When to worry about a headache with sinusitis

Sinusitis can inflame the lining of the nose and sinus passages. Swelling and trapped mucus may create pressure around the forehead, cheeks, eyes, or upper teeth. Congestion can also make the head feel heavy, especially when bending forward. A blocked nose, facial tenderness, thick nasal discharge, cough, or reduced sense of smell may occur with the headache.

Head pain has many possible causes, so its location alone cannot confirm sinusitis. A clinician may consider migraine, tension headache, an eye problem, or another condition when the pattern does not fit sinus symptoms.

Rest, drink fluids, and avoid smoke or other irritants. Saline nasal rinsing may ease congestion when done with properly prepared water and clean equipment. Use pain medicine only as directed on its label and check with a pharmacist if you have another illness, take regular medicines, or are pregnant. Do not insert objects into the nose or rely on repeated decongestant use without advice.

Seek urgent medical help for a sudden worst-ever headache, confusion, fainting, weakness, trouble speaking, a stiff neck with fever, repeated vomiting, a seizure, or new vision changes. Swelling or redness around an eye, pain with eye movement, or marked drowsiness also needs urgent assessment.

Arrange a medical review when the headache is worsening, keeps returning, remains after other sinus symptoms improve, or is not helped by reasonable self-care. A clinician can examine your nose, ears, eyes, and nervous system and decide whether further treatment is needed.

Ask whether the pain pattern fits sinusitis, whether another headache disorder should be considered, which treatments suit your medical history, and what change should prompt an earlier review. Mention when the pain began, where it is felt, associated fever or discharge, and every medicine you have tried.