What pain reliever is best for sinus headache

Find specific relief for the kind of discomfort that comes with sinus pressure. Sinus headache relief products work to both clear your sinuses and relieve the pain. These sinus medicines can contain nasal decongestants or expectorants. which can both help to reduce pressure. Many also contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief. You can choose between sinus headache relief products in tablet or liquid form from brands such as Vick's, Advil and Robitussin here at Walgreens.com.

Table of Contents Show

Relief for sinus pain
More congestion relief
How do ibuprofen and acetaminophen work?
Why OTC pain relievers aren’t the answer.
Why an appointment at CT Sinus Center is the answer.
What is a sinus headache?
What are the symptoms of a sinus headache?
How is a sinus headache diagnosed?
What are some options for sinus headache treatment?
Where can I find the best sinus headache treatment in Houston?
Is Tylenol or ibuprofen better for sinus headache?
How do you get rid of a sinus headache fast?

Relief for sinus pain

For effective relief, choose your sinus headache relief based on what you need. You can find combination packs of both day time and night time relief to help you get better rest and feel good throughout the day. If you don't have any trouble sleeping, choose a day time sinus relief product. There are formulas for severe colds and coughs as well as different flavors of liquid medicines to choose from.

More congestion relief

Additional options for sinus relief include an assortment of products for children and adults. You can use nasal strips to help open your airways for better breathing while you sleep. Nasal sprays and neti pots can help clear your sinuses for up to 12 hours. Saline and nasal washes can be used by kids and adults for relief of sinus pressure, congestion and pain.

When the sinus pain and pressure hit, many of us will automatically reach for an over-the-counter pain reliever such as an ibuprofen like Advil or an acetaminophen like Tylenol. We know these medications work for some ailments, including a common headache, but are they really effective for relieving sinus pain? Yes and no.

How do ibuprofen and acetaminophen work?

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that keeps your body from producing the substances that cause inflammation. Acetaminophen, on the other hand, works to hinder the signals that let you know you’re in pain.

The truth is both are effective, but only temporarily, and neither one will alleviate all of the common symptoms of sinusitis. In addition, each one comes with monetary costs and inconveniences (you have to take them every couple of hours and stock up often). Like any medication, they also come with risks. For example, ibuprofen can cause heart and stomach issues while acetaminophen can lead to allergic reactions. Fortunately, these side effects are rare, but it’s a big chance to take.

Why OTC pain relievers aren’t the answer.

As we said above, these treatments are only temporary and have to be taken for as long as you are suffering … and then taken again when the sinus pain comes back. It’s a vicious cycle. More importantly, pain relievers only treat the symptoms and not the actual cause of your suffering. Chronic sinusitis can be caused by a number of things, which in turn cause inflammation, pain and blockage. These causes include:

Nasal polyps
Allergies & allergic reactions
Deviated nasal septum
Facial trauma resulting in fracture or broken bone
Other medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, gastroesophageal reflux, or HIV

So if you want to really put an end to your symptoms – permanently – CT Sinus Center can help.

Why an appointment at CT Sinus Center is the answer.

At CT Sinus Center, sinusitis is our specialty. Doctors Martin J. Spinella, Larry Marcus and Chris Loughlin all possess strong backgrounds and are well-versed in the latest advancements, treatments and procedures when it comes to treating acute and chronic sinusitis.

When you come in, we’ll take the extra time to really talk to you about your sinus pain and medical history before we do anything else. Then after we get to the root of the problem, we’ll develop a treatment plan that is right for you. We may find that you are the perfect candidate for balloon sinuplasty, a non-invasive, in-office procedure that can end sinus suffering forever.

Call 860-BALLOON to make your appointment at one CT Sinus Center’s four conveniently-located offices – Kent, Litchfield, Shelton and Waterbury – and leave the OTC pain remedies on the counter.

For additional information on sinus-related conditions or treatments, read more about CT Sinus Center and take a look at our blog.

If you’re suffering from headaches, they could have several different causes, including congestion in your sinuses. You may feel pain and pressure in your face due to sinusitis (sinus infection), and the first step toward effective treatment is an accurate diagnosis.

