| Real sinus pain is rare and for most of us, when | | | | doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment - |
| we believe we have a sinus headache, it’s | | | | never try to diagnose your own medical problems. |
| usually a migraine or a headache brought on by | | | | When you do have a sinus headache, there are |
| stress. Normally you get a sinus headache only | | | | some steps that you can take at home to relieve |
| when your sinuses themselves are inflamed and | | | | your pain. |
| the inflammation generally is accompanied by a | | | | * Humidify your air with a steam vaporizer or |
| fever. Inflammation can be caused by an allergy, | | | | cool-mist humidifier. Even vapor from a steaming |
| a tumor, or an infection, all of which can be | | | | basin of water or hot shower can help. |
| diagnosed and treated by your family doctor. | | | | Eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary and thyme oils are |
| Many people mistakenly believe that sinuses are | | | | additives that can be added to hot steam |
| limited to nasal passages. However, sinuses are | | | | treatments to help relieve the sinus headache in a |
| located in the forehead, on each cheekbone, and | | | | gentle and enjoyable manner. |
| behind the bridge of your nose. Healthy sinuses | | | | * Use a normal pain killer like Ibuprofen, |
| are filled with air and their secretions drain freely | | | | Acetaminophen, or plain aspirin. Many people make |
| into the nose. In addition to a sinus headache, | | | | the mistake of using a decongestant for sinus |
| when sinuses are blocked you have other | | | | headache. Antihistamines in decongestants can |
| symptoms like fever mentioned above and | | | | further dry out nasal passages and actually make |
| feelings of pressure around your eyes, cheeks | | | | a sinus headache worse! Use them only on your |
| and forehead. | | | | physician’s direct recommendation. |
| Colds and other respiratory viruses leave sinuses | | | | * Herbal tea may help relieve sinus headache. In |
| vulnerable to infection. Bacteria causes your | | | | any event, herbs are a generally safe way to |
| mucous membranes to swell which effectively | | | | supplement nutrients your body needs. Herbs |
| blocks your sinuses, which in turn blocks normal | | | | may also be purchased as capsules, tablets, or |
| drainage. Bending over or standing back up too | | | | tinctures at health food stores and many |
| quickly is excruciating. In addition, sinus infections | | | | pharmacies. Some herbs that are taken for sinus |
| can actually cause a feeling of toothache in some | | | | headache relief include Wild Indigo, Eyebright, |
| patients! In any event, because the causes of | | | | Licorice, Coneflower, Goldenseal, Jamaica |
| sinus headaches differ radically from the causes | | | | Dogwood, and St. John’s Wort. |
| of other headaches, it’s best to consult a | | | | |