Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 Angst asks

Q: Could this be a sinus headache?

I have a different headache than usual... it doesn't feel like, nor does it have the symptoms for a migraine (no nausea, no photo/phonofobia). I have had a cold for 5 days now. I feel the headache on the bridge of my nose. Not only does my nose feel "stuffed up", so does my brain.

 

When I felt it coming on, I took my Axert and retired to my bed with an icepack. It didn't help. What helped (slightly) was taking a hot shower.

 

Also, it's not the same type of feeling as my usual CDH, it is more painful, feels more like its coming from the inside-out than vice-versa. Could this be a sinus headache?

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Answers (1)
Nancy Harris Bonk, Health Guide
4/ 3/09 10:31pm

Hi Angst,

 

It is difficult to tell you what kind of Migraine you have, and we really can't do that anyway because we are not medical professionals.

 

Some of the more typical symptoms of a sinus infection are fever, swollen lymph nodes and a consistent green or yellow discharge from the nose. If you don't have these, you may have a Migraine. We have more information on this here:  

Sinuses Giving You a Headache? It's Probably Migraine. 

 

During a Migraine, the trigeminal nerve (TN) becomes inflamed. One branch of the TN runs near the sinus cavities, making it feel like a "sinus headache." You can see that in this illustration -- Pathways of Migraine.

 

Good luck

Nancy

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By Angst— Last Modified: 01/22/11, First Published: 03/31/09