Sinus Pressure Headache Relief

Are you in need of sinus pressure headache relief to deal with pain, pressure, and congestion? It can be an incredibly painful and disruptive experience when your sinus headache won’t go away. Even though sinus headaches often dissipate on their own, the time between onset and clearing up can be fraught with debilitating (or at minimum extremely annoying) symptoms. 

Fortunately, sinus pressure headache relief is available. Whether you require home remedies or a quick outpatient procedure, you have short and long-term options that can help you deal with your pesky symptoms. 

How do I know if my headache is a sinus headache?

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell a sinus headache vs a migraine due to overlapping symptoms. Migraines are a neurological condition, as opposed to the respiratory origins of sinus issues. Knowing how to tell the differences between the two illnesses is crucial when trying to find the right treatment.

Migraines

The most common symptoms of migraines include the following:

• Throbbing pain in one side of the head
• Nausea and vomiting
• Light sensitivity
• Blurred vision or auras

Migraine triggers vary from patient to patient and can be the result of internal factors (genetics, fasting) and/or external factors (barometric pressure shifts, flashing lights).

Sinus Headaches

The most common symptoms of a sinus headache include the following:

• Pain and pressure in the sinuses, especially around the forehead, cheekbones, and the bridge of the nose
• Coughing
• Yellow mucus
• Face swelling
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Fever

Sinus headaches are caused by pressure building up in the sinus cavities due to sinus infections/sinusitis, allergies, a cold, or another respiratory illness. Because sinus headaches build pressure in the face, if you lie down or bend forward and feel an increase in pain, you are likely suffering from a sinus headache.

Another key sign of a sinus headache is the presence of a fever. Sinus infections often raise the body’s temperature; therefore, if you start to exhibit symptoms such as sweating, chills, and muscle aches on top of your headache, you can better determine what type of headache you have and can proceed with your sinus pressure headache relief method of choice. 

What helps sinus pressure headaches naturally?

Many of our patients ask us for information on how to get rid of a sinus headache instantly. Nothing can exactly rid the body of the pain immediately unless surgical intervention is necessary. Although, in most cases, individuals suffering from sinus pressure should be able to clear up their symptoms using nothing more intense than over-the-counter medications. 

However, these solutions do have a cap on how often they can be safely consumed per day. Certain natural remedies work alongside over-the-counter medications to provide longer, more effective sinus pain relief. 

Hot Compress

A hot compress for headaches may help you escape the pain caused by inflamed sinuses. The heat improves your circulation while also relaxing your muscles. 

To make a hot compress, heat up a bowl of water and then submerge a cloth or towel into the water. Ring out any excess liquid before placing the cloth or towel in a plastic wrap. Set this compress inside another towel and apply it to the affected area.

Massage

Massaging or tapping your temples, nose, and cheeks can help to drain your sinuses, which will alleviate some of the pain associated with a sinus headache.

To relieve the pain in your head, begin by massaging your temples in a circular motion for around 30 seconds. Then, move your fingers to the point where the top of your ear joins your face where you should feel a slight indentation. Gently press your fingers into this indentation and hold for another 30 seconds. Apply pressure directly between your eye and cheekbone for a few more seconds to encourage draining.

Saline Nasal Spray

Most pharmacies stock saline nasal sprays that can help treat sinus headaches. Using the spray to flush the inside of your nose goes a long way in clearing mucus and other tiny particles from the nose, which will help reduce your swollen sinuses.

How long does it take for a sinus pressure headache to go away?

Without proper sinus headache treatment, the illness can last for up to two weeks. Most sinus headaches can clear up on their own without intervention, though taking over-the-counter medications and supplementing with natural remedies hastens the healing process. 

If standard sinus pressure headache relief methods don’t work, it may be time to seek surgical intervention with procedures such as balloon sinuplasty or other procedures meant to provide more long-lasting freedom from pain. These quick, inpatient surgeries also help prevent further sinus headache flare-ups so you can breathe easier for lasting results. 

Find lasting sinus pressure headache relief with Kaplan Sinus Relief

When you need sinus pressure headache relief that goes beyond what home remedies and drugstore solutions can provide, Kaplan Sinus Relief offers a wide range of both surgical and non-surgical options to heal your pain. 

If you want results that will provide long-lasting relief, ask us about our quick and minimally invasive balloon sinuplasty procedure. For just 20-30 minutes, you can live a gratifying life free of sinus problems. 

Schedule an appointment with us today and get to know what we can do to soothe what ails you. Clearer sinuses are just one click away.

More Helpful Articles by Kaplan Sinus Relief:

• Can Fluctuating Weather Make You Sick?
• Nausea From Sinus Drainage: Causes and Treatment 
• What Does Yellow Mucus Mean?
• What is Ethmoid Sinusitis?
• How Do You Treat Enlarged Inferior Turbinates?

This article has been reviewed and approved by Michael Kaplan, MD