5 Natural Remedies for Sinus Headaches
The beating on my temple was like beating a drum. Behind the eyes, on the top of the head and even on the cheekbones. Even my teeth hurt. Remember that tension in your neck can extend to your shoulders.
Sinus headache or migraine?
When you have a headache, it is difficult to think about why it is happening. You know you just want it to stop. However, understanding the source of chronic pain goes a long way in determining effective treatments.
According to the American Migraine Foundation, people who self-diagnose headaches are wrong in about 90 percent of cases. You think of the stimulation on your forehead and nose as symptoms of a headache. Yes, no. Migraine is associated with the same symptoms. Even nasal congestion may be caused by a migraine rather than your sinuses.
How do you know if this is a real migraine?
Look for other migraine-related symptoms. For example, do you have nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and/or a throbbing pain on one side of your head? When these become part of the equation, you’re dealing with a migraine.
So what is a real sinus headache?
Your sinuses are air sacs attached to the sides of your nose. Their job is to clean the air you breathe in your nose. A network of nasal passages snakes across your forehead, cheekbones, and behind the bridge of your nose.
Most doctors agree that headaches are rare, occurring only in a small number of people diagnosed with frontal sinusitis or spheroid sinusitis.
If you really have a sinus headache, you have an infection in your sinus cavity. In this case, you will have a fever and congestion. Sinus congestion can cause heartburn. Fever may bother you.
How do doctors treat sinus headaches?
Doctors often recommend starting with decongestants and antibiotics. Nasal irrigation is also beneficial. This technique involves slowly pouring the salt solution into one nostril and allowing it to flow out of the other nostril. Nasal irrigation can help clear mucus and relieve some nasal congestion.
If these methods do not make you feel better after a few days, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or nasal steroids to treat the underlying infection. Doctors try to avoid giving steroids unnecessarily to prevent antimicrobial resistance.
Natural Sinus Headache Remedy
Some people prefer to use natural methods to treat sinus headaches. Most herbal remedies for nasal pain and congestion work by helping prevent infection (rather than treating an existing infection). Therefore, the goal should be to make five lifestyle changes that will help prevent infection and prevent your next headache.
Hydrate
Drinking plenty of water every day is good for your overall health. Staying hydrated helps keep your skin, hair, and nails soft and improves the functioning of your internal organs. Did you know that water also moistens your sinuses and helps your body flush out toxins, increasing the likelihood of future infections? Humidification makes mucus easier by keeping it thin and loose.
Elevation
Sleeping on your back is a recipe for disaster (and certainly won’t help your sinuses). Lying flat can cause mucus to build up in the nose, causing nasal congestion. Elevate your head with a pillow at night to prevent aches and pains. For best results, make sure your head is higher than your heart.
Use a humidifier
When the sinuses dry out, uncomfortable symptoms such as headaches, sinus pain, and pressure can occur. Dry sinuses do not produce enough acid. There is a good balance between excess and insufficient mucus. When the sinuses become dry (not enough mucus), the tissues in the nose become sore and itchy. Using a humidifier in your bedroom at night can help keep your sinuses moist. If you find that your entire home or office is too dry during the day, run a humidifier in the rooms where you spend the most time to reduce stress.
Try essential oils
Essential oils have many benefits. Peppermint and lavender are two essential oils that can relieve headaches. Before going to bed, you can massage a few drops directly onto your forehead, temples and neck. Some people like to mix peppermint or lavender with eucalyptus oil to make breathing easier. If you don’t want to bother with mixing essential oils, there are products like Headache ReLeaf Roll-On. It combines essential oils, menthol, and pure water for a simple yet effective headache treatment. Gently roll it on the sore area and you will feel better within a few minutes.
Clear your nose
Daily nasal irrigation helps keep your sinuses clear of allergens and other irritants. This will reduce your risk of future infection. A neti pot is a way to do nasal irrigation and makes the whole process very easy. You can buy nasal sprays at almost any pharmacy.
The last word on headaches… You don’t have to sit with your nose and heart aching. Use these natural remedies to help prevent complications from occurring.