Sinusitis & Headache

Many people think their headaches are due to sinusitis, but this isn’t usually the case. Although headaches can be a symptom of sinusitis, sinusitis is a distinct medical condition. Sinusitis is an inflammation and/or infection of the sinuses. Some of the causes include allergies, smoke, respiratory infections and immune deficiency. Sinusitis may have a sudden onset and be of short duration or can be a chronic condition, characterized by at least four recurrences of sinusitis or infection that last 12 weeks or longer.

Common symptoms of sinusitis include facial pain/pressure, nasal blockage and pus discharge, and frontal headache. Other symptoms include fever, bad breath, and fatigue.

The clinical diagnosis of sinusitis can be based on symptoms or, even better, confirmed by nasal endoscopy or a CT scan of the sinuses. Treatments include decongestants and antibiotics.