doctor?
There are some symptoms that you should notice or feel when you visit a doctor, namely:
Blurred vision.
• Fever.
Severe headache.
Swelling or redness around the eyes and forehead.
• neck stiffness.
How to diagnose sinusitis
There are several ways that a doctor can diagnose sinusitis, including:
Ask about symptoms.
• Physical examination, where the doctor examines the nose, presses it and around the cheeks.
• The use of an endoscope through which he can determine whether there are infections in the nose or not.
• Ordering an MRI or CT scan to make sure that there are no problems in the nasal bone structure.
• Doing an allergy test to find out what the patient’s allergies are.
Methods of treating sinus infections
There are many methods, whether medical or home, that can help relieve sinus infections and their symptoms, including:
Medical methods
Nasal corticosteroids: These nasal sprays are used in the case of chronic sinus infection and help to prevent and treat inflammation of the sinuses, which are chemicals such as fluticasone and triamcinolone.
• Wash the nose with saline: There are some sprays or solutions that are used as a treatment to reduce nasal secretions and calm nasal irritation.
• Oral or injected corticosteroids: This type is used in the case of severe sinusitis or in the case of nasal polyps, as it helps to reduce infections, however if used for long periods this may lead to side effects.
Antibiotics: In the event that the cause of sinusitis is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are often the best treatment.
• Surgery: In the event that the body does not respond to any type of treatment, surgery may be the best solution, as the doctor inserts an endoscope through the nostrils to see the sinus passages, and based on the source of the blockage, the problem is solved.
Home remedies
Nasal irrigation: where the person cleans the nasal passages and rinses them well with saline, taking into account the use of clean water and sterile tools.
• Warm compresses: They help relieve pain and swelling on the affected areas.
• Steam inhalation: where the infected person inhales the steam of hot water or puts a hot, wet towel on the face.
• Inhaling essential oils: There are some types of essential oils that can be inhaled by putting some drops of them in hot water, such as menthol oil or eucalyptus oil.
Rest: it is preferable to sleep on the pain-free side with the head and shoulders slightly raised from the rest of the body.
How can I prevent sinusitis?
There are some tips that may help you avoid getting a sinus infection, and they are:
Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
Pay attention to hand hygiene.
• In the case of children, adhere to all their vaccinations.
Avoid people with respiratory illnesses and colds.
Avoid allergens most of the time, such as cold air, dust or pollen.
Eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables.
Get the flu shot every year.
In the end, after you know the difference between a migraine and a sinus headache, what are the symptoms of the sinuses, the most important causes and methods of treatment, try to make sure, dear reader, to stay away from all allergies, taking into account avoiding being in places full of dust or cigarette smoke.
How to diagnose sinusitis
There are several ways that a doctor can diagnose sinusitis, including:
Ask about symptoms.
• Physical examination, where the doctor examines the nose, presses it and around the cheeks.
• The use of an endoscope through which he can determine whether there are infections in the nose or not.
• Ordering an MRI or CT scan to make sure that there are no problems in the nasal bone structure.
• Doing an allergy test to find out what the patient’s allergies are.
Methods of treating sinus infections
There are many methods, whether medical or home, that can help relieve sinus infections and their symptoms, including:
Medical methods
Nasal corticosteroids: These nasal sprays are used in the case of chronic sinus infection and help to prevent and treat inflammation of the sinuses, which are chemicals such as fluticasone and triamcinolone.
• Wash the nose with saline: There are some sprays or solutions that are used as a treatment to reduce nasal secretions and calm nasal irritation.
• Oral or injected corticosteroids: This type is used in the case of severe sinusitis or in the case of nasal polyps, as it helps to reduce infections, however if used for long periods this may lead to side effects.
Antibiotics: In the event that the cause of sinusitis is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are often the best treatment.
• Surgery: In the event that the body does not respond to any type of treatment, surgery may be the best solution, as the doctor inserts an endoscope through the nostrils to see the sinus passages, and based on the source of the blockage, the problem is solved.
Home remedies
Nasal irrigation: where the person cleans the nasal passages and rinses them well with saline, taking into account the use of clean water and sterile tools.
• Warm compresses: They help relieve pain and swelling on the affected areas.
• Steam inhalation: where the infected person inhales the steam of hot water or puts a hot, wet towel on the face.
• Inhaling essential oils: There are some types of essential oils that can be inhaled by putting some drops of them in hot water, such as menthol oil or eucalyptus oil.
Rest: it is preferable to sleep on the pain-free side with the head and shoulders slightly raised from the rest of the body.
How can I prevent sinusitis?
There are some tips that may help you avoid getting a sinus infection, and they are:
Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
Pay attention to hand hygiene.
• In the case of children, adhere to all their vaccinations.
Avoid people with respiratory illnesses and colds.
Avoid allergens most of the time, such as cold air, dust or pollen.
Eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables.
Get the flu shot every year.
In the end, after you know the difference between a migraine and a sinus headache, what are the symptoms of the sinuses, the most important causes and methods of treatment, try to make sure, dear reader, to stay away from all allergies, taking into account avoiding being in places full of dust or cigarette smoke.
