Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMigrainesSinus HeadachesMisdiagnosisMigraine TreatmentSinus Headache Treatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Migraines
Sinus Headaches
Misdiagnosis
Migraine Treatment
Sinus Headache Treatment
Sinus headachesand migraines are very similar conditions that are often confused with each other. Migraines can cause pain anywhere on the head and face, though they are often one-sided. Sinus headaches can also cause facial pain, but they are much less common than migraines.
The key to telling the difference between a sinus headache and a migraine is the presence of other symptoms. Sinus headaches occur alongside a viral or bacterial infection that may cause fever and congestion. Migraines frequently cause symptoms such as nausea and light sensitivity.
This article discusses sinus headaches and migraines and how you can tell the difference between them.
What Is a Migraine?
Migraines occur when there is abnormal activity in the brain that leads to changes in brain chemicals and nerves. These changes affect the flow of blood to the brain, leading to headaches and other symptoms.
Migraine Symptoms
Migraine headaches are best known for causing throbbing pain in the temples, face, forehead, or back of the head. Many people, however, also experience an array of other symptoms, including:
What Is a Sinus Headache?
True sinus headaches are uncommon and occur alongside a viral or bacterial infection that causes congestion. These headaches tend to resolve as the bacterial or viral illness resolves, though they may linger after other symptoms have disappeared.
Sinus Headache Symptoms
Sinus headaches cause a similar type of pain as a migraine, including pain in the face, especially around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead. The other symptoms that accompany a sinus headache are different from migraine symptoms:
Migraine vs. Sinus HeadacheMigraineNauseaVomitingThin, clear nasal dischargeAversion to strong odorsSensitivity to light and soundsEar or upper tooth painSinus HeadacheFeverCoughThick nasal dischargeDecreased sense of smellEar or upper tooth pain
Migraine vs. Sinus Headache
MigraineNauseaVomitingThin, clear nasal dischargeAversion to strong odorsSensitivity to light and soundsEar or upper tooth pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Thin, clear nasal discharge
Aversion to strong odors
Sensitivity to light and sounds
Ear or upper tooth pain
Sinus HeadacheFeverCoughThick nasal dischargeDecreased sense of smellEar or upper tooth pain
Fever
Cough
Thick nasal discharge
Decreased sense of smell
Why Migraines Can Be Misdiagnosed as Sinus Headaches
Migraines and sinus headaches can cause similar types of pain, and both are associated with nasal congestion and runny nose.This is one of the reasons why it’s so easy to confuse one for the other.
One major difference between some migraines and sinus headaches is the presence of an aura in migraine, but not all people who get migraines experience this symptom. This makes it easier to confusemigraine without aurawith a sinus headache.
Research has found patients can go for years without a correct diagnosis or proper treatment.This may be because a primary care physician orotolaryngology specialistmay not always question a self-diagnosis of sinus headache. If you suffer from frequent sinus headaches that don’t seem to get better with treatment, talk to your practitioner about the possibility of seeing a headache specialist.
What Causes a Sinus Headache Without Congestion
How Migraines Are Treated
Migraine is a chronic condition, but it can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication.
If you have migraines, it’s important to identify your triggers and avoid them wherever possible. This may mean keeping a journal, so you’ll be able to spot a relationship between your headaches and what you eat, how much sleep you get, and other factors.
Ask your healthcare provider about medication that can stop a developing migraine and/or reduce the frequency of your migraines. These may include:
How Sinus Headaches Are Treated
Sinus headaches usually go away when the infection goes away. If the infection is bacterial, your healthcare provider may prescribe an antibiotic.
Over the counter pain medications such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) can help with the pain. Decongestants can help decrease the pressure in your sinuses. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe a corticosteroid nasal spray to help ease swelling and inflammation.
Summary
Sinus headaches and migraines can often be distinguished from each other based on accompanying symptoms. Migraines tend to occur along with symptoms like nausea and vomiting, light sensitivity, and aura. Sinus headaches can occur alongside fever. Additionally, the nasal discharge you experience during a sinus headache is usually yellow and is thicker than the discharge you experience during a migraine.
