Types of Headache and Treatment

Headache pain can be uncomfortable and affect your day, can last between 30 minutes and a few hours¹. In most cases, headaches go away on their own and aren’t a sign of anything more serious – but you may want to get some relief from the symptoms².

There can be different causes of a headache. Identifying the location and type of headache you’re suffering from can help you work out what might be the best way to help relieve your symptoms³.

If your headache is caused by sinus or head congestion, there are various treatments you can try to help soothe your symptoms⁴.

Learn more about the different things you can do to help get rid of a headache, along with the potential causes and symptoms.

•  Causes of a sinus headache 

•  Symptoms of a sinus headache 

•  Treatment for a sinus headache 

•  Causes of head congestion 

•  Symptoms of headaches caused by head congestion 

•  Treatment for headaches caused by head congestion 

Causes of a Sinus Headache

Our bodies have four pairs of sinuses in the skull and face bones that form part of the nose and respiratory system⁵. Air flows through these empty cavities when you breathe. They also produce mucus to moisten them, which helps remove unwanted bacteria⁶.

When the linings of these sinuses become inflamed and swell – often because of an irritant or infection – it can cause congestion. This is because more mucus is being produced but it can’t drain properly⁷

This can be one of the main causes of a sinus headache as it creates a build-up of pressure in your sinuses – often behind the cheeks, eyes and forehead⁸. You might experience a headache on either side of your head or anywhere in a sinus area⁹.

Congestion can be one of the main sinus headache causes. In turn, this congestion may be caused by¹⁰:

• Sinusitis

• Allergies

• Sinus blockages

Symptoms of a Sinus Headache

The most common symptoms of a sinus headache include¹¹¹²:

• Deep and ongoing pain in your cheekbones, forehead, or the bridge of your nose

• Headache pain and pressure that gets worse when you lean forward, lie down, strain or move your head suddenly

• Nasal discharge that’s green or yellow.

You might also experience some other sinus issues, which could indicate that it’s a sinus headache. These can include¹³¹⁴:

• Feeling fatigued

• Aching in your top jaw

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Fever

• Redness and swelling of your cheeks, nose or forehead.

There can be some overlap between the symptoms of a sinus headache and those of a migraine or tension headache¹⁵. As the best treatment for a headache differs depending on the type, it’s important to work out whether sinuses are the cause or if it’s something else.

When sinusitis or another type of infection is the cause of your headache, you’re more likely to experience a fever as one of the symptoms¹⁶. With a tension headache, this is less likely.

Treatment for a Sinus Headache

The cause of your sinus headache can help you work out what might be the most appropriate treatment. The aim is usually to treat the underlying infection that’s responsible for your inflamed sinuses¹⁸.

If your headache is caused by sinusitis, a few ways to try and treat it could include¹⁹:

• Drinking lots of fluids

• Having plenty of rest

• Taking over-the-counter medication.

Where an allergic reaction is the cause, treatment for a sinus headache may include taking preventative allergy medication prescribed by a doctor and avoiding any triggers²⁰.

To soothe your symptoms, some decongestants can work to provide pain relief and ease congestion at the same, helping to treat a sinus headache: 

Causes of Head Congestion

Head congestion can also cause a headache. The feeling of fullness and pressure can lead to pain and discomfort²². Congestion is a common symptom of having a head cold or flu , which are two of the main causes of a headache²³.

When you catch a head cold  your body is infected by a virus that attacks the lining of your nose or throat²⁴. While your body creates more white blood cells to fight it off, the virus can cause nasal swelling and extra mucus production, resulting in inflamed sinuses, mucus build-up and congestion²⁵.

This head congestion can create pressure behind your eyes and face, causing a headache and pain in your forehead²⁶.

It’s similar when you catch flu, although in this case a different type of virus – the influenza virus – is responsible for nasal swelling, congestion and causing a headache²⁷.

Other possible causes of head congestion can include²⁸:

•  Sinus infection  – Sinusitis and sinus infections usually cause a sinus headache, but some may result in head congestion. 

•  Air pollution  – Irritants in polluted air can affect sensitive nasal passages, causing their linings to become inflamed and resulting in congestion and headaches.

Symptoms of Headaches Caused by Head Congestion