{"id":5818,"date":"2019-04-23T14:00:59","date_gmt":"2019-04-23T14:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=5818"},"modified":"2021-06-04T21:51:44","modified_gmt":"2021-06-04T21:51:44","slug":"14-underlying-conditions-leading-to-sinus-headache","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-underlying-conditions-leading-to-sinus-headache\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Underlying Conditions Leading to Sinus Headache"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sinus headaches are slightly different from your average headache. Individuals suffering from a sinus headache may experience a pressure behind the eyes, along with tight feelings in the face, and your head may throb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people may confuse a sinus headache with a tension headache or migraine, but they have different contributing factors. A sinus headache develops due to inflammation and blockage of the sinus passages in the nasal area, while a tension headache occurs due to inflammation of the tendons in the head and neck due to stressors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of a sinus headache include pain or pressure in the cheeks, forehead or temples, as well as a stuffy nose and feelings of fatigue. Patients may find that they have an achy feeling in their top teeth, as well as an exacerbation in symptoms if they lie down or bend over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are eight underlying conditions that can cause a sinus headache, and how to treat them.
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1.    You are Prone to Headaches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some people are more prone to developing headaches <\/a>than others, and it depends on your genetic predisposition to the condition and environmental factors that influence your health and mental state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone who has a previous history of migraines or headaches, as well as a family history of the condition may be at further risk of developing sinus headaches. Your family history says a lot about whether or not you are prone to these types of problems. If your parents or siblings have to deal with them, then the chances are that you will eventually experience them as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changes in hormones may also make an individual prone to developing headaches as well. Pregnancy plays havoc with estrogen and progesterone levels, causing the onset of tension headaches in some women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most sinus headaches occur due to a sinus infection and should not receive treatment with antibiotics unless the symptoms start to increase in intensity.
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2.    Sinusitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The primary cause of a sinus <\/a>headache is the inflammation of sinus tissues. The inflammation produces mucus that blocks the sinus from draining, creating a buildup of pressure. People who are dealing with sinusitis may experience a runny nose, pressure behind the eyes, and a throbbing sensation in their head. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left unmanaged and untreated, sinusitis can cause a sinus headache, where the pressure buildup starts to present symptoms of pain. Doctors don\u2019t like to treat a sinus infection using antibiotics unless they feel it\u2019s going to progress into an advanced state where the patient may develop further complications from the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viral sinusitis may last 24 to 48-hours before symptoms start to subside. However, bacterial sinusitis is a much different condition and may present persistent symptoms that require treatment with antibiotics. If you come down with sinusitis, and the infection is not getting any better after a few days, visit your doctor for a diagnosis of your condition.
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3.    Bacterial Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, sinusitis occurs due to a viral infection. In this case, all the patient can do is wait for the virus to run its course, and treat the symptoms as they appear. Viral sinusitis <\/a>typically starts to clear after a few days, but if symptoms persist, then the patient may be dealing with a bacterial infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bacterial infections differ from viral types because bacteria do not have a specified life cycle. Bacteria can set up shop in the body and survive for weeks, months, or even years in the tissues, organs, and body fluids of an infected individual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bacterial infections are far more severe than viral sinusitis symptoms, and while doctors may leave a viral case to resolve on its own, most bacterial infections require medical intervention with antibiotic medications to cure the patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bacterial sinus infections often present more aggressive symptoms, with the infected individual developing a sinus headache as one of the advanced signs of the condition.
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4.    Allergies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sinusitis can occur due to environmental factors; such as hay fever. Hay fever allergies <\/a>occur during the springtime and summer when plants, trees, and flowers start to release pollen into the air. Most people do not react to this release, but others may have allergies that affect their sinus when they breathe in pollen. Some people may also have allergies to dust that flare their sinus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most allergic reactions to pollen and dust are mild, causing symptoms of sneezing and a runny nose. In rare cases, the patient may experience severe symptoms and inflammation of the sinus that results in the development of sinus headaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors treat allergic reactions using anti-histamine medications that reduce the allergic response in minutes after ingesting the drug. You may notice that your nose unblocks suddenly with a popping sound, and your headache disappears. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s possible to control your exposure to allergens during the summer by taking the medication with you in your handbag or leaving it in the glove box of your car in case of an attack.
