Guest Author - Joyce N. Eldridge, M.Ed.

Have you ever had a sinus headache so bad that didn’t seem to be relieved by regular sinus decongestant medication? Are you a chronic headache sufferer? Many people do not realize that what they think is a sinus headache may actually be a migraine headache.

Sinus headache symptoms include congestion, all over throbbing head pain with significant fullness, pressure and pain in the cheekbones, forehead, eye area and bridge of the nose. Bending, straining or other sudden head movements may cause more intense pain. Sinus headaches, also known as sinusitis, occur when the membrane lining of the sinus passages become inflamed, they may also be accompanied by cold-like symptoms such as ear pain, cough, fever, sore throat and even off-colored mucous discharge from the nose. Sinusitis can be acute (occurring suddenly) or chronic (occurring constantly over a period of time). Medical research suggests that chronic sinusitis is one of the most commonly diagnosed chronic conditions. In the U.S. alone there are millions of cases reported every year!

So what's the difference? How can a misdiagnosis occur? What becomes confusing for people is that some of the sinus headache symptoms mentioned are similar to that of migraines. For instance, migraines may get worse when bending over or when the head is in a certain position. Congestion, facial pain and pressure as well as nasal discharge may also accompany a migraine headache. The one major difference between the two headaches is that migraines present with more of a throbbing pain than sinus headaches and often times the migraine sufferer is subject to nausea and vomiting and may also be bothered by lights, noises, sounds or smells.

As with migraines, some sinusitis sufferers have triggers that they should be aware of aside from obvious physical concerns stemming from abnormalities in the nasal passages or other diagnosed diseases/medical conditions. Some of the most common triggers include smoke and other environmental allergens such as mold, mildew and other pollutants.

In both headache cases, the quality of life for any chronic sufferer is often lessened and the desire for relief is ever present. Those suffering from any kind of head pain should always seek medical advice from their physician to ensure that a proper treatment plan is developed and implemented. If you do suffer from what you believe to be a chronic case of sinusitis, an Ear/ Nose and Throat specialist—or Otolaryngologist, may be the specialist to consult with. For other headaches, including migraine and tension type, a Neurologist would be the specialist to consult with.

Unfortunately, because headaches are so common, some suffers may be misdiagnosed and there may be a need for a second or even third opinion. It is important to be specific with symptoms, especially the frequency, duration and intensity of the headache episodes. One who generalizes or downplays their symptoms may get a generalized one-size-fits-all diagnosis. There is a chance that this may be nothing more than an acute onset sinus headache triggered by a bad cold; however, there is always a chance that it is something more serious, especially if the headaches are frequent and/ or debilitating.