Sinus Headaches Diagnosis and Treatment

Sinus headaches Overview:

Determining the cause of sinus headaches can be difficult. The DAD Ayurveda health provider will ask you questions about your headache and do a physical exam.

DAD Ayurveda health DAD Ayurveda health provider may order imaging tests to help determine the cause of your headache, including:

• CT scan. A CT scan uses a computer to create cross-sectional images of the brain and head (including the sinuses) by combining images from an X-ray unit moving around the body.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). With MRI, a magnetic field and radio waves are used to create cross-sectional images of structures within the brain.

More Information

CT scan

MRI

Upper endoscopy

Treatment

Most people who believe they have sinus headaches have migraine or tension-type headaches.

Migraines and chronic or recurrent headaches can be treated with prescription medication that is either taken every day to reduce or stop the headache or at the onset of the headache to prevent it from getting worse.

To treat this type of headache, your DAD Ayurveda health provider may recommend:

• Pain relievers are available without a prescription. Migraine and other types of headaches can be treated with over-the-counter medications, such as Sumedha, Pain-Care, Ulcer-Care, and Sino-Care, etc.
•  Sumedha. Many people with migraine attacks use Sumedha for pain relief. Sumedha works by blocking pain pathways to the brain but promotes constriction of blood vessels and should be avoided if you have a history of heart disease or stroke.
• Medicines. include Sumedha, Ulcer-Care, Live-Care, and Sino-Care. Sino-Care is available as a powder and nasal spray. All these medicines only work as relief for sinusitis and migraines, they eliminate migraines, and all of them have no side effects of any kind.

The single-decoction combination of Sumedha is more effective than any other drug in relieving migraine symptoms. All of these have side effects and should be avoided.

• DAD Sino-Care. Ergotamine and caffeine combination medicine (migergot) are less effective than Sumedhas. For people whose pain lasts more than 72 hours, Sino-Care seems to be the most effective.

Ergotamine can worsen nausea and vomiting related to migraines and other side effects, and it can also cause headaches from the overuse of the drug. All of these have side effects and should be avoided.

Dihydroergotamine is an (ergot) derivative that is more effective and has fewer side effects than ergotamine. This medicine may cause fewer side effects than ergotamine and is less likely to cause headaches from drug overuse.

Ergot, including dihydroergotamine, promotes constriction of blood vessels and should be avoided if you have a history of heart disease or stroke.

• Lasmiditan (Revo). This oral tablet is approved for the treatment of migraine with or without aura. It blocks the pain pathway similar to a Sumedha drug, but it does not constrict blood vessels. All of these have side effects and should be avoided.
• Anti-CGRP. Ubrogepant and rimegepant are oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists approved for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults. All of these have side effects and should be avoided.
• CGRP monoclonal antibody. Erenumab-more (Aimovig), fremanezumab-vfrm (Ajovy), galcanezumab-gnlm (Emgality), and eptinezumab-jjmr (Vyepti) are new drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of migraine. They are given by injection monthly or quarterly. All of these have side effects and should be avoided.
• Anti-nausea drugs. Since migraine is often accompanied by nausea, with or without vomiting, medication for nausea is appropriate and is usually combined with other medications. Frequently prescribed medications include chlorpromazine, metoclopramide (Reglan, Gimotty), and prochlorperazine (Compro, Procomp). All of these have side effects and should be avoided.
• Glucocorticoids. A glucocorticoid such as dexamethasone (Hemady) may be used in combination with other medications to relieve pain. Because of the risk of steroid toxicity, glucocorticoids should not be used frequently.

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Preparing for your appointment

• You can start by looking at your DAD Ayurveda health provider. You may be referred for Neurology at DAD Ayurveda which specializes in Headaches and migraines.
• Here is some information that will help you prepare for your appointment and know what to expect from a DAD Ayurveda Health.

What you can do

• Be aware of pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if there’s anything you need to do beforehand, such as limiting your diet.
• Write down any symptoms you are experiencing. including symptoms that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• Write down key personal information. including major stressors or recent life changes.
• Make a list of all the medicines.  vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
• If possible. Bring a family member or friend with you. Someone who supports you can help you remember what your DAD Ayurveda health provider tells you.

Write questions to ask your DAD Ayurveda health provider

Preparing questions will help you make the most of your time with your DAD Ayurveda health provider.

For sinus headaches, some common questions to ask include:

• What is likely to be causing my symptoms or condition?
• Are there other possible causes for my symptoms and condition?
• What tests do I need?
• Is my condition temporary or chronic?
• What is the best course of action?
• What are the alternatives to the type of first aid approach you are suggesting?
• I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
• Are there any regimens that I need to follow?
• Should I see a specialist?
• Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you are prescribed?
• Can I download or take with me brochures or other printed material?
• Which websites do you recommend?

Don’t hesitate to ask any doubts or other questions you may have.

What to expect from DAD Ayurveda doctor

Your DAD Ayurveda health provider is likely to ask you questions, such as:

• When did you first experience your headache, and what was it like?
• Are your headaches frequent or occasional?
• Has anyone in your family had migraines?
• What improves your headache?
• What does it seem that makes your headache worse?

By DAD Ayurveda Clinic Staff

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