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Headache from sinusitis and facial pressure

Facial pressure and headache caused by an episode of sinusitis are due to the accumulation of mucus in the sinuses. Relief is achieved by draining the mucus, and to do this it is necessary to restore the function of the mucosa of the sinuses and nasal passages that the sinusitis has damaged.

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Depending on where the mucus accumulates, facial pressure and/or headache may be felt predominantly in:

Frontal sinuses

The forehead

The two frontal sinuses are located just above the eyebrows

Sphenoid sinuses

The nose and its sides

The two sphenoid sinuses are located behind the ethmoid sinuses

Maxillary sinuses

Jaw and teeth

The two maxillary sinuses are located on the cheekbones

Ethmoid sinuses

Between the eyes

The two ethmoid sinuses are located on each side of the bridge of the nose

What is the function of the sinuses?

The main function of the sinuses is to heat and humidify the air we breathe. They also serve to remove particles and microorganisms from the nasal cavities.

Due to the small size of the openings (ostium) that connect the sinuses and the nose, when the mucosa becomes inflamed, the drainage of mucus is impossible.

The normal functioning of the sinuses depends on three essential components:

  • Clear mucus production (about 1 liter a day)
  • Normal functioning of cilia (microscopic hairs that sweep mucus to the back of the nose)
  • Opening of the ostium (small holes that connect the sinuses with the ducts that conduct mucus into the nasopharynx)

Main causes of sinus headache

Common Cold

Common Cold

Flu

Flu

Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps

Nasal Congestion

Permanent Nasal Congestion

Allergies

Allergies

headache remedies

How to deal with a headache from sinusitis?

When cold symptoms last for more than 10 days, it is called acute post-viral sinusitis. The most characteristic symptoms of this condition are: nasal congestion, runny nose, reduction or loss of smell and pressure and/or facial pain.

The headache and facial pressure caused by sinusitis are due to the accumulation of mucus; to relieve it, the correct functioning of the mucosa of the nasal and paranasal sinuses must be restored. This is achieved by restoring the movement of the cilia, opening the ostium and increasing the production of clear (physiological) mucus.

Antibiotics are only recommended in the case of bacterial sinus infection and account for only 0.5–2 % of diagnosed cases.