Nature Coast Times

• The symptoms of a sinus headache include swelling in the face, persistent pain and fever.

• Sinus headaches are different from migraines, though they are often confused with one another.

• Balloon sinuplasty is an effective solution for those suffering from chronic sinusitis.

Dr. Mariah Pate | TambaBayBreatheFree.com

"When the sinuses get obstructed, it causes people to feel facial pressure and pain," Dr. Mariah Pate of Tampa Bay Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told Nature Coast Times. "A lot of times, people have sinus headaches and a lot of pressure when the weather changes. The reason that happens is that the openings are blocked, so the air is not able to flow the way it's supposed to. This leads to chronic inflammation, when people have a sinus infection or the typical thing you think of -- the buildup of fluid in the sinus sits in your cheek sinuses. Your teeth are obviously there, and the fluid will sit and cause inflammation and lead to tooth pain."

It is common for sinuses to become inflamed after a reaction to an allergen or an infection resulting in swelling, mucus production and blockage of the nasal drainage. It is common for sinus pressure to cause pain that feels like a headache, according to WebMD. Symptoms of a sinus headache may include swelling of the face, a feeling of fullness in the ears, a fever and persistent pain in the cheekbones, forehead or nose bridge. Sinus headaches can sometimes be mistaken for migraines or tension headaches.

According to the American Migraine Foundation, sinus headaches and migraines share some symptoms, but migraines have other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light, noise or smell.

There are several surgical options available to patients with sinusitis, including balloon sinuplasty and endoscopy. Balloon sinuplasty is a newer method of treatment and is suitable for people who don't need anything removed from the sinuses. During surgery, the doctor inserts a thin tube with a small balloon at one end into the nose. After guiding the balloon to the blocked area inside in the sinuses, the doctor inflates it. To relieve congestion in the sinuses, the balloon helps clear the passageway.

If you are experiencing sinus headaches or chronic sinusitis, please take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz provided by Tampa Bay Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers.