Chronic Sinus Headache Treatment

If you have ever had a headache caused by sinus congestion, you know just how painful it can be. If you have many sinus headaches a year, it’s time to stop treating them at home and see and ENT. Your ENT is uniquely qualified and trained to discover the cause of your chronic sinus headaches and prescribe a course of treatment to bring an end to your suffering.

The sinus cavities

The sinuses are located under your cheekbones, the center of your forehead, between your eyes and behind your nose. These hollow cavities are lined with mucus membranes and humidify the air and condition it for better absorption of the lungs. However if they become infected, inflamed or do not drain properly they can cause pain, loss of sense of smell and bad taste in the mouth.

Infection

The sinuses can be the location for bacterial or viral infections. Bacterial infections are treated with decongestants and antibiotics. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics and can be much more difficult to treat. If the infections are the result of uncontrolled allergies, your ENT can test for allergies and prescribe immunotherapy treatment and antihistamines.

Polyps

Polyps are small tissue growths that can occur in the sinuses or nasal passages. They are usually non-cancerous growths and occur in groups (think grapes). These polyps may not be cancerous but they still cause problems. They can prevent the sinuses from draining properly and this can lead to inflammation and infection.

Polyps can be reduced in size with nasal corticosteroids. These medications are available in spray and oral form. If corticosteroids do not shrink polyps, they can be removed with endoscopic or traditional sinus surgery.

Sinus blockage

The sinuses can be blocked by bone or tissue, preventing them from draining. This leads to repeated infections and continual inflammation. If chronic sinus headaches do not respond to medication, nasal surgery can be an option.

Your ENT can perform an endoscopic examination to determine if the sinuses are blocked. Occasionally, imaging such as a CT scan or MRI may be performed to get a full picture of the blockage.

Blockages can be removed with balloon sinuplasty (a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in the ENT’s office under local anesthetic) or functional endoscopic sinus surgery (minimally invasive procedure performed on an out-patient basis).

Seek relief at an ENT office

If you have recurring sinus headaches, there is no need to suffer. Call your ENT and make an appointment. The ENT can assess your condition and prescribe a headache treatment protocol to bring relief and restore breathing. Don’t suffer another day; call the ENT office today.