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Treating sinus headaches
Usually, sinusitis is treated with medicines that get rid of the infection and establish drainage of the blocked sinuses. Antibiotics are typically recommended to eliminate specific bacteria that are causing the infection. Sometimes, in the case of complicated infections, surgical procedures may be necessary to establish adequate drainage of the infected sinuses.
Decongestants and antihistamines reduce swelling in the blocked channels that communicate between the nose and sinuses. Decongestants also help relieve headache symptoms because they constrict blood vessels that cause headache pain. However, decongestant use can be habit forming. If your headaches seem to be relieved by decongestants but you do not have an acute sinus infection, you may actually have a migraine or tension-type headache.
Other medications to treat sinus infections include analgesics (pain-relieving medications) and vasoconstrictors. Corticosteroids may be prescribed for some people when the pain continues after the use of analgesics. When an allergen is causing the sinus flare-ups, preventive allergy therapy is often needed.
Although allergies may lead to sinusitis, it is a misconception that allergies directly cause headaches. Allergies and headaches generally must be treated separately.
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