| If you think you have sinus headaches, think | | | | polyps. These polyps grow in your nasal passages |
| again. The fact is, the idea of sinus headaches is a | | | | and sinuses. The most common symptoms of |
| myth. | | | | nasal polyps are that you have to breathe |
| There is no such thing as a sinus headache. The | | | | through your mouth, having the sensation that |
| fact is, your sinus headache is caused by | | | | your nasal passages are blocked, a runny nose, |
| something associated with your sinuses. What | | | | and a loss of sense of smell. People who have |
| generally happens is that your sinuses become | | | | nasal polyps may think that they have a cold |
| inflamed as the result of an infection or an allergy. | | | | that's lasted months or even years - as the |
| This inflammation stops the outflow of mucus | | | | symptoms of nasal polyps are so similar to those |
| which, in turn, causes a pain similar to a headache. | | | | caused by a cold. |
| Not a sinus headache but sinusitis | | | | Anosmia |
| Most people who say they have sinus headaches | | | | One of the more serious sinus diseases that can |
| have headaches caused by a condition called | | | | occur is anosmia - a loss of the sense of smell. A |
| sinusitis. This happens when our ostia - which join | | | | cold, sinusitis or nasal polyps, as mentioned above, |
| our nasal cavities to our paranasal sinuses - | | | | can cause you to lose your sense of smell.If |
| become blocked by an allergic inflammation or a | | | | you're lucky, it will be temporary and last just a |
| swelling of our nasal linings. This can happen as the | | | | few days or weeks. This loss of can be |
| result of a cold or allergy. When the ostia become | | | | permanent if the olfactory receptor neurons in |
| blocked, the drainage of our mucus is interrupted | | | | your nose have died. |
| and we develop sinusitis. While sinusitis is not a | | | | Is there a fungus up your nose? |
| serious illness, it can be very annoying. The | | | | If you have or think you have chronic sinusitis, |
| symptoms can include bad breath, coughing, | | | | the villain may be a fungus or fungi causing a |
| fever, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, fatigue | | | | condition that's known as fungal sinusitis. In 1999, |
| and pain. | | | | the Mayo Clinic released a study demonstrating |
| Other sinus problems | | | | that 93% of all chronic sinusitis is actually fungal |
| Actually, you might consider yourself lucky if you | | | | sinusitis. The simplest explanation of this condition |
| do have sinusitis, because there are far worse | | | | is that it's a delayed immune reaction to mold. If |
| things that could be affecting your sinuses. For | | | | you believe you have chronic sinusitis, the best |
| example, the second most common cause of a | | | | person to see is an ear, nose and throat specialist |
| sinus problem - and sinus headaches - is an allergy | | | | (otolaryngologist) as he or she is best qualified to |
| such as allergic rhinitis. This occurs when you are | | | | help determine what is causing your problem. In |
| allergic to something in your environment - dust, | | | | summary, the idea that you are having sinus |
| pet dander, mold or pollen. If you're allergic to | | | | headaches is a myth. The truth is that there are |
| plant pollen, you have what's usually called hay | | | | diseases related to your sinuses that can cause |
| fever. If so, we don't have to tell you about the | | | | your headaches. So, if you are suffering from |
| sneezing; itchy, watery eyes; swelling; and the | | | | headaches related to your sinuses, make sure |
| runny, stuffy nose caused by hay fever. | | | | you get to your health care provider and get to |
| Nasal polyps | | | | the root of your problem. |
| Allergic rhinitis and sinusitis can also result in nasal | | | | |