Headaches that originate in your sinuses and nasal area can be incredibly uncomfortable. You may feel a dull ache behind your eyes or cheekbones, or a sensation of pressure behind your temples or bridge of your nose. These types of headaches also tend to feel worse when you bend over. You may be wondering what caused this headache; here are some causes.
Sinusitis
A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is the most common reason for a sinus headache. Each year, about 29 million U.S. adults are diagnosed with sinusitis. Sinusitis occurs when the paranasal sinuses, cavities behind your nose and face that are normally hollow, fill with fluid and become infected, usually due to a respiratory virus, such as the cold or COVID. The resulting fluid buildup and inflammation of the nasal passageways create that achy feeling behind the bridge of your nose.
Allergies
Allergies can also cause sinus headaches, though this is much less common. The mechanisms by which allergies trigger a headache are somewhat similar to those of sinusitis, with a slight difference: what triggers the inflammation in the first place. With sinusitis, a virus and infected fluid cause inflammation; with allergies, chemicals known as histamines trigger inflammation. Your immune system releases histamines to fight off the offending allergen.
Other Possibilities
Anything that causes inflammation in the paranasal sinuses or nasal passageways can lead to a sinus headache. Some other possibilities include:
- Nasal obstructions, such as a foreign object stuck in the nose or nasal polyps
- Structural sinus issues, such as a deviated septum
- Irritants, such as fragrance, air pollution or cigarette smoke
How to Tell What’s Causing Your Headache
If you’re trying to narrow down which malady is causing your headache, the first thing you want to consider is what, if any, other symptoms are occurring with it. If you have a fever, congestion, loss of smell and thick, off-colored nasal discharge (snot), it’s probably sinusitis. If you have itchy, red eyes, a runny nose and are sneezing a lot, it’s probably allergies. If you can’t pinpoint any other symptoms, consider that it might be a structural issue.
Seeking medical attention from certain specialists can also help determine the root cause of your headache. Visit an allergist for an allergy test to confirm if you have allergies and to what, and visit an ENT specialist for diagnostic testing of your sinuses, such as an X-ray or CT scan. At California Sinus Centers, we can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing this uncomfortable symptom and get you the treatment you need for relief. Call us today to learn more.