Pelican State News

• If you're dealing with chronic headaches, it may be a result of inflamed sinuses.
• It's important to figure out what type of headaches you are dealing with so you can get the correct treatment.
• Dr. Adil Fatakia and his team at ENT & Allergy of New Orleans can help to figure out if your headaches are a problem resulting from sinus issues.

According to Dr. Adil Fatakia from ENT & Allergy of New Orleans, it is crucial to seek treatment if you experience persistent headaches or migraines. Visiting an ear, nose and throat doctor can help identify the underlying cause of the issue.

"Sinus headaches are a very general term for pressure pain located over the sinuses," Fatakia told Pelican State News. "They can come from a lot of different sources, including migraine or other neurologic problems, or they can come from inflammation within the pair, the nasal sinuses themselves."

Mayo Clinic suggests that a common symptom of a headache caused by sinusitis or migraines is an increase in pain when lying down or bending over. However, there are additional symptoms that can distinguish between the two conditions. These include nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to bright light or noise, which are indicative of migraines but not sinusitis.

Fatakia explained what patients should do when experiencing sinus trouble.

"I think the most important thing is to try to help determine the location of the pressure or pain and where it's coming from," he said. "Beyond that, treatment with over-the-counter medicines is an option, including anti-inflammatory medicines or even Tylenol-based medicines. But again, I can't emphasize enough that the important thing to do is figure out where these headaches or facial pressure and pain are coming from so the underlying problem can be addressed, instead of just continuing to put a Band-Aid on it with over-the-counter medicines."

If you're experiencing a sinus headache, it would be caused by the inflammation of the sinus cavities. These cavities are air-filled spaces located within the forehead, cheekbones and behind the nose bridge. According to WebMD, inflammation leads to swelling, increased mucus production and potential blockage of the drainage channels in the sinuses. The resulting buildup of pressure within the sinuses causes pain resembling a headache.

Determining the specific type of headache you are experiencing is crucial to determine the appropriate steps for pain relief. Headaches can be a major problem, but the experts at ENT & Allergy of New Orleans are able to diagnose whether your headaches are associated with sinus problems. They can provide the necessary assistance and treatment for your condition.

To learn more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.