NE Valley Times

Ear, nose and throat specialists are finding success in relieving sinus headaches through a relatively new procedure called balloon sinuplasty.

With numerous methods available to treat your sinus conditions and sinus headaches with over-the-counter medications, it can be hard to know where to start and when to see a doctor. If headaches take place more than 15 days per month and over-the-counter medicines are used frequently but help little, it could be time to see a doctor, according to Mayo Clinic.

"Sinus headaches essentially come from either air or mucus getting trapped in your sinuses," Dr. Brian Lee of Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center told NE Valley Times. "And that drainage pathway, or that drainage hole, gets plugged up. Now that can get plugged up from inflammation, just from simple allergies or a cold. One of the best ways to try to quickly alleviate that would be to take a decongestant like a Sudafed, which helps shrink down some of the some of that inflammation to get those sinuses to ventilate a little bit or relieve the pressure."

According to Mayo Clinic, sinus headaches are associated with pain and pressure in the face and sinuses and can cause symptoms such as inflammation, nasal congestion, pain, pressure and fullness in your cheeks, brow or forehead. You may experience worsening pain if you bend forward or lie down, as well as stuffy nose, fatigue and an achy feeling in your upper teeth.

It could be hard to breathe through your nose when you have acute sinusitis, according to Mayo Clinic. The area around your eyes and face might feel swollen, and you might feel maxillary sinus pain and throbbing facial pain or headaches. Acute sinusitis is sinusitis that resolves on its own or when symptoms do not last longer than 12 weeks.

You could try home remedies for sinus headaches, and when all options have been exhausted, there is a relatively new procedure called balloon sinuplasty. During this minimally invasive procedure, a tiny balloon is inserted into the blocked sinus cavity to open sinus passages, allowing them to drain. During the procedure, the sinuses can be irrigated as well.

A 2008 study of 65 patients by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation concluded that 85% of patients reported an improvement of their sinus symptoms two years after having a balloon sinuplasty. The study was done at 6 months, one year and two years after the procedure. X-ray evidence proves sinus disease remission after two years.

Those who are seeking a diagnosis or sinus headache relief can take this Sinus Self-Assessment to start down the path of treatment.