When your sinuses become clogged, you feel deep pain and pressure above your nose and between your eyes, this pain is known as sinus headache. Sinus headaches are triggered by multiple causes, including allergies, pressure changes in the ear, tooth infection, swimming in polluted water, or a cold.
During a sinus headache, tissue in the nasal passages becomes inflamed and prevents drainage of nasal secretions. Sinus infections can flare up at any time of the year but some people may notice a particular pattern at certain times of the year due to changes in activities or release of pollens, etc.
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Many sinus headaches exhibit the same symptoms as tension headaches or migraines. Sometimes, the people who think they have sinus headaches don’t really have them. Instead, they, or their doctors, mistake tension or migraine headaches for sinus headaches. One study found that of 100 people who believed they had sinus headaches, almost 90% actually seemed to have migraine headaches.
Here's how to differentiate between sinus and other types of headache.
If you feel pain around the eye you are most likely to suffer from migraine whereas if the pain is concentrated in the forehead and neck then it is a sign of tension headache.
Let's find out what exactly is sinus headache.
You have the sinus headache when you feel throbbing pain in the front of your forehead and face. The pain is often dull but not sharp with the intensity becoming worse with any slight movement such as bending down or leaning over.
Once you have determined the type of headache the next step is to find the right treatment. For example if your headache is due to allergies, avoiding allergens may be the best treatment option.
However, you can get immediate relief from sinus headache by drinking plenty of water and over-the-counter pain killer such as paracetamol or cetrazine. I have heard that this approach does not always work. Obviously, there are many other ways ranging from conventional to natural treatments.
Here are some best sinus headache home remedies and I am sure you will find one or several that work well for you.
9) Pressure Point
Last but not the least, you can use sinus pressure relief techniques, to rid yourself of the nagging headache. One such technique to relieve sinus pressure is to apply pressure on the point where the thumb and index finger of your hands meet. Apply as much pressure as possible. This will bring instant relief from your headache.
During a sinus headache, tissue in the nasal passages becomes inflamed and prevents drainage of nasal secretions. Sinus infections can flare up at any time of the year but some people may notice a particular pattern at certain times of the year due to changes in activities or release of pollens, etc.
Many sinus headaches exhibit the same symptoms as tension headaches or migraines. Sometimes, the people who think they have sinus headaches don’t really have them. Instead, they, or their doctors, mistake tension or migraine headaches for sinus headaches. One study found that of 100 people who believed they had sinus headaches, almost 90% actually seemed to have migraine headaches.
Here's how to differentiate between sinus and other types of headache.
If you feel pain around the eye you are most likely to suffer from migraine whereas if the pain is concentrated in the forehead and neck then it is a sign of tension headache.
Let's find out what exactly is sinus headache.
You have the sinus headache when you feel throbbing pain in the front of your forehead and face. The pain is often dull but not sharp with the intensity becoming worse with any slight movement such as bending down or leaning over.
So it is important to consult your doctor to accurately diagnose the type of headache from which you are suffering.
Once you have determined the type of headache the next step is to find the right treatment. For example if your headache is due to allergies, avoiding allergens may be the best treatment option.
However, you can get immediate relief from sinus headache by drinking plenty of water and over-the-counter pain killer such as paracetamol or cetrazine. I have heard that this approach does not always work. Obviously, there are many other ways ranging from conventional to natural treatments.
Here are some best sinus headache home remedies and I am sure you will find one or several that work well for you.
1) Take good care of yourself
Maintaining a healthy immune system will bolster your resistance to germs, leaving you less likely to catch a cold or come down with the flu and making the symptoms more manageable if you do get sick. To shore up your body's defenses, you can start by eating right, staying in shape, and getting plenty of rest. Sinus headaches can be uncomfortable and painful especially when you also have the congestion so it is best not to exhaust your body further.
2) Hydrate
Keeping yourself well hydrated helps to ensure your sinuses are well, which can ease sinusitis. So drink plenty of fluids -- eight tall glasses of water a day is a good goal. Fill a tall bottle with cool water and keep it at hand so that you can take small sips throughout the day.
3) Steam Inhalation
Inhaling steam by adding few drops of peppermint oil in an oil burner two or three times a day can relieve sinus headaches as the menthol in the oil contain decongestant, analgesic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.
You can also inhale steam from a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head. Alternatively, you can add other oil such as eucalyptus, chamomile, spearmint oil which has similar properties as peppermint oil. A combination of warm steam and oils help to open your nasal passage, soothe the mucus lining and at the same time allows you to breathe easily.
6) Use Ginger
Ginger is perhaps one of the most ancient ingredients that has been used by various civilizations for a range of ailments. The common ginger that we use casually in our dishes contains many useful components including volatile oils, gingerols, shogaols and pungent phenols. Of all these, pungent phenols and volatile oils in ginger are thought to be excellent expectorant. As per the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy, dietary polyphenols like gingerol, quercetin, and EGCG, are capable of inhibiting the secretion of mucus from respiratory epithelial cells while maintaining normal nasal ciliary motion. Using ginger, thus, may give you easy breathing and comfort from nasal pressure due to blocked sinus. You may use ginger for sinus infection in a variety of ways.
How to Use Ginger for Sinus Infection?
3) Ginger Compress
Make ginger tea following the steps given above in the 1st way to use ginger for sinus infection. Don’t add honey though. Let the tea cool down a little. Check its temperature with your finger after sometime. If you can tolerate this, the tea is ready for further use. Dip the hand towel in the warm ginger tea and soak to absorb the tea. Now take it out and squeeze to drain off the excessive tea.
Now lay down on your back and close your eyes. Place the warm towel on your face and breathe in deeply. Repeat this 4-5 times or till the ginger tea is completely cold.
