North Richmond Today

• Your sinuses are located inside your forehead, cheekbones, and behind your nose.
• Headaches related to sinus issues typically involve discomfort and pressure in the facial region.
• Consulting with a sinus specialist for tailored treatment may improve your ability to manage and alleviate headache challenges.

If you're grappling with headaches, they could be stemming from sinus congestion. Dr. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free said sinus pain and headaches can be interchangeable.

"A sinus headache is when you have pain in the distribution of your sinuses," Dr. Ditto told North Richmond Today. "What I mean by that is that your sinuses are in your forehead, your sinuses are behind your cheeks, your sinuses are next to your eyes, and you have a sinus way in the back center of where the nose meets the back of the throat. It's called the sphenoid sinus. You can have unilateral facial pain that can be due to the different forms of headaches. The challenge is to differentiate between what's a headache, like facial pain or a migraine, and what's sinus pain, and sometimes the two overlap."

Sinuses are air-filled cavities located within your forehead, cheekbones, and behind the bridge of your nose, according to WebMD. When these spaces become inflamed, often due to an allergic reaction or infection, they undergo swelling, increased mucus production, and potential blockage of draining channels. The resulting pressure buildup in your sinuses manifests as pain resembling a headache.

WebMD lists short-term antibiotics, antihistamines, or decongestants as treatments for these types of headaches. The publication notes secondary treatments such as inhaled nasal decongestants, pain relievers, and, if ineffective, corticosteroids can be prescribed to reduce sinus inflammation. In more serious cases, a sinus procedure may be recommended to address persistent swelling, which can, in turn, treat headaches caused by sinusitis.

According to the Mayo Clinic, if you're experiencing sinus headaches for more than 15 days per month and over-the-counter medication isn't helpful enough, or if your headaches are interfering with your daily life, it's strongly advised to seek treatment from a specialist.

Dr. Ditto received his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, where he earned recognition for his research efforts, according to Richmond Breathe Free's website. He then went on to receive specialized training in ear, nose, and throat disorders at the University of Michigan's Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.