What’s a Sinus Headache?

Sinus headaches are mysterious things – to some people, they are instantly familiar, easy to diagnose and completely ordinary. To others they are a cause of great confusion.

This is a quick post for the second group. Sinus headaches are often conflated with other kinds of headaches, but in reality they bear some unique hallmarks that are hard to misread. The salient symptom is pressure – in the forehead, the nose, and around the eyes.

But since some other headaches can cause discomfort in these very places, there is an easy way to distinguish a sinus headache from a more conventional tension headache: lean forward. If the headache worsens, you can be sure it’s being caused by a buildup of fluid – fluid which by definition will gurgle and flow, leading to specific effects depending on the orientation of your head.

Pain in the upper teeth is another telltale sign that a sinus infection may be to blame, as is difficulty breathing and a history of prior sinus issues.

The only way to be sure is to speak with a sinus surgeon. Contact the LA Sinus Institute today to schedule an appointment with an expert.