From the moment you wake up in the morning to the moment you lay down at night, your sinus headache won’t go away. It’s this kind of patient — the kind who struggles with chronic sinus issues — in which sinus treatments like balloon sinuplasty are made for.  

If you frequently suffer from sinus headaches and nausea, sinus headaches without congestion, headaches that won’t go away with ibuprofen, or any other kind of chronic sinus headaches that won’t go away, then discover how balloon sinuplasty can drastically improve your quality of life. 

Why do I have a headache that won’t go away? 

First things first: If your headache won’t go away, you need to figure out if it’s a sinus headache that won’t go away or something else. Sinus headaches are caused by a buildup of pressure in sinus cavities that have become inflamed and are blocking regular mucus drainage. 

Sinus headaches are often (but not always) accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Congestion
• Feeling of pressure and/or throbbing around your sinuses (cheeks, forehead, browline) 
• Increased pain upon bending over 
• Toothache in your upper teeth 

Many of these symptoms, including congestion and increased pain upon bending over, can also be found in patients struggling with migraines. However, migraines are unlikely to last more than a few hours, whereas untreated sinus headaches can last for days at a time.

For more information about what might be behind your latest sinus headache, reference these additional posts:

• Can stress cause sinus headaches? 
• Can high humidity cause sinus headaches? 
• Are there harmful and helpful foods for sinus headaches? 
• Can a toothache cause a sinus headache? 

How long does a sinus headache last, and do sinus headaches go away on their own? 

Sinus headaches caused by sinus infections can last up to two weeks or more, depending on the severity of your sinus infection. Although some sinus infections (and thus, sinus headaches) go away on their own, leaving a sinus infection untreated comes with potential complications, including the spread of the infection, loss of smell, and in extreme cases, meningitis and brain abscess. 

OK, but… What can I do if my sinus headache won’t go away? 

The best treatment for bacterial sinus infections and headaches caused by bacterial sinusitis is a full round of antibiotics. However, there are several steps you can take at home to ease the discomfort of a sinus headache that won’t go away. These remedies include: 

• OTC pain medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• OTC antihistamines, decongestants, or saline sprays  
• Taking a hot bath or shower
• Using a humidifier 

If you have chronic sinus infections, though, there are treatments that can provide a more long-term solution. Of these options, balloon sinuplasty is currently the most minimally-invasive treatment available. 

Balloon sinuplasty is an in-office procedure that can provide lasting sinus relief in under twenty minutes. During the procedure, your ENT inflates a small balloon inside your sinus cavities, expanding them enough to restore proper drainage. Unlike other sinus surgeries, balloon sinuplasty does not involve the cutting of any bone or tissue, reducing both recovery time and complications. The procedure has an extremely high success rate (approximately 95%, which is even higher at Kaplan Sinus Relief). 

If your sinus headache won’t go away, call Kaplan Sinus Relief 

Dr. Michael Kaplan of Kaplan Sinus Relief is a leading practitioner of the balloon sinuplasty treatment, and he often trains other doctors on the technique. Patients who visit Kaplan Sinus Relief also have the option to add IV Sedation and/or TGS image-guided navigation to their surgery, which are services that help keep patients relaxed during the surgery and improve accuracy and safety, respectively.

You don’t have to put up with a sinus headache that won’t go away. Kaplan Sinus Relief can help you find relief from sinus headaches, congestion, and more. Call 713-766-1818 or request an appointment online today.

Related Resources: 

• Sinus Headaches in the Morning 
• Why Get IV Sedation for Balloon Sinuplasty 
• Understanding Mountain Cedar Pollen Count in Houston 
• Will Sinus Surgery Help My Allergies? 
• TGS Navigation for Sinus Surgery