Sinus headaches certainly aren’t comfortable. When someone is dealing with a sinus headache, he or she often feels pressure around the eyes, cheeks and forehead. Plus, there is usually a head-throbbing sensation as well.

While many people think they are experiencing a sinus headache caused by sinusitis, a migraine is actually the culprit. Learn more from our AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highway team below.

What Is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the tissue lining the sinuses. The sinuses make thin mucus that drains out of the channels of the nose. This drainage helps keep the nose clean and free of bacteria.

Normally filled with air, the sinuses can get blocked and filled with fluid, which can cause bacteria to grow and cause a sinus infection. Sinus infections are fairly common, and we’ve listed their common symptoms below.

Common Sinus Infection Symptoms

• Postnasal drip (where mucus drips down the throat)
• Nasal discharge (thick yellow or green discharge from nose) or stuffy nose
• Facial pressure (particularly around the nose, eyes, and forehead), headache and or pain in your teeth or ears
• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Cough
• Tiredness

Do I Have a Migraine or a Sinus Headache?

Migraines and sinus headaches have similar symptoms at times, so it can be difficult to know which is causing your painful headache. Both migraine and sinusitis headache pain often gets worse when you bend forward, and both are usually accompanied by various nasal signs and symptoms, including congestion, facial pressure and a clear, watery nasal discharge.

A sinus headache, however, usually isn’t associated with nausea or vomiting or aggravated by noise or bright light, which are all common features of migraines. We’ve listed a few tell-tale signs of a sinus headache below.

Common Sinus Headache Symptoms

• Pain, pressure and fullness in your cheeks, brow or forehead
• Worsening pain if you bend forward or lie down
• Stuffy nose
• Fatigue
• Achy feeling in your upper teeth

Have other questions about your sinuses? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highway team today!