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5.    Weakened Immune System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The immune system<\/a> plays a significant role in preventing infection and disease. Those people with impaired immune function are at a higher risk of developing viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since over 70-percent of the immune system resides in the gut, you can strengthen its response by making changes to your diet. Toss out the refined carbohydrates like flour from your diet, and eliminate all sources of sugar. These foods create inflammation of the intestinal wall, resulting in systemic inflammation that spreads throughout the body. Replace these foods with whole grains and sprouts, and make sure you\u2019re getting enough fiber in your diet to sweep the digestive tract clean of any undigested food particles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consuming natural supplements, such as Echinacea, will help to strengt5hen your immune system and help you avoid infection. In the case of sinusitis, the affected individual may notice that they start to experience fewer outbreaks of the condition when they alter their diet to increase the health of their immune system.
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6.    Mold Exposure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When your geyser bursts, or your experience a leak in the roof of your home, the water may sit on top of your ceiling boards, or drip down the inside of your walls, starting the onset of a mold <\/a>outbreak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mold contains mycotoxins, dangerous airborne particles that settle in your lungs. The mycotoxins filter in from your roof and walls into the air in your home \u2013 where you breathe them into your lungs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toxic mold exposure, especially exposure to black mold can have severely detrimental effects on your health. Mycotoxin exposure leads to infections of the respiratory tract and sinus, as well as further complications with the nervous system<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left undiagnosed and untreated, symptoms may progress from sinusitis and sinus headache to full-blown bacterial infection where you end up fighting for your life. If you notice any mold growing in your home, call a contractor to come and clear it out.
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7.    Airplane Travel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Air travel is an exciting experience. Boarding the plane, the takeoff, and the climb to altitude is a thrill ride that many people enjoy. However, going on an international flight places you in a confined space with plenty of other people for an extended period. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of the small space and plenty of people, the airplane requires an air-conditioning system to filter all of the toxins <\/a>and CO2 out of the air, replenishing the oxygen supply for the passengers. Unfortunately, some planes may have air-con systems that are under-maintained or in a shocking state of disrepair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This situation leads to inefficient filtering of the air, and a humidity imbalance where the air may become dry. In this situation, the passengers start breathing in more toxins, and it’s possible for bacteria that cause sinus infection to sweep through the cabin, infecting other people on the plane with a viral or bacterial sinus infection.
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8.    Dehydration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being in a state of dehydration <\/a>is the cause of various health issues. Since our body is nearly 65-percent water, a lack of it affects metabolic and neurological function. People experiencing dehydration feel lethargic, and they may also suffer from \u201cbrain fog,\u201d where they are unable to think clearly and experience mild bouts of confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration also causes a drop in immune response, allowing for pathogens to infect the body. In a dehydrated state, the body puts up less of a fight against the invading bacteria, fungus, or virus, resulting in the development of a variety of infections \u2013 including sinusitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re experiencing a sinus headache, think about when it was that you had something to drink \u2013 did you get in your eight glasses of water today? If not, pour yourself a glass of water and drink it down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recommend that you use filtered water, and if you have the opportunity, get a reverse osmosis machine for your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Your Working Environment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The conditions you work in play a significant role in your health<\/a>. Many people who work in the corporate world spend their days in cubicles inside office buildings. These buildings operate climate control systems to manage airflow through the building. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of the air management systems operation, the air in the building continually recycles itself through the air-conditioning ducts. Some people report that the dry air in an office makes their sinus play up from time to time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many office buildings using older technology air-con systems may not maintain them as often, resulting in their inefficient operation. As a result, the filters may not trap allergens and other harmful particles that cause sinusitis or sinus congestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People that work in locations where dust and pollen are issues in the spring and summertime may suffer from sinus headaches. Landscapers and groundskeepers may find that they develop sinus headaches during the warmer months of the year.