8) Neti Pot
Using Neti pot will help in clearing the sinuses, which in turn will help to reduce headache. Combine a teaspoon of salt with half teaspoon of baking soda with 1 pint of lukewarm water. Pour the water solution in the Neti pot. Now take the Neti pot in your hand, tilt your head, so that it is at a 45 degree angle. The opening of the Neti pot should be placed on the opening of the top nostril. Now gently pour the contents into the nostril cavity and slowly it will make its way out of the other nostril. Once the saline water is over, blow both the nostril, so any remaining bits of saline water comes out of it. Repeat the same procedure on the other nostril as well. At the end, blow both the nostrils, so that mucus also comes out and the nasal passage is clear.
3) Steam Inhalation
Inhaling steam by adding few drops of peppermint oil in an oil burner two or three times a day can relieve sinus headaches as the menthol in the oil contain decongestant, analgesic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.
You can also inhale steam from a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head. Alternatively, you can add other oil such as eucalyptus, chamomile, spearmint oil which has similar properties as peppermint oil. A combination of warm steam and oils help to open your nasal passage, soothe the mucus lining and at the same time allows you to breathe easily.
4) Clear the air.
Avoid pollutants in the air, stay indoors if the air quality is poor, and above all, avoid anyone who is smoking a cigarette. Obviously, puffing on a cigarette yourself is like writing a request for a sinusitis attack.
5) Control allergies.
5) Control allergies.
Since allergies can cause sinusitis, know your allergy triggers and do your best to avoid them. If that is not possible, see an allergist to investigate desensitization treatments designed to help the body develop an immunity to the offending substance.
Take the pressure off -- use the home remedies in this article to avoid the next sinusitis attack. If the symptoms come on despite your best efforts, be sure to see your doctor before taking any medication.
Take the pressure off -- use the home remedies in this article to avoid the next sinusitis attack. If the symptoms come on despite your best efforts, be sure to see your doctor before taking any medication.
6) Use Ginger
Ginger is perhaps one of the most ancient ingredients that has been used by various civilizations for a range of ailments. The common ginger that we use casually in our dishes contains many useful components including volatile oils, gingerols, shogaols and pungent phenols. Of all these, pungent phenols and volatile oils in ginger are thought to be excellent expectorant. As per the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy, dietary polyphenols like gingerol, quercetin, and EGCG, are capable of inhibiting the secretion of mucus from respiratory epithelial cells while maintaining normal nasal ciliary motion. Using ginger, thus, may give you easy breathing and comfort from nasal pressure due to blocked sinus. You may use ginger for sinus infection in a variety of ways.
How to Use Ginger for Sinus Infection?
1) Ginger Tea
Grate fresh ginger root- 1-2 inches piece, place the grated ginger in a pot, vessel or a cup.
Pour boiling water over this ginger. Allow to steep for about 10 minutes. Strain and add honey if using. Honey will soothe your sore throat if it accompanies your cold and cough.
Sip your ginger for relief from nasal congestion, cough, cold etc. due to your sinusitis.
Grate fresh ginger root- 1-2 inches piece, place the grated ginger in a pot, vessel or a cup.
Pour boiling water over this ginger. Allow to steep for about 10 minutes. Strain and add honey if using. Honey will soothe your sore throat if it accompanies your cold and cough.
Sip your ginger for relief from nasal congestion, cough, cold etc. due to your sinusitis.
2) Ginger Extract
Chop fresh ginger root in small pieces. Crush the chopped ginger with the help of mortar and pestle. Place the crushed ginger on a sieve or a cheesecloth. With the help of the back of a spoon or fingers press the ginger to extract its juice. Take 1-2 tsp of this ginger extract twice a day.
Chop fresh ginger root in small pieces. Crush the chopped ginger with the help of mortar and pestle. Place the crushed ginger on a sieve or a cheesecloth. With the help of the back of a spoon or fingers press the ginger to extract its juice. Take 1-2 tsp of this ginger extract twice a day.
3) Ginger Compress
Make ginger tea following the steps given above in the 1st way to use ginger for sinus infection. Don’t add honey though. Let the tea cool down a little. Check its temperature with your finger after sometime. If you can tolerate this, the tea is ready for further use. Dip the hand towel in the warm ginger tea and soak to absorb the tea. Now take it out and squeeze to drain off the excessive tea.
Now lay down on your back and close your eyes. Place the warm towel on your face and breathe in deeply. Repeat this 4-5 times or till the ginger tea is completely cold.
7) Warm Water
The simplest of home remedies is to drink a lot of warm water. I will suggest, whenever you drink water, drink only warm water. If possible, you can drink hot water as well. It will help in minimizing the symptoms sooner.
Using Neti pot will help in clearing the sinuses, which in turn will help to reduce headache. Combine a teaspoon of salt with half teaspoon of baking soda with 1 pint of lukewarm water. Pour the water solution in the Neti pot. Now take the Neti pot in your hand, tilt your head, so that it is at a 45 degree angle. The opening of the Neti pot should be placed on the opening of the top nostril. Now gently pour the contents into the nostril cavity and slowly it will make its way out of the other nostril. Once the saline water is over, blow both the nostril, so any remaining bits of saline water comes out of it. Repeat the same procedure on the other nostril as well. At the end, blow both the nostrils, so that mucus also comes out and the nasal passage is clear.
Last but not the least, you can use sinus pressure relief techniques, to rid yourself of the nagging headache. One such technique to relieve sinus pressure is to apply pressure on the point where the thumb and index finger of your hands meet. Apply as much pressure as possible. This will bring instant relief from your headache.
These home remedies a really helpful to get rid of sinus headache try them to find out the best suitable remedy for you.
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