Learn about sinus headaches, including their symptoms, causes, and common misdiagnoses. Understand how sinus inflammation and infections contribute to headache pain and how to differentiate them from migraines for proper treatment.

All About Sinus Headaches: Causes and Symptoms

Sinus-related headaches cause pain around the face and eyes, mainly due to nasal congestion. Typical signs include blocked nose, facial pressure, watery eyes, nausea, and increased light sensitivity. These symptoms are often confused with migraines because they appear similar. They are more common during weather changes.

What Are Sinus Headaches?

They are usually caused by sinus inflammation or infection, which should be confirmed through imaging. Treatment with antibiotics is necessary if infection is present. Inflammation alone, without infection, usually doesn’t lead to headaches.

Common Misdiagnosis of Sinus Headaches

Because symptoms overlap with migraines, many mistake sinus headaches for migraines. This can lead to wrong treatments, making the condition worse. Healthcare providers can also misdiagnose, resulting in ineffective care. Patients often find current treatments unsatisfactory due to these errors.