There are various treatments for sufferers of sinus headaches. The symptoms of a sinus headache are an aching pain in the sinuses, which is the area of the forehead, cheekbones, and the bridge of the nose. Sometimes, pain may even occur in your teeth. When you bend down, the pain usually worsens.
The most effective way to get rid of a sinus headache is to treat the underlying sinus infection or inflammation.
Medications
One treatment is the use of antibiotics. For bacterial sinusitis, usually an antibiotic is prescribed for 10 to 14 days and is sufficient to wipe out the infection. With chronic sinusitis, the doctor may prescribe three to four weeks of antibiotics. When the infection clears up, the sinus headache will go away. But until that happens, decongestants and antihistamines may also be used to help relieve the symptoms.
Nasal Irrigation
Clearing out the nasal passages is another method to relieve the discomfort of sinus headaches and can be performed in a variety of ways. One form of nasal irrigation is hot compresses, which when applied to the sinuses, stimulate the movement of tiny hairs in the nasal cavity, thereby loosening up the mucus and removing it from the sinuses. Additional ways to help clear nasal passages are over-the-counter saline nasal sprays, humidifiers and steam.
A neti pot, also called a "nose bidet," can be used to wash mucus out of the sinuses. Warm saltwater is placed in the little pot and you pour it down each nostril while tilting your head. According to an article published on the Brown University Web site, using a neti pot for nasal irrigation can be more effective than medications, and if you do need medications, the improved cleanliness of the sinuses makes the treatment more effective.
Supplements and Herbs
There are several supplements and herbs that can help with sinus headaches. They can help reduce the inflammation in the sinuses and also help prevent colds, which sometimes cause the infection. Examples are bromelain, quercetin, probiotics, eucalyptus and sinupret. Herbs and supplements can cause side effects and may interact with medications, so check with your doctor if you want to use them.
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