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Headache on stooping

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 17.10.2021
 
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The most common cause of headache when tilting is sinusitis (it is also called sinusitis). When this disease hurts the head in the area of the sockets, cheekbones, cheeks, teeth can ache, and this pain is exacerbated precisely by bending. How to recognize the cause of a headache when bending and how to treat it?

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Causes of the headache on stooping

The nose first meets pathogenic microbes, penetrating from the environment, so it often develops inflammatory processes. Local “battles” of immunity against pathogenic flora are taking place, and the immune system often loses.

Sinusitis (sinusitis) is a common name for inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. More precisely, inflammation of the maxillary sinus (sinusitis), frontal sinus (frontal sinusitis), ethmoid sinus, sphenoid sinus (sphenoiditis). The last disease, sphenoiditis, is extremely rare. And for all these diseases, a common symptom is characteristic - severe headache on stooping.

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How to distinguish from sinusitis migraine?

If you have a headache when bending, you need to find out the true cause of the headache. One recent study found that out of 100 people who thought they had headaches due to sinus almost 90% actually suffered from migraine headaches.

With migraines, headaches can also get worse when you lean forward and they can also be accompanied by nasal congestion. But migraine headaches are likely to worsen due to noise or light and may be accompanied by nausea.

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Why did such confusion arise?

First, the symptoms of various types of headaches have a lot in common. Secondly, headaches manifest in many diseases, such as, for example, the common cold. Given this confusion, it is important to establish the correct diagnosis. Why? Proper treatment of headache due to sinusitis may not have an effect in the treatment of another disease - and vice versa. Without a correct diagnosis, doctors cannot relieve your pain.

Why does sinusitis occur?

A sinus headache with a tilt may be caused by an overload of the sinuses and inflammation, which is called sinusitis or sinusitis. Sinusitis, in turn, is caused by respiratory infections, such as a cold or flu, allergies or hay fever.

Pathogenic microbes enter the sinuses of the nose, and the body cannot resist the effects of the infection. Causes - reduced immunity, hypothermia, allergies, high activity of pathogenic microbes.

Breathe through the nose with sinus a person can not. Possible causes are inflammation and swelling of the throat mucosa and curvature of the nasal septum. The sinus is isolated from the nasal cavity, but there is a lot of mucus in it, which gradually fills the sinuses and constantly stands out. This creates ideal conditions for the reproduction of microbes.

In the sinuses is a process of inflammation, excretion products are released (pus). Since there is no outflow from the sinuses, the decay products are under pressure in it and are intensively absorbed into the bloodstream, poisoning the entire body. In addition, excessive pressure irritates the sinus wall of the nose. Hence the characteristic symptoms, in particular, severe headache when bending the head.

Headache due to sinusitis often worries a woman during pregnancy. There are many herbs and medicines that pregnant and lactating women should not use. Consult a doctor before using herbs or supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The mechanism of headache for sinus

Healthy sinuses allow mucus to merge, and air to circulate through all the nasal passages. When the sinuses become inflamed, these areas are blocked and mucus cannot drain. When the sinuses are blocked, they become a great place for bacteria, viruses, fungi that settle there and grow faster.

Risk factors

  1. Allergy - especially hay fever - or asthma
  2. Nasal polyps or tumors in the nasal passage, spurs of the nasal bones, nasal or facial tumors, curvature of the nasal septum or cleft palate
  3. Climbing or flying at high altitudes
  4. Frequent swimming or diving

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Symptoms of the headache on stooping

Headache with sinus often most deep, throbbing, it concentrates in front of the head and face.

Sinus (sinus headache) headaches often begin as soon as you get up in the morning, they can get worse in the afternoon. The maxillary headache can be difficult to diagnose, due to the fact that its symptoms are similar to headaches of tension and migraine.

Sinus headaches usually cause these symptoms.

  • Pressure and pain in one particular area of the face or head (for example, in the sockets)
  • Face is sensitive when palpating
  • The pain intensifies with sharp movements of the head and bending forward.
  • Stronger and sharper pain in the morning, because mucus collects in the sinuses all night
  • Sudden changes in temperature, when a person goes to the frost from a warm room, aggravate the pain
  • Headache often begins during or immediately after a cold.

Other symptoms may be associated with inflammation of the sinuses sinuses:

  • Postnasal sore throat (pharyngitis).
  • Yellow or green nasal discharge.
  • Red and swollen nasal passages ( nasal congestion ).
  • Fever, chills - mild to moderate.
  • General feeling of weakness, weakness.
  • Fatigue.

Diagnostics of the headache on stooping

Your doctor will ask questions to distinguish a maxillary headache from a migraine and tension headaches. If you have recently had colds, allergies, or symptoms of sinusitis, and you tell about it, it will help the doctor to make a definite diagnosis.

An ENT specialist will usually carefully inspect the nose to check for nasal sinuses overload and discharge. The doctor also clicks on different parts of your face to check for sensitivity. The doctor can use nasal sinuses to check for inflammation, and if the light does not shine through them, your sinuses may be overwhelmed with mucus.

