Sinus Headache Treatment
What are Sinuses?
Your sinuses are the hollow spaces found behind your forehead, cheeks and nose. They are named according the area of the face they are located; the frontal sinuses are located in the forehead, the maxillary sinuses are located behind your cheeks, the sphenoid sinuses are located just behind your eyes and the ethmoid sinuses are located behind your nose. They form a network of cavities that allows air-flow and the drainage of mucous that helps to prevent infections and the introduction of pathogens into the body [1].
Your sinuses can often get inflamed as a result of allergic reactions or infection. This inflammation can cause increased mucous production in your sinuses, resulting in painful blockages. The pain can be felt in the forehead, eyes, nose, cheeks or even teeth.
What is Sinus Headache?
Sinus Headache is experienced in the sinus and nose area. This type of headache is bilateral in nature, where symptoms are felt on both sides of the sinuses/nose.
Sinusitis vs Migraine
The location of pain experienced in a sinus headache can be similar to that experienced in a migraine. In sufferers of sinus headache, they will generally also experience; runny nose or congestion during their headache, watery eyes during their headache or increased pressure in or around their sinuses [2].
What is the cause of Sinus Headache?
The common belief is that Sinus Headaches are caused by respiratory infections like a cold or flu, or allergies such as hay-fever. An infection inside the sinus results in headache and migraine-like pain. When an allergen, such as dust or pollen, enters the body, the naval cavity and sinuses sense this as a threat or pathogen. This threat is detected by the trigeminal nerve, passing that information on to ‘superior salivatory nucleus’, which proceeds to fill the sinus with excess mucous, so that the pathogen or allergen is removed out the nose or digested when swallowed. The pressure that can develop is what is experienced as a headache or migraine [2].
In the patients that we see with sinus headaches, they are found to have dysfunction in the upper cervical spine, resulting in a sensitised brainstem, that we can use to reproduce their headaches. Those that have this sensitised brainstem will also have an over-sensitive trigeminal nerve. Activity that was previously not perceived as a threat by the trigeminal nerve is now triggering sinusitis. This over-reaction can now cause subsequent infection due to the increase in bacteria-dense mucous in the sinuses and nasal cavity. Frome here, frequent and recurrent sinus headaches can be triggered [3].
Prevention
Incorporating some lifestyle changes may help you with preventing sinus headaches. These may include:
- Exercising
- Physical activity has been shown to improve general well-being and quality of life. With the correct training, exercises can improve muscular endurance and/or strength. You could try to add in simple exercises daily to improve your function.
- Avoiding Triggers
- Try to avoid certain foods, smells, environments and/or activities that have triggered your headaches in the past.
- Reducing stress
- Having stress in our lives can often cause muscular tension, typically along the neck and shoulder muscles. This can play a role in headaches. Finding relaxation strategies such as breathing techniques and/or doing things you enjoy doing are good ways of reducing stress.
I’ve tried it all, is there anything else that can help?
Many of our patients have tried everything available to them in attempts to treat their sinus headaches. These include; painkillers, decongestants, anti-histamines, air humidifiers, nasal rinsing or even sinus surgery. Despite these continued attempts, they still suffer from their sinus headaches. For these patients, at The Headache and Migraine Clinic, we specialise in assessing the role of the upper cervical spine and the sensitised brainstem, as being the root cause of these headaches.
If we can assess and determine that, in fact, the upper cervical spine and the sensitised brainstem are the root cause, then treatment can start right away. We use safe, gentle techniques that are non-invasive and medication-free. We expect to see results rapidly, within the first 5-6 treatment sessions, as we do with 85-90% of our patients. At The Headache and Migraine Clinic, we aren’t in the business of giving false hope, if we find that the brainstem and upper cervical spine aren’t a cause of your headaches, we will unfortunately not be able to help you but will let you know in session one and refer you on to a practitioner who can.
Imagine living a life free from headaches and migraines and saying goodbye to medications!
To gain your recovery today contact us on 1800 HEADACHE (toll free)
1800 43 23 22
Common Headaches Treated
The Assessment
Phase 1
Accurately diagnose your condition for effective treatment
The Treatment
Phase 2
Experience the latest treatment methods that are evidence-based
The Results
Phase 3
A life free from migraines or headaches is now proven possible
The Difference
Phase 4
A medication-free solution that treats the cause not the symptons
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What are Cluster Headaches?
