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New Thinking About Sinus Headaches

Posted By: RealAge on 02/04/2012

Sinus pain. Nasal congestion. Watery eyes. You've got a sinus headache, right?

Not so fast. Turns out that more than 80 percent of "sinus headaches" are really migraines. And over-the-counter pain meds, antihistamines, and decongestants are unlikely to completely relieve them. Here are the questions that help determine which kind of headache you have.

A Real Head Case

Many people (and even doctors!) attribute symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, and watery eyes to sinus headaches. But the real deal is that (1) true sinus headaches are rare, and (2) these same symptoms occur in about 50 percent of migraines.

4 Questions to Ask

Do you have any of these additional symptoms?

• Is the pain on one side of your head?
• Does activity make your symptoms worse?
• Do your symptoms make you sensitive to light and noise?
• Would you describe the pain as pulsating or throbbing?

Only your healthcare provider can diagnose your headaches, but if you answered yes to any of these questions, your "sinus headaches" may really be migraines!