Sinus Headache Medication - How They Work, Potential Side Effects

A trip to your local pharmacy will reveal shelves of sinus headache medication, all meant to help you alleviate sinus pressure and pain.

These must work, or else there wouldn't be so many of them, right? But what do sinus headache medicines really do, and how do they work? Most of all, do they have any side effects that might be worse than the actual sinus headache?

About Sinus Headaches

Your sinuses are cavities in your cheekbones, forehead, and behind the bridge of your nose that are filled with air. The sinuses create a thin mucous that drains out of your nose. However, sometimes, a sinus cavity will become inflamed, which can occur during a sinus infection or allergic reaction. When this happens, the mucous cannot come out and sinus pressure can develop.

Sinus headaches might not just be limited to your head. You might also feel fullness in your face, as well as tenderness when you touch your cheeks or forehead. The sinus headache is usually accompanied by fever, facial swelling, and nasal discharge.

Treatment for Sinus Headaches

When seeking relief from sinus headaches, the main idea is to eliminate the pressure. This might mean that you need to take antibiotics as sinus headache medication, although sometimes, if the sinus pressure is caused by allergies, you might be able to alleviate the sinus pressure by draining the sinuses.

Common sinus headache medications include decongestants which constrict the blood vessels, pain relievers, and vasoconstrictors that decrease nasal congestion. Unfortunately, a lot of sinus medications can cause other problems. And if you don't really have a true sinus headache, then taking a decongestant might actually worsen the headache.

Decongestants can help relieve headaches caused by sinus problems, but they can be habit forming. You might take them in the form of tablets, or in a nasal spray. It's not good to continue them past a couple of days, though. Such sinus headache medication can also lead to side effects, which could include insomnia, a jittery nervous feeling, and constipation.

Antihistamines can help if the sinus headache is caused by an allergic reaction, but they can often make you sleepy and tired. In fact, some over the counter sleep aids actually rely on antihistamines for their sleep inducing qualities.

Some sinus headache medications can cause irregular heartbeats, raise your blood pressure, as well as cause other side effects. If you do need to take them, you should start out with a small dose and not exceed the recommended dose.

Natural Remedies for Sinus Headaches

If you don't want to take a sinus headache medication and would rather rely on natural health remedies, then there are some things that you can try at home yourself. Many people use sinus irrigation systems that basically consist of spraying a liquid into your nasal cavities in an attempt to clean out your sinuses. You can purchase these kits at most pharmacies.

There are quite a few herbs and oils that can be used for sinus relief. Nettle leaves, dandelion herbs, and peppermint can be combined in a Neti Pot and used to help relieve sinus pressure. Some people also have success in using a combination of cinnamon and ginger paste on their foreheads.

Sometimes, drinking a warm beverage can help relieve sinus pressure, too. Chamomile tea is used as a natural remedy for many ailments and can be used as a natural pain killer.

More natural remedies and treatments for headaches are available on the other related headache articles and pages on this website.

Read More: More on Headaches / Migraine | Natural Health Remedies for Various Ailments and Conditions | Home Page | Site Search

Click here to learn about a few simple exercises which can quickly eliminate your migraine and headaches.

Click here for natural, herbal and homeopathic remedies for headaches.

Click here for more pages and articles on Headaches / Migraine.

	Get Quality Natural Health Supplements at Reasonable Prices. $5 or $10 discount for new customers
Get natural, herbal and homeopathic remedies for hundreds of health conditions and ailments. GO.

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read. Leave a comment in the box below.

Some Related Headaches / Migraine Pages

What Causes Headaches? - Possible Triggers

Natural Cures for Headaches - Useful Treatments and Remedies

Home Remedies for Headaches - Important Tips

Natural Headache Remedies That Work - Tips

Herbs for Headaches - Useful Herbal Remedies

Yoga as Treatment for Headaches

Possible Causes of Migraine Headaches

Symptoms of Migraine Headaches - Common Signs

Cure for Migraine Headache - Useful Tips

Herbal Remedies for Migraines

Anti Migraine Diet and Lifestyle Plan

Home Remedies for Migraines - Natural Treatment and Relief

Common Migraine Headache Triggers and Causes

Treatment for Migraines - Alternative and Natural Relief

What is a Migraine and How Can it Be Treated in a Natural Way?

Common Migraine Food Triggers - What to Avoid in Your Migraine Prevention Plan

Different Types of Migraines

Obtaining Natural Migraine Relief

Natural Remedies for Migraines

Different Types of Headaches - Facts and Information

Hormone Headache - Different Types and Useful Remedies

Headache High Blood Pressure Connection

Headaches and Neck Pain - Why They Come Together, Treatments and Remedies

Sinus Headache Medication - How They Work, Potential Side Effects

Sinus Headache Symptoms and Signs

Obtaining Sinus Headache Relief

Menopause Headaches - Discussion, Causes and Remedies

Menstrual Headache - Causes, Remedies, Discussion

Discussing a Lupus Headache - Causes, Symptoms, Remedies

Spinal Headaches - Overview and Information

Temple Headache - Overview, Causes, Relief

Headache on Top of Head - Symptoms, Causes, Relief

Cluster Headache Treatment - Natural Remedies for Relief

Menstrual Migraines - Causes, Frequency, Timing, Treatment and Remedies