Richmond Leader

• It's estimated that 70-80% of the population experiences headaches, with around 50% experiencing them at least once a month.
• Allergies and sinus problems are common triggers for some of these headaches.
• It is advisable to consult a doctor if headaches occur more than 15 days per month and over-the-counter medications fail to provide relief.

Headaches are one of the most common side effects of sinus and allergy problems. According to Dr. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free, it is important to figure out what is causing your headaches.

“A sinus headache is where you have pain in the distribution of your sinuses,” Dr. Ditto told the Richmond Leader. “Sinus pain can also occur because of migraine. You can have unilateral facial pain due to the different other forms of headache. And so, the challenge is to differentiate between what's a headache from a migraine, and what's a sinus pain, and sometimes the two overlap.”

Your sinuses are air-filled spaces inside your forehead, cheekbones, and behind the bridge of your nose. When they get inflamed—usually because of an allergic reaction or an infection—they swell, make more mucus, and the channels that drain them can get blocked. According to WebMD, the build-up of pressure in your sinuses causes pain that can feel like a headache.

There are many common allergies that can lead to headaches. These include allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, food allergies, and histamines. If you have a headache along with seasonal and indoor nasal allergies, it’s more likely due to a migraine headache rather than allergies. However, pain related to hay fever or other allergic reactions may cause headaches due to sinus disease.

At times, allergies related to sinus disease can cause headaches. Although it’s a good idea to discuss taking any medication with your doctor, you can address certain allergies—and allergy-related symptoms such as headaches—with preventive steps and OTC medications. If your allergies get to a point where they’re interfering with your day-to-day activities, schedule an appointment with your doctor for a full diagnosis and possibly a referral to an allergist.  

Sinus headaches are associated with pain and pressure in the face and sinuses and can cause nasal symptoms such as inflammation of the sinus, nasal congestion, pain, pressure and fullness in your cheeks, brow, or forehead, worsening pain if you bend forward or lie down, stuffy nose, fatigue, and an achy feeling in your upper teeth.

According to Richmond Breathe Free's website, Dr. John Ditto earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, where he was recognized for his research. He then received specialized training in ear, nose, and throat disorders at the University of Michigan's Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.