That "sinus headache" could be a migraine

By TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF
Published: May 15, 2011

We've all experienced it — head pain, pressure over the sinuses and congestion. Immediately we think "sinus headache." After all, that's what the TV commercials tell us it is.

But sinus headaches aren't as common as the pain-reliever industry would lead us to believe. In a study of 3,000 people who claimed to have had at least six sinus headaches in six months, almost 90 percent weren't suffering from sinus headaches at all. The cause of their pain was a migraine headache.

Migraines are often confused with sinus headaches because they both can exhibit sinus-related symptoms. You can have forehead pain and facial pressure with both types of headaches, plus nasal congestion, runny nose and watery eyes. In fact, in one study, 45 percent of migraine sufferers had a stuffy nose, watery eyes or both.

While both headaches can wreak havoc on your sinuses, you may be able to tell one from the other when you blow your nose. Because a true sinus headache is part of a sinus infection, your nasal mucous will generally be thick and greenish. Not to mention, you'll probably also have a fever accompanying the infection.

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