Montgomery News

• Your sinuses are located inside your forehead, cheekbones, and behind your nose.
• Headaches related to sinus issues typically involve discomfort and pressure in the facial region.
• Consulting with a sinus specialist for tailored treatment may improve your ability to manage and alleviate headache challenges.

If you're grappling with headaches, they could be stemming from sinus congestion. Dr. Manish Khanna of Capitol Breathe Free said the key to treating a sinus headache is to treat the sinuses themselves.

"Sinus headaches are a referred pain caused by inflammation and blockage of the sinus cavity, which is causing those nerves to fire and transmit the pain to the patient's facial area," Dr. Khanna told Montgomery News. "Whether it's behind the cheeks or whether it's in the forehead and the temples, it’s really anywhere in the head, depending on which sinuses are involved. You treat that, so you really are not treating the headache. You want to treat the sinus so that headache goes away."

Sinuses are air-filled cavities located within your forehead, cheekbones, and behind the bridge of your nose, according to WebMD. When these spaces become inflamed, often due to an allergic reaction or infection, they undergo swelling, increased mucus production, and potential blockage of draining channels. The resulting pressure buildup in your sinuses manifests as pain resembling a headache.

WebMD lists short-term antibiotics, antihistamines, or decongestants as treatments for these types of headaches. The publication notes secondary treatments such as inhaled nasal decongestants, pain relievers, and, if ineffective, corticosteroids can be prescribed to reduce sinus inflammation. In more serious cases, a sinus procedure may be recommended to address persistent swelling, which can, in turn, treat headaches caused by sinusitis.

According to the Mayo Clinic, if you're experiencing sinus headaches for more than 15 days per month and over-the-counter medication isn't helpful enough, or if your headaches are interfering with your daily life, it's strongly advised to seek treatment from a specialist.

According to Capitol Breathe Free's website, Dr. Khanna earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The following year, he conducted postgraduate research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In 2002, he completed his medical degree from Albany Medical College. Dr. Khanna then joined the otolaryngology residency program at Albany Medical Center, where he finished his surgical internship and residency. He held the position of chief resident until 2007. Following his residency, Dr. Khanna pursued a fellowship in rhinology, specializing in advanced endoscopic sinus surgery, at the California Sinus Institute in Palo Alto, California. He completed his fellowship in rhinology and earned board certification in otolaryngology—head and neck surgery in 2008 before returning to the Washington, D.C., metro area.