HEALTH
Migraine vs Sinus Headache: What Are the Differences?
Each week, you may experience a headache. Most people do the same thing.
When the pain becomes intolerable, it’s hard to tell what kind of headache you’re having. This leads to missed opportunities for treatment and makes your problem worse.
We’ll go over some common types of headaches so you can better understand what you’re experiencing. It’s easier to find the right treatment if you know what you’re dealing with.
Keep reading to learn about the difference between a migraine vs sinus headache.
What Is a Sinus Headache?
A sinus headache is the result of a sinus infection. It causes pressure on the forehead.
Sinus headaches can be caused by allergies to irritants such as pollen or dust.
What Is a Migraine?
Migraines are a kind of headache that causes painful throbbing. They happen on one side of the head.
Migraines cause sensitivity to light, noise, and smells. Chronic migraines are so debilitating that they interfere with your daily life.
Drinking too much alcohol, stress, and experiencing hormonal shifts can all cause migraines.
Migraine vs Sinus Headache
Migraines are neurological, while sinusitis is caused by inflammation within your nasal cavity. Migraine sufferers experience visual changes like seeing flashing lights (called aura), nausea, or vomiting before their headaches start. Individuals with sinus infections may have a scratchy throat accompanied by sneezing and coughing.
Pain
Migraine headaches are often intense. A migraine might include pulsing between episodes of pain. Movement makes the pain worse.
The pain associated with sinusitis is mild to severe but rarely intense. It affects both sides of your head; unlike migraines, which are unilateral.
Duration
A migraine headache can last from 4 hours to several days. A sinus headache lasts anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks.
Treatment
You may be able to ease a migraine by drinking water and resting. It also helps to avoid triggers like loud noises and bright lights. Usually, the headache will go away on its own.
Depending on how long you’ve had your sinus infection and how severe it is, you may be able to treat the symptoms with over-the-counter medication. However, if you’re not getting any relief after taking those medications for several days, then it’s time to see a doctor.
Migraines are typically treated with triptans or other pain medications.
Migraine Guide
One of the easiest ways to avoid migraines is by eating on a consistent basis. A migraine can be caused by dehydration and low blood sugar, so stay hydrated and eat regularly.
If you’re prone to migraines, try keeping a food diary. Write down everything you eat and drink each day. After a few weeks, look for patterns in your diet that may trigger headaches.
Get Migraine Tips for Pain Relief
When it comes to migraine vs sinus headache, they’re both painful. However, these two conditions have different causes and treatments. Knowing the difference between them can help you get the right treatment for your symptoms and feel better fast. To learn more about pain relief methods, review some of our health articles. They can help you understand your symptoms and find ways to manage them.
Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at [email protected].
