How to Prevent a Sinus Headache

A sinus headache is symptomatic of inflamed sinuses, either from infection or allergies. Preventing the inflammation from occurring in the first place will help prevent sinus headaches.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Antimicrobial Soap
• Bottled Water

1. Eat well to keep your immune system strong, and stay away from people with colds and flu.

2. Wash your hands frequently, and keep your hands away from your face. If your finger grazes an infectious organism and you put your finger near your nose, you will inhale that infectious organism.

3. Exercise aerobically at least four times a week. Exercise helps the sinuses drain naturally, which reduces the likelihood that they will become clogged and inflamed.

4. Avoid cigarette smoke and allergens. If you are sensitive to pollens, molds, pet dander, certain foods or dust, stay away from them.

5. Drink plenty of water. Good hydration encourages your nose to drain naturally, thereby reducing the chances of nasal and sinus congestion.

6. Sleep sinus-healthy. Elevating the head of your bed 6 inches will help your sinuses drain better. Consider putting two 6-inch blocks under the legs of your headboard if you are prone to sinus headaches.

7. Avoid chocolate. Concentrated sweets may cause swelling in the nasal membranes, resulting in inflamed sinuses.

8. Stand on your head. This is the best way for sinuses to drain. If you are prone to sinus headaches, standing on your head a few minutes every day may be just enough to keep your sinuses clear and keep you headache-free.

Tips & Warnings

• Regular hand washing is the single best thing you can do to prevent infection of all types, including sinusitis. When you wash your hands in a public restroom, don't put your clean hands on the dirty door handle as you walk back out. Use the towel you wiped your hands on to grab the restroom door handle. Once you are out of the restroom, drop your towel into the wastebasket.
• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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[sophealen_ly]

on 6/15/2007 Besides from taking madicine to release your headach, one thing you should do is not drinking ice, and eating much spicy food. It does help you.

[Bucyrus]

on 6/14/2007 Keep in mind that in today's vernacular, any headache that's located above or behind the eyes is called a "sinus headache". 80% of these headaches are vascular meaning they arise from blood vessels covering the brain or cranial nerves (migraine, atypical migraine, etc.) and are not truly centered in the air cavities we call sinuses. It's important to distinguish as the treatment's totally different.
(an allergist)

[ralford100]

on 12/8/2006 Prevent Sinus Infections: It is very effective to flush your sinuses with salt water at the earliest indication of sinus problems. This can be done by "inhaling" a bowl of warm salt water or using a neti pot. A neti pot is much friendlier that inhaling the bowl of salt water.

on 11/22/2005 I have been plagued with sinus headaches and sinus congestion for 2 years. I used to have to take an allergy medicine and a nasal decongestant to get rid of my headaches every day, if that even helped. I would even suffer from severe brain fog, where I couldn't think clearly or concentrate. A month ago I started eating a bar of chocolate about every day and I haven't yet gotten a headache, felt congested, or felt brain fog! It's great. I'm really not sure how it could be working. I truly don't care, as long as I feel good. Now I don't worry if I'm going to wake-up tomorrow feeling like I can't think or dreading the day.

on 11/22/2005 My uncle told me to take cod liver oil capsules. I think that they work because I can tell when I forget to take them for a couple of days.