Millions of people suffer from sinus headaches. So, what causes this awful pain? Sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinus cavities due to infections. These infections could be viral, fungal or bacterial. Pressure is created by the inflammation and this leads to a headache. Sinusitis can range from acute to chronic. Acute sinusitis last up to 4 weeks, sub acute sinusitis will last for 4-8 weeks and chronic sinusitis plagues the sufferer for more than 8 weeks. How to get rid of sinus headache pain can be answered medically or non-medically.
Sometimes sinus headaches may be relieved with over the counter decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine stimulates the cell receptors in the nose, throat and sinuses. The blood vessels in these areas narrow, leading to reduced inflammation and the development of mucus. Now that you have less inflamed blood vessels and mucus draining from the sinus cavities, pain from headache is eased.
More serious infections may require a trip to the doctor's office. Your physician may find that you need a prescription for a more powerful decongestant. He or she may also determine that antibiotics are necessary. A broad-spectrum antibiotic, such as cephalosporin, might be used to fight a wide array of bacteria or a narrow-spectrum one, such as penicillin, may be used to target very specific bacteria culprits.
One non-medicinal method to alleviating headache pain from sinusitis is to use a humidifier, which increases the moisture in the air. A steam humidifier (vaporizer) can be particularly helpful. This appliance boils the water in its tank which releases steam into the room. A mentholated medicated inhalant can also be added to the vaporizer to help reduce congestion. Additionally, since the moisture released into the room is from boiled water, vaporizers maybe healthier than cool mist humidifiers which may transmit impurities that have not been boiled away from the standing water in the tank.
For the very low-tech headache sufferer, a hot shower often brings relief. Steam in the shower will help in draining excess mucus from the sinuses. This in turn eases headaches.
Sinus headaches are no fun. Fortunately there are myriad options for sufferers to turn to, both pharmacological and non-medicinal. If the condition unduly persists or becomes more severe a trip to the doctor is strongly advised.
Sometimes sinus headaches may be relieved with over the counter decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine stimulates the cell receptors in the nose, throat and sinuses. The blood vessels in these areas narrow, leading to reduced inflammation and the development of mucus. Now that you have less inflamed blood vessels and mucus draining from the sinus cavities, pain from headache is eased.
More serious infections may require a trip to the doctor's office. Your physician may find that you need a prescription for a more powerful decongestant. He or she may also determine that antibiotics are necessary. A broad-spectrum antibiotic, such as cephalosporin, might be used to fight a wide array of bacteria or a narrow-spectrum one, such as penicillin, may be used to target very specific bacteria culprits.
One non-medicinal method to alleviating headache pain from sinusitis is to use a humidifier, which increases the moisture in the air. A steam humidifier (vaporizer) can be particularly helpful. This appliance boils the water in its tank which releases steam into the room. A mentholated medicated inhalant can also be added to the vaporizer to help reduce congestion. Additionally, since the moisture released into the room is from boiled water, vaporizers maybe healthier than cool mist humidifiers which may transmit impurities that have not been boiled away from the standing water in the tank.
For the very low-tech headache sufferer, a hot shower often brings relief. Steam in the shower will help in draining excess mucus from the sinuses. This in turn eases headaches.
Sinus headaches are no fun. Fortunately there are myriad options for sufferers to turn to, both pharmacological and non-medicinal. If the condition unduly persists or becomes more severe a trip to the doctor is strongly advised.
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