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8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Migraine Foundation.Sinus headaches.National Library of Medicine.Migraine.Weatherall MW.The diagnosis and treatment of chronic migraine.Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2015;6(3):115-23. doi:10.1177/2040622315579627Earwood JS, Rogers TS, Rathjen NA.Ear pain: Diagnosing common and uncommon causes.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(1):20-27Okade D, Nagaraj T, Pai SA, Saxena S, Sahu P, Biswas A.A review on oral and dental pain.J Adv Clin Res Insights. 2019;6:43-7. doi:10.15713/ins.jcri.257Ceriani CE, Silberstein SD.Headache and rhinosinusitis: A review.Cephalalgia. 2021;41(4):453-463. doi:10.1177/0333102420959790Straburzyński M, Gryglas-Dworak A, Nowaczewska M, Brożek-Mądry E, Martelletti P.Etiology of ‘sinus headache’-Moving the focus from rhinology to neurology. A systematic review.Brain Sci. 2021;11(1):79. doi:10.3390/brainsci11010079American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Sinus infection.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Migraine Foundation.Sinus headaches.National Library of Medicine.Migraine.Weatherall MW.The diagnosis and treatment of chronic migraine.Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2015;6(3):115-23. doi:10.1177/2040622315579627Earwood JS, Rogers TS, Rathjen NA.Ear pain: Diagnosing common and uncommon causes.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(1):20-27Okade D, Nagaraj T, Pai SA, Saxena S, Sahu P, Biswas A.A review on oral and dental pain.J Adv Clin Res Insights. 2019;6:43-7. doi:10.15713/ins.jcri.257Ceriani CE, Silberstein SD.Headache and rhinosinusitis: A review.Cephalalgia. 2021;41(4):453-463. doi:10.1177/0333102420959790Straburzyński M, Gryglas-Dworak A, Nowaczewska M, Brożek-Mądry E, Martelletti P.Etiology of ‘sinus headache’-Moving the focus from rhinology to neurology. A systematic review.Brain Sci. 2021;11(1):79. doi:10.3390/brainsci11010079American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Sinus infection.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Migraine Foundation.Sinus headaches.National Library of Medicine.Migraine.Weatherall MW.The diagnosis and treatment of chronic migraine.Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2015;6(3):115-23. doi:10.1177/2040622315579627Earwood JS, Rogers TS, Rathjen NA.Ear pain: Diagnosing common and uncommon causes.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(1):20-27Okade D, Nagaraj T, Pai SA, Saxena S, Sahu P, Biswas A.A review on oral and dental pain.J Adv Clin Res Insights. 2019;6:43-7. doi:10.15713/ins.jcri.257Ceriani CE, Silberstein SD.Headache and rhinosinusitis: A review.Cephalalgia. 2021;41(4):453-463. doi:10.1177/0333102420959790Straburzyński M, Gryglas-Dworak A, Nowaczewska M, Brożek-Mądry E, Martelletti P.Etiology of ‘sinus headache’-Moving the focus from rhinology to neurology. A systematic review.Brain Sci. 2021;11(1):79. doi:10.3390/brainsci11010079American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Sinus infection.
American Migraine Foundation.Sinus headaches.
National Library of Medicine.Migraine.
Weatherall MW.The diagnosis and treatment of chronic migraine.Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2015;6(3):115-23. doi:10.1177/2040622315579627
Earwood JS, Rogers TS, Rathjen NA.Ear pain: Diagnosing common and uncommon causes.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(1):20-27
Okade D, Nagaraj T, Pai SA, Saxena S, Sahu P, Biswas A.A review on oral and dental pain.J Adv Clin Res Insights. 2019;6:43-7. doi:10.15713/ins.jcri.257
Ceriani CE, Silberstein SD.Headache and rhinosinusitis: A review.Cephalalgia. 2021;41(4):453-463. doi:10.1177/0333102420959790
Straburzyński M, Gryglas-Dworak A, Nowaczewska M, Brożek-Mądry E, Martelletti P.Etiology of ‘sinus headache’-Moving the focus from rhinology to neurology. A systematic review.Brain Sci. 2021;11(1):79. doi:10.3390/brainsci11010079
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Sinus infection.
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