If the doctor suspects you have chronic sinusitis, you may need an x-ray, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If your doctor suspects allergies, which can cause sinusitis, you may need an allergy test. You may need an additional referral to a specialist known as ear-nose-throat (ENT) doctor or otolaryngologist. This specialist can perform nasal endoscopy using a fiber-optic area to clearly examine the condition of the sinuses.

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Precautionary measures

You must go to the emergency room or call an ambulance if you experience the following condition.

  • Sudden and severe headache that persists or worsens within 24 hours
  • Sudden severe headache, which can be described as "your worst pain", even if you have always been prone to headaches
  • Chronic or severe headaches that begin after 50 years
  • Headache, which is accompanied by loss of memory, confusion, loss of balance, changes in speech or vision, loss of strength, numbness or tingling in any of the limbs
  • Headache accompanied by fever, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting (it may indicate meningitis)
  • Severe headache in one eye, accompanied by reddening of the eyes (may indicate acute glaucoma)

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What do need to examine?

Treatment of the headache on stooping

The best way to get rid of sinus headache, which occurs when the head is tilted, is to treat the inflamed sinuses. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or corticosteroids.

Lifestyle changes are also needed, such as using a humidifier or irrigating the nasal passages with salt water. Some dietary supplements and herbs can help prevent colds and the flu or shorten their duration. They can affect sinusitis in combination with antibiotics to treat infection and support the immune system.

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Comprehensive treatment of headaches for sinus

These treatments will help reduce congestion in the sinuses and reduce headaches:

  • Use a humidifier.
  • Use saline nasal spray.
  • Breathe over steam or in the steam room 2 - 4 times a day (for example, sitting in the bathroom with a hot shower).
  • Treatment of allergic asthma attacks.
  • Other methods that can help with headache include.
  • Massage painful areas of the head and neck.
  • Relaxation methods.

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Drugs for the treatment of tilt headache

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Antibiotics

The doctor may prescribe antibiotics if he suspects that you have a bacterial infection. For the treatment of acute sinusitis, you can undergo antibiotic treatment for 10 to 14 days. Treatment of chronic sinusitis may take longer, usually 3 to 4 weeks.

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Nasal Corticosteroids

These sprays can reduce the inflammation of the nose and relieve the symptoms of allergies and colds: sneezing, itching and runny nose. They are most effective in reducing symptoms, although treatment can take from a few days to a week after the start of their use.

  • Beclomethasone (Beconase)
  • Fluticasone (Flonase)
  • Mometazone (Nasonex)

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Antihistamines

Antihistamines are available in the form of oral and nasal sprays. They are available on prescription and over-the-counter allergy treatments. Prescription fast-acting antihistamines can ease symptoms - from mild to moderate. They all work by blocking the release of histamine in the body.

Antihistamines: diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine (chlorine-Trimeton), clemastine (Tavist). These good old antihistamines can cause drowsiness.

Fexofenadine (Allegra), cetrizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (claritin) are new antihistamines that do not cause drowsiness.

Many prescription decongestants are available in pill or nasal spray form. They are often used as antihistamines.

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Oral nasal means

These may include Sudafed, Actifed, Afrin, Neo-Synephrin. Some decongestants may contain pseudoephedrine, which can increase blood pressure. People with high blood pressure or an enlarged prostate should not take drugs containing pseudoephedrine.

Avoid using nasal products for more than 3 days in a row unless advised by a doctor. Do not use them if you have emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

In one study, 82% of patients with sinus headaches showed a significant allergic reaction to triptan, a drug commonly used to treat migraine.

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Surgery and other procedures

In chronic sinusitis, if the prescribed treatment is ineffective, the doctor may recommend endoscopic surgery, which is used to remove polyps or bone spurs. Increasing or opening the sinuses is also sometimes recommended for the treatment of sinusitis and reduction of headaches when bending. For this purpose there is also a very effective procedure, it is called rhinoplasty. It involves the process of inserting the balloons inside the sinus cavity, and then inflating them.

All operations that concern the sinuses are performed by an ENT specialist.

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Nutrition and nutritional supplements

Some supplements can help prevent or cure headaches due to sinus being blocked or by reducing sinus inflammation. They can also help protect against colds. Since supplements can have side effects and interact with other medications, you should take them only under the supervision of a knowledgeable physician.

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Bromeline

Some studies show that bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapples, may help reduce inflammation and swelling of the sinuses and alleviate the symptoms of sinusitis. However, not all researchers unanimously accept this view.

Bromelain is often combined with quercetin, flavonoids - vegetable pigments. It is found in fruits and vegetables that can be taken as antihistamines. Bromelain can increase the risk of bleeding, so people who take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or clopidogrel (Plavix), should not take bromelain without consulting a doctor.

Taking bromelain with ACE inhibitors, a person can cause a strong decrease in blood pressure, increase the risk of hypotension.

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Kvertsetin

Quercetin is a flavonoid, a pigment that is responsible for the color of the fruits and vegetables that it contains. It inhibits the production and release of a histamine substance that causes allergy symptoms, such as runny nose and lacrimation. Quercetin is often combined with bromelain, an additive made from pineapples. However, there is no accurate evidence that quercetin works well in humans. More research is needed.