Cluster Headaches are a rare type of headaches that affect around 0.1% of the population, according to the International Headache Society. While they are rare, it does affect males 3-4 times more frequently than females [1].
Despite being uncommon, Cluster Headaches are regarded as being the most severe and debilitating type of headache. Research has shown Cluster Headaches frequently described as having the highest pain levels [2], out of all 300 different types of headache and migraine. Cluster Headache attacks occur in cycles, and will often wake sufferers during the night, or at regular times during the day. Attacks generally last between 15-180 minutes, and can happen multiple times per day, or once every couple of days [1, 2]. People who suffer from Cluster Headaches generally experience periods of attacks, or “cluster periods” that can last weeks or months. These periods are then followed by periods of remission lasting weeks, months or even years. The pain is often severe, on one-side of the head, and generally around the eye and/or temple region. Cluster Headaches have adopted the nickname, ‘suicide headaches’ due to their severe and debilitating nature [2].
What are the signs and symptoms?
Cluster Headaches are often severe enough that a sufferer cannot keep still during an attack. They may pace back and forth, have to take a shower, or even resort to banging their head in an attempt to reduce the pan.
Symptoms commonly associated with Cluster Headaches include [2]:
- Severe pain around one eye, that can radiate further around the face or neck
- Restlessness, shortness of breath and/or a sweaty face
- Watery/teary eyes or eye redness
- Swollen or droopy eyelids
- Runny or congested nose
- Pale or flushed skin
- Pain is unilateral, or affects only one side
What are the different types of Cluster Headache?
There are 2 types of cluster headache.
Episodic Cluster Headache
Cluster Headaches most commonly occur episodically. This is when sufferers experience bouts of “cluster periods” that can last for weeks or months, followed by an extended period in remission that can last up to years. They can occur seasonally or at set times each year. Episodic Cluster Headaches account for up to 80% of all Cluster Headaches [1, 2].
Chronic Cluster Headache
When Cluster Headaches occur without a prolonged period of remission, they are termed a Chronic Cluster headache. Sufferers often have “cluster periods” that will last over a year. While they may have days without attacks, the remissions will not last longer than a month.
What are the risk factors?
- Men are 5-6 times more likely to experience cluster headaches
- Sufferers are generally heavy smokers
- Higher alcohol consumption may be a factor
- Cluster Headaches most commonly affect people aged 20-50, but can occur at any age
- People with family members who are sufferers may be at a higher risk
What causes Cluster Headaches?
Historically, it was believed that cluster headaches, as well as migraines, were caused by the dilation of blood vessels in the head, causing pain. This was thought because medications, like triptans, are effective at relieving the pain if taking early enough in an attack. It was believed that triptans prevent this vessel dilation. However, recent research has shown that Cluster Headache and migraine sufferers do not experience blood vessel dilation at any different levels to people who do not suffer. So, how do these medications work?
Modern research has shown that Cluster Headaches and migraines arise from increased sensitivity in the central nervous system [2], more specifically, a sensitised brainstem which is located in the upper cervical spine (the upper neck). Faults in the upper neck can lead to this sensitised brainstem, which then can refer severe pain and associated symptoms into the head and face [3]. Triptan medication has also more recently been shown to de-sensitise the brainstem [4], as well as its original purpose of constricting blood vessels in the head. This would explain why they work, as well as identifying a sensitised brainstem and the cervical spine as a cause of cluster headaches.
I've tried it all, is there anything that can help me?
While Cluster Headaches are very uncommon, they are still experienced in the Gold Coast region. The severity of symptoms causes sufferers to try a range of therapies in an attempt to resolve them, with mixed results. Often, they have tried; medications, injection therapy, or even surgical interventions such as, nerve blocks or blood vessel cauterisation.
At The Headache and Migraine Clinic, we aim to use the most modern research to find the root cause of your cluster headaches. If we can determine that a sensitised brainstem is the cause of your headaches, then we can use world-leading treatment techniques to address the faults in your neck and de-sensitise the brainstem. We have seen plenty of Cluster Headache sufferers at our clinics, and have an 85-90% success rate with our treatment technique. The best part is that it is safe, non-invasive and medication-free.
