How to Care for a Sinus Headache

A sinus headache is a symptom of inflamed, congested sinuses. To get rid of your headache, you must reduce the inflammation in your sinuses. Learning the cause will make it easier to treat.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Humidifiers
• Teas
• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Vitamin B-complex And Vitamin C
• Warm Compresses

1. Take acetaminophen, aspirin (if older than 18) or ibuprofen for pain relief.

2. Apply warm compresses to the site of your pain four times a day.

3. Call your doctor if the drainage from your nose is discolored. Clear or slightly white mucus is acceptable. Yellow, rust-colored or green drainage indicates a serious infection and is cause for concern.

4. Use extra pillows to elevate your head, which will allow your sinuses to drain.

5. Try using a nasal spray or a decongestant. Depending on the cause of your sinusitis, over-the-counter decongestants may offer some relief. Do not use nasal sprays for more than a few days because they can become addictive. If sinusitis persists, see a doctor.

6. Avoid allergens if you suspect your sinusitis is allergy-related.

7. Keep your distance from people with colds and flu. Your body is already compromised and fighting off an inflammatory process.

8. Eat properly to help increase your body's resistance to disease.

9. Get plenty of rest. Catnaps can do a lot to lessen the severity of a sinus headache. Stress and fatigue may aggravate it.

10. Try increasing the humidity in your room. Use a humidifier, or take a hot bath or shower. Boil a pot of water, take it off the stove, drape a towel over your head and the pot, and inhale the steam for 10 minutes, four times a day. Keep your face at least 18 inches away from the pot to avoid burning yourself.

11. Increase your fluid intake. This encourages your sinuses to drain by hydrating your body. Hot (non-caffeinated) tea is especially good because the steam loosens congestion in your sinuses.

Tips & Warnings

• Blow your nose with your mouth slightly open and through both your nostrils. This helps to equalize the pressure in your sinuses.
• Avoid blowing your nose too hard.
• Call your doctor for persistent fever, ringing in your ears, eye drainage or facial swelling associated with your sinus headache.
• This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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[cathy7268]

on 10/16/2009 do two things that always help me. First, I use my aromatherapy eye pillow that I keep in the freezer. I put it over my eyes and temples. I use peppermint, so it starts to open up my sinuses immediately. The cold flax seed helps to bring the swelling down around my eyes and sinus cavities. After using it for around twenty minutes, I put it back in the freezer. Then I use my netti pot to clean out my sinus cavities that are opened up because of the eye pillow. If necessary, I will use the aromatherapy eye pillow again to soothe my temples, relax and feel complete headache relief. I bought my peppermint eye pillow at A Touch Of Satin, http://www.atouchofsatin.com and it's amazing. I bought my netti pot at CVS. I hope you try this. It really helps!

[Wolfgangflow]

on 12/9/2008 I put vapo-rub solution in a humidifier, I lie on a small neck vibrator which sits on low and I drink hot tea with lemon. I must admit I do take ibuprofen because I can get nasty sinus infections.....But all these things make it go away in a few hours. I also will eat things I can put tobasco sauce upon which helps greatly. If something severe starts happening I'll turn on my shower, steam up my bathroom, put vapo-rub on my upper lip and place pepper under my tongue and sit in the middle of the bathroom practically doing yoga. It works very well. Good luck everyone.

on 8/10/2006 I noticed after I ate a slice of pizza with crushed red pepper- my headache was completely gone! I have sinus headaches frequently, any season, any time of the month.

Now, I swear on my crushed red pepper flakes. I'm sure everyone is worried about our stomachs, and we don't want to take a bunch of meds. I found a way to alleviate my headaches that works for me. I just try to eat a piece of bread with the crushed red pepper flakes. No meds, that's it, and I have took care of my headache and saved my stomach.
I hope this works for you all.

on 8/8/2006 I alternate a heating pad with a pan of hot water, in which I put a towel over my head and allow the steam to moisten my sinuses. It sometimes takes a couple of days of diligently doing this, but it can save you from having to be on antibiotics too. Also, drink lots of liquids. This is going to bring moisture to the area, and relieve the dryness causing the blockage.

on 7/15/2006 If you think you have a sinus infection, or any condition which is causing frequent sinus headaches, avoid dairy products as they can cause mucus to thicken, making it harder for it to drain out.