Inflammation may be the result of either bacterial or viral attack. The sinuses involved are spaces in the bones around the nose, cheeks and eyes. They are lined with mucus glands which produce about 800ml of fluid each day. This fluid usually drains from the sinus through a duct into the back of the nose. This duct may become obstructed when patients have a cold or hayfever, which results in reduced drainage.
Pressure then builds up in the sinus leading to sensory nerve pain.
Viral or bacterial invasion of the sinus results in inflammation with a similar result. Frequently, both events occur simultaneously, the latter as a result of the former. Presentation of a headache associated with some of the other symptoms of a cold is not unusual. The location of the headache is crucial. The prime symptom is the headache.