However, vascular headaches can cause similar symptoms. When sinus disease is the cause of the headache, an accompanying fever is often present, and x-rays will indicate some sinus blockage. One or both nostrils are blocked and the pain extends over the cheek or forehead. The area is tender to the touch. Therapy is usually directed toward relief of infection or accompanying allergy.
Symptomatic relief includes analgesics and nasal vasoconstrictors.
The use of local corticosteroids may offer the allergic individual added relief where nasal symptoms are prominent. Therapy of the symptomatic type is similar in both cases where sinus and nasal symptoms are prominent, but the acute sinusitis requires the added therapy directed toward the offending organism or allergy. The migrainous individual requires the added therapy directed toward the basic migraine disorder. All rights reserved.