How to Find Sinus Headache Relief
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist for Blue Cross B...
Key Takeaways
- Decongestants and antihistamines can ease sinus pressure, but limit nasal sprays to three days and see a doctor if you have high blood pressure or a heart condition.
- Over‑the‑counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, plus steam, saline irrigation and elevating your head, help control headache pain while the infection clears.
- If sinusitis lasts six weeks or more, consult your primary care provider; antibiotics may be needed for bacterial cases, but overuse can lead to resistance.
The pressure and pain of a sinus headache can be difficult to manage.
Sinus headaches are a symptom of sinusitis, or the swelling of tissue in your nasal passages, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This can prevent mucus from draining properly from your sinuses, the eight, air-filled cavities behind your nose and eyes. This can lead to the classic sinus symptoms, including pressure or pain in your face and congestion.
Finding relief from a sinus headache means targeting both the pain and the cause of the swelling in your sinuses. There are many common, over-the-counter treatments that can manage sinusitis. Here’s a look at a few of them and when you should talk to your primary care provider (PCP).
Decongestants
Relieving the congestion and swelling to improve sinus drainage can be a key part of managing your sinuses. Oral medications such as pseudoephedrine and nasal sprays like oxymetazoline are readily available treatments, according to Harvard Health.
It’s important to be aware of side effects with these drugs; pseudoephedrine is a stimulant and can lead to insomnia or jitteriness. If you have high blood pressure or a heart condition, talk to your PCP before taking this medication.
Nasal decongestants are only short-term remedies; using them for more than three days can lead to a rebound effect and make the swelling worse.
Antihistamines
People with allergies have an increased risk of developing sinusitis and dealing with the pesky headaches. Histamines from allergies and even some foods and beverages like alcohol can lead to increased mucus production and nasal swelling. Using oral antihistamines such as fexofenadine or loratadine or nasal steroid sprays can manage histamines in your body and help lead to relief of the congestion.
Over-the-counter pain relievers
You can manage the head pain with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Many versions of over-the-counter sinus medication are a combination of a decongestant and a pain reliever.
Lifestyle remedies for sinus headaches
There are a few things you can try in addition to medication that can help relieve your congestion and headache:
- Use steam in a hot shower or breathing over a hot bowl of water to loosen mucus.
- Reduce congestion through nasal irrigation with a Neti pot or saline solution.
- Massage pressure points near your nose and on your forehead.
- Elevate your head with an extra pillow when you sleep.
Also, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few tips for your overall health, which can help you with headaches:
- Avoid alcohol, which increases nasal congestion.
- Drink plenty of water or herbal tea.
- Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to maintain a healthy immune system.
- Get regular exercise for your overall health.
- Get seven to eight hours of sleep a night.
- Wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap.
You may find relief by combining a few of these remedies, especially if you have allergies or have been sick.
Antibiotics
For many people, sinusitis will clear up on its own and with over-the-counter remedies. But if you have chronic sinusitis, which lasts for six weeks or more, talk to your PCP. Antibiotics can help if the sinus infection is caused by a bacterial infection. But antibiotics should be considered carefully as taking them too often can lead to antibiotic resistance, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Photo credit: Getty Images
