Sinus Headache Treatment Options to Help You Find Relief

Are you handling a throbbing head that won’t go away? Does your face feel tender, sore, and congested? If so, you may be in the midst of a painful sinus headache.

Unfortunately, sinusitis is a relatively common problem. It can lead to nasal congestion, excessive mucus production, and headaches. But sinus headache treatment options are diverse, and a natural option might work for you.

What Is a Sinus Headache?

A sinus headache is a painful condition affecting the face, forehead, eyes, and ears. The majority of sinus headaches are the result of inflamed or infected sinus membranes.

When your sinuses are infected, they can produce an excessive amount of mucus. As a result, your face may feel tender, swollen, and slightly painful. You may also suffer from significant nasal congestion.

Some of the key hallmarks of sinus headaches include:

• Throbbing in Forehead
• Pain Behind the Ears
• Pressure Behind Eyes
• Facial Tenderness

But to understand sinus headaches, we’ll need to take a moment and review what the sinuses are and why they’re vital to our overall health.

What Are Sinuses?

A sinus is almost always a cavity within the body. But for this article, we’ll primarily be referring to the paranasal sinuses.

These sinuses are cavities that sit alongside your nose and above your eyebrows. These pockets have sensitive membranes that produce mucus. Though they might not sound very pleasant, sinuses are crucial.

Without them, the inside of your nose would be constantly dry. In addition to being uncomfortable, you’d also have trouble fighting off infection. That’s because the hairs and mucus in your nose are protective.

When small bits of viral material, bacteria, dirt, or dust fly up your nose, the sinus-made mucus catches them. This action prevents harmful contaminants from fully invading your body.

That said, many people have problems with their sinuses. Pollutants, infections, and physical injuries can all lead to significant sinus problems, including headaches.

What Causes Sinus Headaches?

Typically, sinus headaches are caused by sinus infections. However, allergies and general inflammation can also lead to headaches. Individuals suffering from sinus headaches may be diagnosed with sinusitis.

Sinusitis (also commonly called a sinus infection) affects millions of people each year. Unfortunately, the causes of these sinus infections vary greatly. However, there are a few common culprits, including:

• Airborne Pollutants
• Tooth or Gum Infections
• Nasal Polyps
• Viral or Bacterial Infections
• Physical Trauma to the Sinuses
• Allergies

Additionally, there are two primary types of sinus infections: Acute and chronic. Individuals that experience sinusitis symptoms for longer than twelve weeks are thought to have a chronic infection.

Treating sinusitis can be challenging, especially when dealing with long-term infections. However, several helpful treatment options could turn things around and have you breathing more easily again.

Ayurvedic Sinus Headache Treatments

Conventional Western medicine is a great resource for bacterial and viral infections, broken bones, and other types of physical ailments. But most practitioners focus on healing the body, not the mind or the soul.

One of the most alluring aspects of modern ayurvedic medicine is its comprehensive take on health care.  Ayurvedic practitioners aim to treat a person’s body, spirit, mind, and senses.

Nasya

As the name of this treatment might suggest, one of the core focal points of ayurvedic sinus therapy is the nose. Nasya is a treatment involving nasal passages.

Generally, the ayurvedic healer will blow or apply specific herbs, powders, oils, or liquids up the nasal passages. The precise type of Nasya treatment depends on the patient’s age and condition.

Still, most practitioners will use a cleansing, sedative, or nutritive form of Nasya to help clear the sinuses.

Dhumapana

When you’re suffering from sinus congestion and headaches, you’re likely struggling to breathe. Dhumapana is a smoke-based treatment that aims to help with breathing difficulties.

Typically, the practitioner creates a powder made of ginger, black pepper, and other herbs. They then roll this powder into small cigar-shaped tubes using dark black pepper leaves.

These rolled leaves are lit and allowed to smoke. The patient is then instructed to breathe in the smoke produced by the powder and leaves. The pungent effects of black pepper and ginger are thought to clear the lungs.

Ayurvedic Herbs Used to Treat Sinus Headaches

We mentioned a few of the herbs used in the ayurvedic treatment of sinus headaches. But it’s crucial to review the most common herbal ingredients.

This way, you’ll know precisely what to expect during your first treatment session. Generally, there are four primary herbs used to help treat sinus infections and headaches. They are:

• Turmeric
• Tulsi
• Ginger
• Black Pepper

Turmeric

Turmeric is a flowering plant, but you might be familiar with it thanks to delicious Indian cuisine. That’s because turmeric is a popular ingredient in most Indian dishes. It’s also one of the oldest ayurvedic ingredients.

The turmeric spice that you can find at your local grocery store comes from the thick roots of the turmeric plant. These roots resemble ginger and produce a bright orange or yellow powder.

Some of the most notable benefits of turmeric include reduced inflammation, improved immunity, and increased brain function. Turmeric is also thought to detoxify the body and keep skin healthy and blemish-free.

This spice is often included in ayurvedic treatments for sinus headaches due to its antioxidant-friendly nature.

Tulsi

Also known as holy basil, tulsi is a flavorful herb commonly found in medicinal and household gardens. The leaves of the tulsi plant are picked at peak freshness, then dried. This process helps when making tulsi powders.

This ingredient is used in ayurvedic medicines to aid in respiratory treatments, including sinus therapies. It may also help reduce stress and increase energy levels.

Ginger

Ginger has been used for ages to help quell digestive issues. However, it’s also a helpful ingredient for ayurvedic practitioners. As with turmeric, ginger often consists of ground and powdered roots.

It’s also a recognized anti-inflammatory and is rich in antioxidants. In addition to reducing nausea, ginger is often employed to increase heart health and help with natural weight loss.

Black Pepper

Black pepper can make you sneeze, but when you’re struggling with a sinus infection, that’s a good thing! Black pepper is a common ingredient added to ayurvedic medicines used to treat respiratory illnesses.

And like turmeric, black pepper is high in antioxidants, is a known anti-inflammatory, and may help with cognitive function. Additionally, black pepper may help fight cancer cells, which is a significant benefit.

Find Natural Sinus Headache Treatment Today

When you have a sinus headache, it can be nearly impossible to get things done. Your forehead may feel like it’s pressed against your skull, and your face may throb with each heartbeat. But there are treatment options.

Ayurvedic medicine could be the key that unlocks sinusitis relief. If traditional medicinal options aren’t effective, or you’re unable to use them, opting for an all-natural sinus headache treatment could be the best option.

Do you need immediate treatment for sinus headaches? Please contact us today to book an appointment!

• November 8, 2021
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• Dr. Stomy Jose