Nose & Sinus problems
Headache secondary to nose and sinus disease is not uncommon and well known patterns of headache are recognised according to the particular area of the nose and sinuses affected as well as the underlying disease process. There are four groups of sinuses: the maxillary, frontal, ethmoidal and sphenoidal sinuses. Most headaches due to nose and sinus disease are associated with other symptoms and most are due to either viral (common colds) or bacterial infection.
It is common for there to be more than one underlying cause. Hence, there is great variation in how patients present.
The following conditions are representative of nose and sinus problems which may lead to head-pain,but not all inclusive.
Rhinosinusitus:
Infective rhinosinusitus
May be acute or chronic
Causes include:
Viral (common colds, flu, herpes),Bacterial,Fungal,Syphilis, tuberculosis, rhinoscleroma (all rare)
Complications of Sinusitus:
Orbit/Eye involvement including permanent blindness
Meningitis
Brain Abscess
Diagnosis:
Is based on patients description of symptoms, examination findings including endoscopy of the nose, special Xrays (CT and MRI), blood and skin prick allergy tests, microbilogy swabs to culture infecting organisms
Treatment
Topical (sprays) and oral (tablets) nasal decongestants
Salt water irrigations (various formulae recommended)
Appropriate antibiotics
Topical and oral steroids
Appropriate surgery after failure of conservative treatment
Allergic rhinitis
A well known condition, acute, seasonal or chronic (perennial), caused by an abnormal response of the nasal lining to external substances called “allergens”. Related to asthma and eczema
Severe cases may cause headache, fullness and pressure, amongst other symptoms
Treated similarly to infective rhinitis except avoidance of allergens and antihistamines useful
Non-allergic rhinitis
Similar symptoms to allergic rhinitis but no evidence of allergic cause. Generally non-specific irritants (eg, atmospheric pollution)
Similarly treated to allergic rhinitis
Inflammatory rhinosinusitus:Autoimmune Disease,Wegeners’Systemic Lupus Erythematosis’Sarcoidosis'”Midline granuloma”
Hormonal rhinitis:Pregnancy – marked nasal congestion may lead to infective sinusitus during pregnancy.
Ear, Nose and Throat Problems may contribute to Headaches and Migraines so it is important to have them professionally addressed. It is also important to investigate for other potential causes, as many cases of Headaches and Migraines have more than one ingredient.
Key Words:sinus pains, sinus, sinusitis, rhinosinusitis, rhinitis, tumours, infections, sinus infection, sinus headaches, nose pains, nose, trigemminal neuralgias, temporal arteritis, facial cellulitis, ent specialist, ent surgeon, ear nose throat specialists,
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Author:Contact Details
Mr Anthony Guiney MBBS .FRACS
Profession: EAR NOSE THROAT, HEAD & NECK SURGEON
Address: Essendon ENT, Head and Neck Clinic
62 Buckley Street Essendon 3040
Suburb: Essendon
Phone: 03 9375 2099
Also consulting in Blackburn
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