In this blog, board-certified ear, nose, and throat specialist Dr. Cecil Yeung will explain more about these types of headaches as well as sinus headache treatment.

What is a sinus headache?

A sinus headache is caused by swelling and pressure in your sinuses. These air-filled cavities usually allow mucus to freely drain and air to easily circulate throughout the nasal passages. When they become inflamed, however, mucus becomes trapped and isn’t able to properly drain. This condition is known as sinusitis, and it can be caused several things, including a cold, flu, or allergies.

As pressure builds up, it causes pain that feels like a headache.

What are the symptoms of a sinus headache?

Sinus headaches often cause the following symptoms:

Pressure and pain in your face or head (often in one specific area, such as behind your eyes, in your cheekbones or forehead, or at the bridge of your nose)
Pain that gets worse when you bend over, move suddenly, or lie down
Pain that’s worse in the morning
Pain that gets worse when you’re exposed to sudden temperature changes
Swelling in your face
Congested or runny nose
Fever
A sore throat and postnasal drip (the feeling of mucus dripping down the back of your throat)
Yellow or green nasal discharge
Fatigue
Pain in your upper teeth

How is a sinus headache diagnosed?

A sinus headache can sometimes be confused with a migraine or tension headache. If you’ve recently had a cold, allergies, or other symptoms that are usually associated with sinusitis that can indicate that your pain may be from a sinus headache. But if pain is your only symptom, it’s probably not a sinus headache.

If an underlying issue is causing your sinusitis and sinus headaches, your doctor may recommend more testing. For example, if allergies are causing your issues, allergy testing may be recommended.

What are some options for sinus headache treatment?

You can try some at-home lifestyle remedies, including drinking more fluids, using a humidifier or vaporizer to moisten the air, and using a saltwater nasal spray. You may also want to try applying a warm, wet towel to your face to help provide some relief.

In addition, the following are some common types of sinus headache treatment:

Antihistamines – These can help if your sinus headaches are caused by allergies, since they reduce or block histamines and help reduce inflammation and swelling. They are available over-the-counter and also by prescription and come in tablet or nasal spray form.
Decongestants – These oral or nasal medications can help reduce the amount of swelling and mucus in your nasal passages. They shouldn’t be used in the long-term, however.
Nasal steroid sprays – These are available by prescription or over the counter and can help reduce pain and congestion.
Antibiotics – These can be used if your doctor thinks your sinusitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Most infections, however, are viral, and if this is the case, antibiotics won’t help.
Pain medication – Medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen sodium can be used.

If medications don’t improve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery depending on the exact cause of your sinusitis and sinus headaches. The goal of surgery is to correct the underlying issue to provide long-term relief.

Surgical options can include the following:

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) – to remove polyps, bone spurs, or other tissue that’s preventing normal drainage.
Balloon sinuplasty – a minimally invasive procedure used to enlarge the sinus cavity by inflating and then removing a small balloon in the area

Where can I find the best sinus headache treatment in Houston?

Houston ear, nose, and throat specialist and surgeon Dr. Cecil Yeung has more than 20 years of experience in diagnosing and treating chronic sinusitis, which causes sinus headaches. At Houston Sinus Surgery at the Yeung Institute, he has pioneered endoscopic sinus surgery in the area, performing more than 4,000 sinus surgeries with a re-do rate that’s far less than average. He’s a board-certified physician who is known as a leader in his field as well as for his professionalism and precision.

Dr. Yeung will correctly diagnose the cause of your sinus headaches and sinusitis and recommend the most minimally invasive treatment possible that will yield the results you want.

To get relief from the pain and other symptoms of sinus headaches, contact Houston Sinus Surgery at the Yeung Institute today!

Is Tylenol or ibuprofen better for sinus headache?

If you have a sinus headache, reach for a bottle of ibuprofen or naproxen instead of acetaminophen. They are both anti-inflammatory drugs that can help ease the inflammation in your sinuses. A nasal decongestant can provide relief for your other symptoms.