Comments on: How to Care for a Sinus Headache

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.

on 2/8/2006 Use a saline spray, like Ocean spray. You can also use distilled water and salt--toss out what you don't use. You can use a pinched, small, Styrofoam cup to pour a little into your nostrils. Spray very liberally --make sure you have tissues handy. If you have a bad case you can also tip your head back and allow the saline to run down the back of your throat and back into your mouth--spit it out. Do not under any circumstances attempt to irrigate the sinuses above your eyes by tipping your head upside down--those sinuses are usually sterile and once infected are very difficult to treat.

on 1/2/2006 If you have a sinus headache, and it goes in your neck, have a friend massage your neck for about ten minutes then take a hot shower. It always helps me.

on 11/22/2005 A bowl of simple hot soup with some cayenne and crushed red pepper has helped my sinus headaches out a lot.
I just take about 1 1/2 cups of water, and add enough natural soy sauce for my taste, but not too much. I use natural because the other kind has MSG in it and that makes it a lot worse.
Then as the water starts to boil I add a bit of cayenne, chives, and crushed red pepper. It isn't very exciting tasting, but it isn't bland and gross either. It seems to help a lot.
If your sinuses are really congested and you can't seem to get rid of it, instead of dealing with the side effects of prescriptions, try garlic. Finely chop a large clove, and eat it raw, chewing well. It is by far the most intense and unpleasant flavor, but... it works miraculously! Even though I am having another sinus problem this fall, it isn't half as bad as it was last year before I tried garlic.

on 11/22/2005 Drink creme soda, this helps eliminate that horrible taste from Biaxin (usually prescribed for sinus infections). A drug representative told me this, and it has helped.

on 11/22/2005 Two things really help me with a sinus headache;
Number one, try bending over as if to touch your toes (your head completely upside down). Stay in this position for at least a half minute or full minute, then stand up and hold your head elevated. Repeat this lots of times and you will feel the mucous that's clogging your sinuses starting to move. You may have to do this several times a day. Also, you can experiment with turning your head on its side or in different positions when you raise back up. I found this method out when I had to do work that required similar motion. After a short while my headache was gone!
Also, sources of warmth and humidity work wonders- compresses, steam or other humidity (hot shower, hot soup).

on 11/22/2005 I had a severely clogged sinus with headaches and face pain for 2 months until a doctor gave me prednisone pills that opened and drained my sinus almost immediately.

on 11/22/2005 Turn on the hot water in the shower, and let it run for a few minutes before you get in. The steam helps loosen up some of the gunk and makes your sinuses drain easier. This also works for a scratchy throat caused by a chest cold.

on 11/22/2005 They sell these wonderful items, what we call snot pots. Any Drugstore has them. Although I'm not sure the name. They use warm saline water to rinse out your sinuses. It's the best thing we have ever bought! Check with your Doctor to make sure it's ok to use one during an infection.

on 11/22/2005 Many people respond to sinusitis differently. For me, I had no headaches, but just a feeling of nausea, a severe loss of appetite (not good considering I'm very thin already), and a constant bad taste in my mouth and bad smell.

The only way to mask a bad taste is to replace it with another taste. Chew strongly-flavored gum if you can, or at least eat a cracker and leave it in your mouth for as long as possible.

If you see your doctor, you'll probably be prescribed Biaxin, a medicine that leaves an incredibly awful metallic aftertaste in your mouth. You can lessen the bad aftertaste by keeping the pill from touching your tongue. I discovered that by inserting the pill in a spoonful of oatmeal and then gulping the oatmeal down, the aftertaste wasn't nearly as severe. Also remember to take steamy baths and showers when you can, and of course, drink lots of fluids. Hope that helps!

on 11/22/2005 Use a humidifier with a drop or two of natural pure eucalyptus oil in it at night. This will help drain your sinuses naturally and effectively.

on 11/22/2005 When my dishwasher is done washing, I open the door half way, stand over it with a towel draped over my head and inhale the steam. Be careful! Do not put your face too close to the dishwasher.