Springtime is here. Unfortunately, that means the arrival of seasonal allergy symptoms for many people. As flowers bloom, you may find yourself sneezing, coughing, and feeling generally uncomfortable. You may also find yourself experiencing more frequent headaches, which you might assume are the result of sinus pressure due to frequent congestion. However, research has shown that what many people assume are sinus headaches are actually other types of headaches like migraines or tension headaches. Accurately identifying the source of your pain can be important for effectively treating your symptoms.
Sinus Headache or Migraine?
Rhinosinusitis, or inflammation, blockage, and swelling of the sinuses can cause headaches. However, these types of headaches are relatively rare. Most headaches experienced by allergy sufferers are actually migraines, which can be triggered by sinus congestion among other factors. Migraines cause moderate to severe pain and throbbing and may bring other symptoms like nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and a lack of restful sleep.
How to Find Relief
If you suffer from seasonal allergies and frequent headaches that accompany your other allergy symptoms, the first step is to get your allergies under control. Allergy treatments may include allergy shots, over-the-counter and prescription medications, and lifestyle changes to limit exposure to various allergens. Controlling allergies may be helpful for both rhinosinusitis headaches and migraines, since allergies are a common migraine trigger. However, if your pain persists even after allergies have been managed, it is likely that there is something else going on, so you should continue to work with your primary care physician to understand the source of your discomfort.
If springtime has you feeling down due to seasonal allergies and headaches, Walmart Health Virtual Care can help. Our Virtual Care providers are available around the clock with convenient telehealth visits that you can access from the comfort of home.
