If you've ever had a sinus headache, you know they're hard to miss. There's that telltale aching head, stuffy nose, and dizziness you have to suffer through. If this sounds like an all-too common scenario, you probably feel desperate for anything you can do to relieve the symptoms.
The good news is that a host of possible sinus headache remedies exist, and most of them are easy things that you can try at home to help yourself feel better quickly.
Sinus Headache Symptoms
A sinus headaches occur when the lining of your sinus cavities become inflamed and traps mucus and air in this area, causing distress and even dizziness, which often gets worse when you bend over or tilt your head.
Other symptoms that can accompany a sinus headache include fever, chills, pain in your teeth, soreness when you touch your face, sore throat, and feeling worse in the morning and/when you experience sudden air temperature changes.
Sinus Headache Remedies to Consider
When you're suffering with these and other sinus symptoms, there are some simple sinus headache remedies you can try at home that can make a difference. Please consider the following steps:
- Use a cool-mist humidifier to add moisture into the air in your room.
- Take a hot shower. The steam from the water can often be effective in opening up your nasal passages.
- Place a very warm cloth on your sinus to help relieve the swelling and pain. Some people also find that alternating between hold and cold compresses can offer relief.
- Rinse out your nasal cavity to wash away mucus and other irritants that are clogging the area and reduce swollen membranes. You can use a store-brought irrigation remedy or make your own version.
- Ask your doctor about using over-the-counter medicines/sinus headache remedies. Some common ones to try include decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal steroid sprays. You may also benefit from using pain relief such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
- Be on the lookout for a change in nasal discharge. If it thickens and becomes dark green or yellow, this can indicate an infection that may need to be treated with antibiotics.
When Sinus Headache Remedies Aren't Effective
When the headaches are frequent and these treatments don't offer relief, then you'll need to explore other options. If the pain may be caused by allergies, it can help to control your allergic response with medications or even by desensitizing yourself by undergoing allergy immunotherapy. You may also need to see an ear, nose and throat doctor for further evaluation. When all else fails, surgery may be needed to resolve a sinus blockage that could be causing your symptoms.
Sources
American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/sinusHeadache.cfm
Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sinus-headaches/DS00647/DSECTION=causes
University of Maryland Medical Center
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/sinus-headache-000073.htm