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10. Stress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stress <\/a>is also one of the leading causes of sinus headaches. When we get stressed out, the adrenal glands release more adrenaline-like hormones, including cortisol. Cortisol is also known as the “fight-or-flight” hormone responsible for creating the survival response. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In today’s busy world, we encounter many pressures in our lives. Financial responsibilities, family commitments, and social gatherings all bring stress into our lives. Most of us reduce our stress through activities or hobbies that stimulate the body and mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, when we don’t have a stress outlet, the body may start to develop imbalances in cortisol, resulting in disorders like fatigue, anxiety, and sinus headaches. Reducing the stress in your life is paramount if you want to maintain your physical and mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a walk around the block once a day, or take up a new hobby that gets you out of the house. Physical and mental stimulation is essential to reducing your stress levels.
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11. Malaise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This condition describes a psychological disturbance in the patient where they begin to develop a mounting feeling of dread accompanied by feelings of high anxiety. Patients with the disorder don’t know why they feel this way, and there’s nothing they can do to stop the feeling from growing stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malaise<\/a> typically occurs as a symptom of an underlying disease, such as a heart condition. The body knows that there is something wrong with it, but it does not know what to do about it. This situation makes the patient feel anxious and tense, and they may start to develop symptoms of other tension-related symptoms, such as an inflamed sinus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the patient receives a diagnosis for their condition, and the mind comes to terms with the physical or psychological ailment, the malaise tends to disappear immediately. Medical science is still unclear as to the exact mechanism responsible for the development of the condition.
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12. Hormone Changes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Individuals who are experiencing changes to their hormone <\/a>profile may also run the risk of developing complications with their condition, such as a sinus headache. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pregnant women experience changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone in their bodies during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. These hormone changes may result in swelling and inflammation that spreads systemically throughout the body, affect other regions, such as the sinus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men over the age of 40-years old may notice that they start to see their production of the male hormone, testosterone, begin to decline. As a result, the patient loses their immune system efficiency gradually over the course of the following decades of their life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These changes in hormones in men may result in the development of sinus problems that lead to the onset of a sinus headache. Men may require the use of testosterone replacement therapy and other anti-aging strategies to recover their hormone balance.
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13. Sedentary Lifestyle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our lifestyle choices play a significant role in our levels of health. People with a sedentary lifestyle<\/a> that is devoid of exercise may notice that they start to experience a reduction in their health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exercise is essential for maintaining the health of the immune system. When our immune system is weak, we run the risk of contracting infections far easier than when we have a robust immune response. As a result, people who choose to avoid exercise may find that they develop conditions like sinusitis more often than those individuals who exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along with regular exercise, we need to take care of what we eat. Is your diet full of sugar and junk food? Consider throwing out the junk foods and concentrating on eating items that are good for your health. Sprouts, whole grains, lean proteins, vegetables, and fruit, are all essential for a healthy body. If you don’t know where to start in designing a healthy diet, speak to a nutritionist for advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Triggers for Sinus Headache<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People with sinus headaches find that they tend to develop them regularly. They may also notice that there are “triggers,” which might create the onset of inflammation. These triggers set off a biological reaction that eventually results in the inflammation <\/a>of the sinus and the build-up of pressure that results in a sinus headache. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid any smells that may trigger your headache. Some people may be allergic to the pollen in the air during the spring and summer months. At these times of the year, it’s best to stay indoors and use the air-condit0ner to filter the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reduce your intake of irritants like alcohol and tobacco that cause sinus inflammation. Try to control your stress, and make sure you maintain a regular sleeping pattern. If you feel a headache coming on, use OTC medications like painkillers and anti-inflammatories to manage the pain. Should you feel no relief after 12-hours, contact your doctor for assistance.
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