Question: I’ve been experiencing terrible headache pain above my eyes. What is it, and what can I do about it?

Answer: You are probably suffering from Sinusitis, although it could also be a migraine.

Sinusitis is a condition involving inflammation and infection of the sinuses. There are several different sinus cavities in the skull, and mucus is constantly passing through them. Sometimes the mucus gets clogged, and becomes infested with bacteria or fungi. This causes inflammation and pain. The area of the pain depends on which sinus is infected. Pain behind the eyes is usually caused by an infection of the frontal sinuses. Pain from other infected sinuses can manifest in the cheeks and teeth, and on top of the head.

Extreme cases of so-called “chronic” sinusitis can be a debilitating, causing people to suffer constant severe pain for months at a time, but most cases of sinusitis are temporary, and may occur because of allergies or as a leftover effect from a severe cold.

The first thing you should try is taking an over-the-counter pain medication like Ibuprofen or acetaminophen. This will help you deal with the pain, and hopefully the sinus infection will go away on its own. Breathing in steam is also a good remedy. You can try taking a long hot shower, and it will sometimes help loosen up the sinuses and relieve your symptoms.

If the symptoms continue for more than a week, you should see a doctor. He will probably prescribe antibiotics as an initial treatment. Antibiotics can be helpful in some cases of sinusitis, but it’s not uncommon for them to fail. The condition has many different bacterial and fungal causes and it can be hard to find an effective antibiotic. One of the most effective treatments for chronic sinusitis is a mix of steroid nasal sprays, and saline nasal washes. The washes help your body clear away the mucus, while the steroid spray helps deal with inflammation and pain. If your sinusitis persists for a long time, you’re doctor may begin a treatment plan along these lines.

Migraine is another possibility, although it’s very unlikely. Migraine pain can manifest in a very similar way to a sinus headache, but it is usually accompanied with other symptoms, like nausea, and light sensitivity. If you have some of these other symptoms, you can assume that it might be a migraine, and you should see a doctor. There are prescription medications that can help people cope with migraines. In the meantime, you should try over the same over-the-counter pain meds you would use for sinusitis.

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