The air-filled spaces between the bones of your face are sinuses which help drain mucus from your nose. Sometimes, these can swell and prevent the drainage of mucus. It triggers pressure in the face which gives us a painful headache, known as sinus headache. Sinus headache is often confused with migraine headache, but the two are different.
Sinus headaches are characterised by persistent pain in the cheekbones and forehead (often on one side of the head). The headache becomes severe with sudden head movement or straining. Nasal discharge, feeling of fullness in the ears, fever, a runny nose and facial swelling are the other symptoms.
Sinus headaches usually subside within a few hours. Here are a few things you can do for quick relief.
Understand the cause
A sinus headache occurs when you have inflamed, congested sinuses. You must reduce the inflammation in your sinuses to get rid of your headache. Learning the cause behind the headache will help you take good care of it.
Use a decongestant
Using a nasal spray or a decongestant will give you immediate relief. However, these shouldn’t be used for more than a few days as you can become addictive to them. Take advice of your health care provider for over-the-counter decongestants if sinusitis persists.
Warm compress
Warm compress can be quite beneficial for sinus headaches. Keep the cloth over your face for several minutes. The warmth of the cloth decreases inflammation in your sinus cavity besides promoting mucus drainage. The method clears congestion in your sinus cavity and reduces sinus pain.
Increase humidity in your room
Increasing the humidity in your room using a humidifier can make a lot of difference. So will a hot bath or inhaling steam.
Up fluid intake
Increasing your fluid intake hydrates your body and aid draining mucus. You can drink hot soups and hot water containing herbs to get rid of sinus headaches. Hot tea is another beverage that helps loosen congestion in your sinuses.
Menthol
Rubbing menthol cream on your temples can give you a pain relief. Rub it in until you see no more cream. The burning sensation it creates works well to relieve sinus headache.
Herbal remedy
You can take help of herbs such as peppermint, rosemary, lemongrass and eucalyptus to get rid of sinus headache. These herbs act as a decongestant to open your sinus cavity and promote sinus drainage. And slowly reduces pressure, headache and pain.
If you have sinus pain that lasts for more than a couple of days and above mentioned remedies don’t seem to work, it is best that you go and see your physician.
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Read more articles on Acute Sinusitis.
