If you have a migraine, we can refer you to a neurologist. Neurologists are physicians who specialize in treating diseases of the brain, nervous system, and spinal cord.
However, below is some helpful information to use as a general guideline to illustrate the differences and similarities between headaches caused by migraines and sinusitis:. First, you should always speak to your doctor when you have a severe headache, particularly if that headache causes vision or balance problems. Second, realize that treating a sinus infection will not help your headache if it is caused by a migraine. Therefore, it is important to figure out what the underlying cause of your headache is.
This can make a big difference in how you are treated and whether your symptoms will get better or not. If one of our ear, nose and throat doctors suspects that you may have a migraine, he or she may refer you to a neurologist or other physician who specializes in treating this specific type of headache. Sinus headaches interfere with every aspect of your life. Whether trying to concentrate on schoolwork or preparing for that corporate presentation, sinus problems affect your concentration, mood and overall well-being.
Contact us for an appointment today. Chronic Sinus Infections , Nasal Irrigation. Jeevan Ramakrishnan, MD , Sinuses. Skip to content Menu. April 16, But what is the difference between a sinus headache vs. For relief, many people try: Deep relaxation This helps you cope with stress, which can be the cause of some migraines. Developing a solid eating and sleeping routine By following a consistent schedule, you could possibly see some relief.
Staying hydrated Be sure to select water over sports drinks, which are often loaded with sugar. Exercising regularly Again, this helps relieve stress, which can cause migraines. Acupuncture Some clinical trials indicate that this technique may hold some promise in helping some people. Other risk factors for developing migraines include: Age- while these occur at any age, they tend to start during your teen years and peak during the 30s.
Gender — According to the Mayo Clinic, women are three times more likely to have migraines. Hormonal changes may also play a role. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors.
Your head is pounding, your nose is running, and your face feels as if it's being squeezed in a vise. It seems like every other day or so a sinus headache lays you low.
You down a couple of over-the-counter pain pills and try to soldier on, wondering if you should call your healthcare provider for another round of the antibiotics he may have prescribed the last time this happened. You're right to see your practitioner, but do be prepared to possibly find out that your sinuses aren't to blame for your headaches. There's a very good chance you're having migraines rather than head pain caused by an infection sinusitis or by seasonal allergies, all of which share a constellation of similar symptoms.
And if that's the case, you're in good company: Nearly 90 percent of people who believe they have sinus headaches, whether they diagnose themselves or are diagnosed by a healthcare provider, actually have migraines , studies have shown.
Other research has found these patients can go for years without a correct diagnosis or proper treatment. If you suffer from frequent sinus headaches that don't seem to get better with treatment, talk to your practitioner about the possibility you're having migraines instead.
When you consider the criteria used to diagnose migraine headaches and those caused by a sinus infection, which can be caused by either virus, bacteria, or seasonal allergies, it's easy to see why the latter often is mistaken for the former. It may be obvious, but it's important to note that the type of migraine that's most often mistaken for a sinus headache is migraine without aura—that is, a migraine without any preceding visual or other sensory disturbances.
Despite the similarities between sinus headaches and migraines without aura, the two conditions actually have several markedly different symptoms and characteristics.
That's why even if you're convinced your headaches are due to a sinus infection or similar ailment, it's a good idea to not write them off as such and attempt to treat yourself. Sinusitis symptoms can also include facial pain and pressure, nasal drainage, nasal or facial congestion, postnasal drip, cough , and sore throat , according to Dr. This is also called a rhinogenic headache or a contact point headache.
Rajneesh says. Migraine is most common in people ages 18 to 44, and women are about three times more likely to have migraine than men, according to the Migraine Research Foundation.
People are born with some propensity for migraine, and then there is a threshold for symptom attacks; people can reach that threshold when they are exposed to certain environmental factors or lifestyle changes, says Rajneesh. These can include certain foods, drinks, lack of sleep, or even changes in the weather, he says.
A sinus headache is a symptom of a sinus infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , the risk factors for sinus infection can include a previous cold, seasonal allergies, smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke , structural problems with the sinuses such as nasal polyps, and a weak immune system or medications that compromise the immune system. Migraine attacks usually include a one-sided or two-sided headache that is typically moderate to severe, with throbbing and pounding when severe, says Weber.
Facial pain and headache can occur with a sinus headache, too, according to the American Migraine Foundation. Both migraine attacks and sinus headaches can cause watery eyes and a runny nose. Whereas a sinus headache is a result of pressure on the nasal walls, migraine attacks originate in the brain, says Rajneesh. According to the American Migraine Foundation, people with allergic rhinitis are more than 10 times more likely to have migraine.
Although both migraine and a sinus headache can come with a runny nose, with migraine the discharge is usually clear, whereas in a headache that comes with sinusitis , it can be colored or foul smelling, says Rajneesh. Migraine attacks are often associated with other symptoms besides a headache , which can include nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, and sound sensitivity, according to Weber. Migraine is a clinical diagnosis , says Weber.
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