Drugs and natural remedies are available for sinus headache relief. During colds and flu episodes, the sinuses can become inflamed or congested. The symptoms of sinusitis whether acute or chronic include:
- nasal discharge;
- a stuffy nose;
- pain between the eyes as well as on the sides of the nose;
- loss of taste and smell;
- dizzy spells due to the breathing difficulty that does not allow the brain to receive enough oxygen;
- eye redness etc.
Sinus headaches tend to become more severe when you bend down or when you make sudden head movements.
The congested sinuses represent an environment that favors the proliferation of bacteria, therefore, sinus infections may develop.
Treatments for immediate and permanent sinus headache relief
Pharmaceutical formulas of nasal decongestants abound on the market, and they can be purchased without medical prescription. Most such over-the-counter remedies are sprays and inhalers. The sinus headache relief settles in gradually after spray usage as breathing becomes easier and the pressure in the sinuses drops.
Nasal sprays can only be used for a limited period of time because of their side effects. Moreover, the daily recommended dosage should be strictly respected in order not to cause adverse reactions. Sprays can be combined with anti-inflammatory medicine but only according to doctor’s orders.
Sometimes the specialist may decide to prescribe an antibiotic in case an infection is suspected and then confirmed by lab tests. In very serious cases surgery to clean the sinuses is necessary. Sinus headache relief occurs only after all the accumulated purulent discharge is eliminated completely. Only then is the pressure on the sinuses gone.
Natural remedies
Steam baths are incredibly efficient in the treatment of sinus headache relief. Here are two great combinations to use for the steam bath:
- three handfuls of sea salt, three spoonfuls of thyme, the juice of a big lemon and two spoonfuls of baking soda;
- three handfuls of sea salt, five spoonfuls of chamomile and five drops of essential lavender oil;
- mix five drops from each of the following essential oils: peppermint, eucalyptus and pine.
All of the above combinations have to be added in three liters of boiling water. Keep your head above the vessel or close to it so as to inhale the steam. Such a treatment should be used for seven or ten days in a row, preferably in the evening before going to bed.
You can use herbal supplements in parallel to achieve even better sinus headache relief. Sometimes rubbing some lavender oil on the forehead and on the sides of the nose alleviates the pain and reduces the discomfort.
People who suffer from frequent sinus headaches are usually diagnosed with sinusitis. The condition may become chronic, as the person keeps suffering from various painful sinusitis episodes for years and years. Abrupt weather changes and extreme weather elements are most likely to favor a sinusitis crisis. Make sure you don’t abuse pain killers and remember to use natural sinus headache relief too in order to prevent side effects.