**3. Sinus headache**

Headache is a symptom produced by the nervous system in response to disturbance or any threat. Hence it is the physiologically protective symptom of nervous system. About 90% are the life time incidents of the headache [44]. Headache may be primary or secondary as well, depending upon the underlying cause of the pain. When no definite pathological cause is identified then the headache is considered as **primary headache syndrome**. The most common primary headache disorders are migraine, tension type headache, cluster headache and probable migraine. When the cause of headache can be definable under pathological conditions, this type of headache is known as **secondary headache.** Causes of secondary headache include neoplastic, immunologic, metabolic, infectious, traumatic, inflammatory, endocrinologic and sinusitis [45]. Patients visited to the otolaryngologist because of their chronic headache, it is difficult to diagnose depending on the patients' presentation whether the headache is because of sinusitis or may be the other reason. Endoscopic techniques have been well developed for the diagnosis of underlying diseases and their associated symptoms. Sinus headaches are headache in which individual may feel pain and pressure around his eyes, cheeks and forehead. Due to differential diagnosis sometimes migraine and tension headaches may mistakenly consider as sinus headache [46, 47].

## **3.1 Prevalence, causes and risk factors**

Sinus headaches are mostly associated with other chronic secondary headaches. It may cause pain and pressure around facial area and in sinuses and progress the sino nasal disorders. Sinus headaches are not related with the sinus infections therefore they should not be treated with antibiotics. Sinus headaches may affect any individual but they are more prone to those patients who have family history or even previous history of migraine or primary headache disorders. It also affects those patients who have sinusitis and they also suffered with headaches related with hormonal changes [48].

#### **3.2 Symptoms**

Symptoms of sinus headache exclusive of causes may include pressure, pain and tension around eyes cheeks and forehead, stuffy filled nose, fatigue, fever, pain may worsen upon bending forward or even lie down and pain sensations in upper jaw and teeth [49].

#### **3.3 Diagnosis**

Headache is pathological disorder of nervous system and it is difficult to diagnose the exact cause of headache. After physical examination medical practitioner may perform imaging diagnostic test to find out the real cause of headache. Imaging tests include:

#### *3.3.1 CT-scan*

Cross sectional images of brain, spinal cord and sinuses are obtained by X-ray which rotates around the body and displayed on the computer.

#### *3.3.2 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)*

Cross sectional images of the brain and sinuses are made with magnetic field and radio waves.

**35**

*Sinusitis, Asthma and Headache*

**3.4 Precaution and prevention**

*3.4.1 Exercise*

therapy [52].

**3.5 Treatment**

*3.5.1 OTC analgesics*

*3.5.2 Triptans*

*3.5.3 Ergots*

acetaminophen, naproxen and ibuprofen.

blood vessels and block the pain pathways in the brain.

*3.4.2 Avoid trigger factors*

*3.4.3 Reduction of estrogen effects*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.90210*

to exercise daily in order to reduce headache [51].

sleep of at least 8 h, try to reduce stress and take healthy diet.

basis or to take medicine in order to prevent onset of headache.

Women who are taking medications such as birth control pills and hormonal replacement therapy have episodes of headache and estrogen seems to make it worse. Ask your doctor to reduce the dose or to prescribe alternate

Most of the time migraine and chronic headaches are assumed as sinusitis headache. These type of headaches are treated with prescribed medicine on regular

Chronic headaches can be treated with over the counter pain relievers such as

Triptans are most effective in treating migraine headaches. Triptans include sumatriptan, almotriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan and eletriptan. They are available in form of nasal sprays, tablets and injections. Triptans effect by constricting

Ergots containing active constituent ergotamine. It is available in combination with caffeine. Ergotamine is most effective for the pain which lasts more than 72 h but it is less effective than triptans. Migraine related nausea and vomiting may

These tests are used to diagnose the headache. If sinuses are stuffy filled and

Precautions help in reducing the severity and attacks of headache. Healthy life

Regular aerobic exercise helps in reduction of tension and prevention of headache. Aerobic exercises include swimming, cycling and walking. Before starting intense exercise one should warm up his body because sudden exercise also initiate headache. One of the causes of headache is obesity, in that case obese patients need

If any odor, taste, food and even caffeine, tobacco triggered headache in the past so, one should avoid trigger factors and establish healthy daily routine with regular

inflamed than the sinusitis is the definite cause of headache [50].

style changes may prevent from headache other than using medications.

These tests are used to diagnose the headache. If sinuses are stuffy filled and inflamed than the sinusitis is the definite cause of headache [50].
