How to relieve headache from sinusitis?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Sinusitis is currently the general term for what was traditionally called accessory sinusitis. Accessory sinusitis can cause headaches, which is a clinical manifestation of sinusitis. The clinical treatment of headaches primarily targets the sinusitis itself. The causes of the headaches are twofold: one is the headache caused by the irritation of purulent secretions, and the other is the negative pressure headache caused by blockage of the sinus opening and the resultant intrasinus pressure. The treatment includes using medications that constrict the blood vessels in the mucous membranes and then clearing the sinus openings. Additionally, it is crucial to actively pursue anti-inflammatory and anti-infection treatments, primarily using macrolide antibiotics or cephalosporin antibiotics. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Is sinusitis the same as rhinitis?

There are differences between rhinitis and sinusitis. Rhinitis is mainly the inflammation of the nasal mucosa, while sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinus cavity mucosa. The main clinical symptoms of rhinitis are nasal congestion and a runny nose. This runny nose is mostly mucous or watery, which is typically seen in allergic rhinitis. The runny nose in sinusitis, on the other hand, is often a thick yellow discharge caused by a bacterial infection, so there is a distinction between the two. Patients with sinusitis often have rhinitis, but those with rhinitis do not necessarily have sinusitis. Rhinitis is primarily treated with medications and rarely with surgery. For sinusitis, treatment also begins with medications; however, if the response to medical therapy is poor or the condition is severe, surgery is often considered. The likelihood of undergoing surgical intervention is generally higher for sinusitis than for rhinitis.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How to treat sinusitis?

The treatment of sinusitis is mainly divided into three categories. The first category is observation and follow-up; the second category is medication treatment; the third is surgical treatment. If the sinusitis is very mild and does not have obvious clinical symptoms, and the nasal cavity is relatively clean, most of these cases can be considered for observation without particular treatment. If the inflammation is more pronounced, accompanied by nasal congestion, a runny nose, headache, and dizziness, most of these cases should consider medication treatment, which usually involves oral medications and nasal sprays. Additionally, rinsing the nasal cavity with saline can be considered. If the inflammatory response is particularly severe and symptoms are pronounced, and if standard medication treatment is ineffective, surgery may need to be considered. Currently, the main surgical option is endoscopic sinus surgery. Generally, this approach is quite effective, causes less damage, and allows for a relatively quick recovery.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Does sinusitis require surgery?

Sinusitis does not necessarily require surgery; in some cases, medication treatment can be considered. This approach mainly depends on the severity of the sinusitis and the patient's overall symptoms. Especially for acute sinusitis or cases of mild chronic sinusitis, medication is generally the first choice. Furthermore, most patients can effectively alleviate symptoms and improve their condition through standardized medical treatment. The main treatments are oral medications and nasal sprays, and it is also advisable to consider cleansing the nasal cavity with saline solution followed by regular check-ups. In cases of fungal sinusitis or severe inflammatory reactions in chronic sinusitis, surgery might be considered. Generally, surgery is a common minimally invasive procedure with good outcomes.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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How should sinusitis be treated?

Sinusitis is caused by acute inflammatory infections, mainly hemolytic streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. Pathogens enter the sinuses through the sinus openings due to the patient catching a cold or having a flu, leading to congestion, swelling, hyperplasia, and exudation in the sinus mucosa. Symptoms include persistent nasal congestion, discharge of yellow secretions from the nasal cavity accompanied by a foul smell, and severe cases may also experience facial swelling, pain, and headaches. In terms of treatment, during the acute phase, patients need to first undergo symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment, taking oral antibiotics such as cephalosporins, which are very effective. Additionally, physiological saline is used for nasal and sinus irrigation. If conservative treatment is ineffective, patients may require endoscopic sinus surgery and sinus mucosa clearance for recovery. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can sinusitis heal on its own?

Sinusitis may recover on its own. This primarily depends on the extent of the specific inflammatory responses, as well as clinical symptoms and the patient's own immunity. If the sinusitis is very mild, the clinical symptoms are not severe, and the patient's immunity is relatively strong, recovery is indeed possible. Additionally, with acute sinusitis, some patients naturally tend to recover on their own. However, in cases of chronic sinusitis or severe inflammatory responses in acute sinusitis, where symptoms like nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, headaches, and dizziness are more pronounced, it is generally advisable to consider timely medical treatment. It may also be beneficial to incorporate saline nasal washes and schedule regular follow-up examinations to observe effects.