Pinellas Times

• Chronic sinusitis affects 28.9 million American adults, or 11% of the adult population. 
• Symptoms of chronic sinusitis can include nasal inflammation, a runny nose, postnasal drainage, congestion, pain or swelling in the face, headaches, loss of smell and taste, a sore throat, bad breath, or fatigue. 
• Sinus headaches can cause facial pain, watery eyes, and post-nasal drip, similar to other kinds of headaches. 

Sinus headaches are a common symptom of sinusitis and can become quite debilitating. According to Dr. Mariah Pate of Tampa Bay Breathe Free, sinus headaches should be taken seriously. 

“Sinus headaches can be debilitating,” Dr. Pate told the Pinellas Times. “There are many different types of headaches—over 100 different types. So, it can be confusing for patients sometimes. Sinus headaches are generally headaches located in the area above the eyes and right below the eyes, where the sinus openings are located.”

Sinuses are air-filled spaces inside your forehead, cheekbones, and behind the bridge of your nose. When they get inflamed, usually because of an allergic reaction or an infection, they swell and produce more mucus, and the channels that drain them can become blocked, according to WebMD. The build-up of pressure in your sinuses causes pain that feels like a headache. It is important to figure out what kind of headache you are having so that the correct course of action can be taken to relieve your pain.

Dr. Mariah Pate | Tampa Bay Breathe Free

According to Healthline, headaches are common. Research estimates that 70 to 80 percent of people experience headaches, and about 50 percent experience them at least once a month. Allergies can be the source of some of those headaches, and allergies related to sinus disease can cause headaches as well.

If your headache gets worse when you bend over or lay down, that would be a sign of a sinus headache. Other symptoms include a deep and constant pain in your cheekbones, forehead, or the bridge of your nose, a stuffy nose, fatigue, and an achy feeling in the upper teeth. If headaches occur more than 15 days per month and OTC medicines are used frequently but help little, the Mayo Clinic recommends consulting a physician. 

For patients with sinus headaches, the goal is typically to relieve symptoms and treat any infections, according to WebMD. Antibiotics, antihistamines, or decongestants can be taken for a short time. Inhaled nasal decongestants can be taken, but only for up to three days. Longer use can worsen symptoms.

According to Tampa Bay Breathe Free's website, Dr. Mariah Pate, a certified otolaryngologist, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida. She earned her medical degree from Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University, finishing in the top 5% of her class. Dr. Pate completed her otolaryngology internship and residency at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.