The Connection Between Sinusitis and Headaches

A dull ache behind your eyes or a heaviness in your forehead that seems to throb with every heartbeat may seem easy to brush off, but these could be signs of a complicated issue. Sinusitis, or inflammation of the sinus cavities, can cause pressure that radiates through the face and head. However, not every sinus headache actually stems from the sinuses. The American Migraine Foundation finds that nearly 90% of self-diagnosed sinus headaches are actually migraines in disguise. 

Understanding how sinus inflammation and headaches overlap can make all the difference in finding lasting relief and avoiding ineffective treatments. Read on to learn how to tell the difference between a sinus headache and a migraine, and where to find the best sinus doctor in Santa Monica for effective treatments. 

What is Sinusitis? 

Sinusitis, also called rhinosinusitis, happens when the lining of your sinuses becomes swollen or infected. When this happens, it traps mucus and creates pressure inside your face. The pain can feel like a deep, throbbing ache behind your cheeks, eyes, or forehead, and bending forward often makes it worse. 

When drainage pathways inside the nose get blocked, air and mucus build up, causing the sinus cavities to swell and nerves in the surrounding area to send pain signals that feel like a headache. For some people, it’s triggered by seasonal allergies or lingering congestion after a cold. But for others, these symptoms are linked to asthma, nasal polyps, or even sudden changes in air pressure. 

How to Recognize a Sinus Headache vs. Other Types of Headaches

A true sinus headache usually feels like a deep, constant pressure on one side of the head, around your eyes, cheeks, or forehead. Sometimes sinus headaches are paired with nasal congestion or thick yellow-green discharge. Another common symptom of sinusitis is throbbing pain and pain that gets worse when you lean forward or when the weather changes, and smells may seem faint or hard to detect. 

Migraines and tension headaches, on the other hand, often disguise themselves as sinus pain. They can cause throbbing, one-sided discomfort along with nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and fatigue. Recognizing the difference can prevent long stretches of frustration and mistreatment, especially when sinus remedies never seem to bring relief.

How a Sinus Infection Can Mimic a Migraine 

When the sinuses become inflamed, the swelling can press on tiny nerves that line the face, including the trigeminal nerve, which carries pain signals to the brain. This irritation can set off the same pathways involved in migraine headaches, making the pain feel more intense or widespread.

How to Manage a Sinus Headache at Home 

Managing sinus-related headaches with home remedies involves keeping the sinuses clear and staying hydrated: 

• Use sterile saline rinses to flush out mucus and allergens from the sinus passages
• Keep a humidifier running nearby to add moisture to the air and prevent nasal passages from drying out
• Avoid cigarette smoke, strong fragrances, and known allergens 
• See the best ENT in Santa Monica to see if you have any structural issues, like a deviated septum or nasal polyps, that are contributing to your symptoms 
• Track your symptoms to help identify patterns

Finding the Best Sinus Doctor in Santa Monica for Effective Sinus Headache Treatment Options

As a board-certified ear, nose, and throat doctor and facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Payam Daneshrad blends medical precision with an aesthetic eye, creating solutions that improve both function and confidence. At our locations in Santa Monica and Torrance, we’re equipped with in-house diagnostic tools and a fully integrated surgery center, allowing us to treat everything from stubborn sinus infections to structural issues with ease.