Sinus migraine: symptoms and next steps

Migraine may cause head pain, pressure around the eyes or face, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or sensitivity to light. The word sinus can be misleading when there is no fever, thick nasal discharge, or persistent blocked nose. A clinician considers the whole pattern, including whether attacks recur, worsen with activity, and improve in a dark quiet room. Facial pressure can occur as part of migraine even when the sinuses are not inflamed.

At the first sign, pause activity, drink water, eat if you have missed a meal, and rest away from bright light and strong smells. Keep a diary of sleep, foods, stress, hormonal changes, weather, and symptoms. Take a recommended migraine medicine according to its directions; a pharmacist can check that it suits you. Avoid using acute pain medicines more often than advised, as repeated use can make headaches harder to control.

Seek emergency care for a sudden explosive headache, new weakness, confusion, fainting, trouble speaking, seizure, stiff neck with fever, or new loss of vision. Arrange a review when attacks are new, changing, unusually prolonged, or repeatedly disrupt daily life. Seek prompt advice for severe eye pain, facial swelling, or a high fever with facial symptoms.

Ask whether your symptoms fit migraine, which treatment to use early, and whether nausea or dizziness needs separate management. Ask how often you can use rescue medicine and what preventive options might suit your attack pattern.