It can be hard to determine if you have sinus headaches a result of the spring allergy season or migraine headache. Approximately 80 percent of people with migraine are misdiagnosed with sinusitis or “sinus headache”. There’s definitely an overlap with certain symptoms with the two disorders, especially the complaint of pressure or pain in the face. Looking at more than just the head pain but the associated symptoms of each disorder can help differentiate between the two.
Sinusitis associated symptoms can include cough, aches, postnasal drip, and thick yellow-green nasal discharge, itching (in the eyes, nose, and mouth), sneezing and tearing of the eyes. Migraine associated symptoms include nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound.
Additionally, identifying triggers and tracking when your headaches are worst can help differentiate between the two. Migraine attacks can be triggered by certain foods, caffeine, alcohol, weather, stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, sound, light and exercise. Sinus headaches are mostly only triggered by certain foods or drinks, environmental changes and animal dander.
Seeing a headache specialist like us at The Manhattan Center for Headache and Neurology can result in a correct diagnosis and proper treatment plan. Specialists like us are able to differentiate between the two, resulting in the right treatments and eventually less headaches.
We offer Telehealth visits covered by insurance! Same day appointments are available for in person appointments as well as virtual.
– Caroline Pruski, NP