Some people may prefer water-soluble forms of quercetin, such as hesperidin methyl chalcone (HMC) or quercetin chalcone. Quercetin may interact with certain medications, so consult your doctor before taking it for headaches.

Probiotics (Lactobacillus)

Probiotics, or "friendly" bacteria, can help if you take antibiotics for sinusitis. They can also reduce the chance of developing allergies. People who have a weakened immune system or who take drugs to suppress the immune system should ask their doctor before taking probiotics.

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Herbs

The use of herbs is a good approach for strengthening the body and treating headaches. Herbs, however, can cause side effects and interact negatively with other herbs, supplements or medications. Therefore, you should take herbs with caution, under the guidance of a doctor.

As in the situation with supplements, there are many herbs that can help reduce the risk of headache due to sinusitis, help cope with a cold, increase the power of your immune system, or reduce inflammation of the sinuses.

Among the effective herbal supplements for headache when tilting due to sinusitis is Sinupret, a herbal composition containing elderberry (elderberry black), horse sorrel (Rumex acetosa), primrose (primula spring), European verbena (Verbena officinalis) and gentian (Gentiana) yellow). According to studies, Sinupret very well helps in relieving the symptoms of sinusitis. The herbs it contains will help thin out mucus and help it to drain from the sinuses, and also helps strengthen the immune system.

Other plants have traditionally been used to treat headaches.

  • Baikal skullcap
  • Pyrethrum (Tanacetum parthenium)
  • Willow bark
  • Hypericum
  • Bagulnik
  • Viburnum juice with honey
  • Mint
  • Coward
  • Melissa
  • Soul

People who take blood thinners or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take these herbs. People who are allergic to aspirin should not take willow bark. Feverfew may negatively interact with multiple medications. If you are allergic to ambrosia, you may also be allergic to feverfew.

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Homeopathy

Homeopathy can significantly alleviate chronic headaches. Several studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic remedies. Professional homeopaths can recommend treatment for headaches due to sinusitis based on their knowledge and clinical experience. In one study of the effect of homeopathy, over 80% of the participants within 2 weeks received a significant improvement in symptoms after taking a homeopathic remedy.

For prescribing drugs, homeopaths take into account the constitutional type of a person, his state of health, individual tolerance of the means of treatment. An experienced homeopath evaluates all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for each individual.

Acupuncture 

Although there are very few scientific studies on this subject, and they show contradictory results, some doctors believe that acupuncture helps alleviate the symptoms of sinusitis. Acupuncturists usually describe sinusitis as "dampness", which creates inflammation and congestion in the mucous membranes. This dampness is cleared by strengthening the spleen meridian and the stomach meridian.

Practicing homeopaths often perform puncture therapy and / or cauterization, a method in which burning wormwood is applied to certain acupuncture points.

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Chiropractors

Although there are no studies on the use of chiropractic to treat headaches due to sinusitis, some practitioners suggest that it can reduce pain and improve the condition of many people.

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Relaxation

For headaches of unexplained etiology, relaxation techniques can be very helpful. This is especially true if headaches often return, as is the case with sinusitis. You can try the following methods:

Biofeedback to control muscle tension

Learn to meditate, breathe deeply or try other relaxation exercises such as yoga or hypnotherapy.

Try guided imaging techniques (imagined situations to solve them)

Homemade headache treatment for tilting

Headache treatment usually has a twofold goal: you treat a headache and at the same time eliminate its root causes.

To relieve pain and pressure on the sinuses when you have sinus, there are some treatments you can try.

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The use of OTC drugs

This is an obvious solution, and you probably already tried it. But medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen sodium (Aleve) can help reduce pain. Always read the label and do not use these drugs for more than 10 days without consulting your doctor.

Try decongestants

These medicines can help open blocked sinuses by reducing swelling in the nasal passages and reducing the amount of mucus. But follow the instructions. Do not use nasal sprays and decongestants for more than three days in a row, and do not use oral decongestants for more than seven days in a row. Examples of such agents are  phenylpropanolamine,  tetrizolin, indanazolin.

Keep the nasal passages moist

Dry air will irritate the sinuses, which have already suffered. So use a humidifier or wet steam to clean the sinuses from the mucus. Relax with a warm wet towel on your face for a few minutes. Try saline to rinse the nose after a nasal spray.

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Use nasal irrigation (or rinsing)

Rinse the sinuses with onion juice, diluted in half with water, or salt water. It moisturizes the nasal mucosa and helps clear the mucus from the nasal passages, which helps to reduce pressure on the sinuses and reduces headache. If you have never tried this approach, ask your doctor for advice.

It is important to note that if you are irrigating, washing or rinsing the sinuses, you must use distilled water, sterile or previously boiled water to make up the solution for irrigation.

Avoid irritants.

Perfume, cigarette smoke and some chemicals can worsen the symptoms of sinusitis, irritating the nasal passages.

If home treatment does not work or if you have high fever, pain or swelling of the face or eyes, redness around the eyes and cheeks, severe headache, confusion or stiff neck, consult a doctor immediately. Together you will be able to determine the final diagnosis and then apply the correct treatment for a headache while bending.

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Drugs

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