Air pressure headache: causes, relief and warning signs

The timing offers a clue: discomfort may begin around a flight, mountain journey, storm or rapid weather shift. Pressure is not the only possible explanation, so consider congestion, dehydration, missed meals, poor sleep and your usual headache pattern as well.

Air-filled sinus spaces normally equalise with the surrounding atmosphere. Nasal swelling can slow that process, creating pain or pressure around the forehead, cheeks or eyes. Allergic rhinitis, a cold and chronic sinusitis can all cause nasal blockage, but headache alone cannot identify which is present.

Some people have migraine attacks associated with weather changes even without blocked sinuses. Throbbing pain, nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, or worsening with activity fits that pattern more than isolated facial pressure does.

Drink fluids, eat regularly, rest in a quiet space and reduce glare if light is uncomfortable. During a flight, swallowing, yawning or chewing can help pressure equalise. Saline nasal spray may ease dryness or congestion. Avoid forceful pressure-equalising manoeuvres if they cause pain.

Use only a pain reliever that is suitable for you, following its label and checking with a pharmacist if you have stomach, kidney or liver disease, take blood thinners, are pregnant, or use other medicines. Record the trigger, pain location, associated symptoms and response to treatment if episodes recur.

Seek emergency care for a sudden extremely severe headache, or headache with weakness, facial droop, trouble speaking, confusion, fainting, seizure, stiff neck, high fever, major head injury, new vision loss or persistent vomiting.

Arrange a routine appointment when headaches keep returning, change from your familiar pattern, regularly disrupt daily activity, or occur with ongoing nasal blockage, facial swelling or discoloured discharge. A clinician can distinguish sinus, migraine, medication-related and other causes.

Ask whether the pattern resembles migraine or sinus pressure, whether any current medicine could be contributing, and which treatment is appropriate before future flights or altitude changes. Mention pregnancy, recent infection, eye symptoms and any neurological symptoms.