Sinusitis is the first thing that comes to mind when talking about headache. However, studies reveal that this is not the case. Sinusitis accounts for not more than 5-10% of all headaches.
Moreover, chronic sinusitis causes almost no headache. Sinusitis-related headache is seen in only new-onset chronic sinusitis.
In sinusitis, complaints such as nasal congestion, yellow-green nasal discharge, fullness in the eyes and temples, cough, and post-nasal drainage are more discomfortable than headache. Localization of the existing headache is also quite important.
Pain in the temple sinuses is felt in the temples, while pain in the cheek sinuses is felt under the eyes, at the nasal root and on the face. Pain in the sphenoid sinus is felt in the nape of the neck.
Most Common Headches
1-Headaches directly related to sinus disease
2-Headaches of known causes other than sinus disease
3-Headaches of unknown origin.
Headache is vascular origin in most patients who come to the ENT with headache and facial pain. Sinus ostiums are sensitive to pain. The mucosa on the other hand, which lines the nasal cavity, is insensitive to pain. Sinus pains begin to be felt when the sinus ostiums are blocked.
The conchae are tissues highly sensitive to pain. Nasal pain and pains due to sinus diseases is usually reflected on the back of the head and on the nape of the neck.
Pressure in the sinus initially creates just a feeling of fullness. Especially vascular changes in the lower concha, which are caused by stress, fatigue, anxiety and mental disorders cause pain in the conchae.
The cause of the pain in cases of nasal septum deviation is the pressure of the curvature on the conchae, which is called contact headache. When this pressure is in a frontal region, the pain is mostly felt in the facial area.
The pain is felt in the forehead, when the pressure is in the upper location, and it is felt behind the eyes when the pressure is in the back. The degree of the headache is directly proportional to the degree of pressure and congestion.
The conchae on the side the person lies on swell with blood due to gravity, and if there is also a nasal septum deviation on the same side, a headache develops on this side.
When the patient lies on the other side, he/she says there is no pain. In such people, the headache is eliminated by correcting the crooked middle partition of the nose and shrinking the conchae with the required drugs.
The most common headaches other than those caused by sinus disease;
– TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE: Headaches are mostly felt in the temples. The pain is ceaseless, and develops especially with the spasm of the muscles in that area.
– MIGRAINE: It is felt as headache attacks. The pain can be accompanied by nausea-vomiting, and eye flashes. There is sensitivity to light and noise. It is mostly unilateral.
– CLUSTER HEADACHE: It is mostly felt around or behind one eye. The pain is accompanied by lachrymation or runny nose.
MOST OF HEADACHES THOUGHT TO BE CAUSED BY SINUSITIS ARE ACTUALLY VASCULAR PAINS…