Migraines often mistaken for sinus headaches

AORN Journal, Dec, 2002

People who believe they are suffering from a sinus headache actually may be suffering from a migraine, according to an October 2002 news release from the National Headache Foundation. True sinusitis presents with several major symptoms including, facial pressure, postnasal drainage, congestion, and altered ability to taste and smell. Additional minor symptoms may include headache, cough, ear pressure, and fatigue. When a headache is the only symptom, it is more likely a vascular type of headache.

A study conducted at the Headache Care Center, Springfield, Mo, found that 97% of participants who had self-diagnosed sinus headaches actually had symptoms consistent with migraine attacks. Reasons that headache sufferers have difficulty distinguishing between a sinus headache and a migraine include that

* some people associate strange visual symptoms with migraine headaches (only 20% of migraine sufferers experience these symptoms);

* both sinus headaches and migraines can be triggered by weather changes;

* both types of headaches produce pain in the same areas; and

* both types of headaches can cause drainage and other sinus symptoms, such as teary eyes.

Correct diagnosis of the type of headache will lead to more effective treatment. Migraine sufferers may experience better outcomes using migraine-specific treatments, whereas sinus headache sufferers should receive treatment based on an evaluation of the sinuses.

Sinus Headaches Versus Migraine (news release, Chicago: National Headache Foundation, October 2002) http:// www.headaches.org/professional/press releases/sinus release.pdf (accessed 21 Oct 2002).