Sinusitis and headache are each extremely common diseases, and although sometimes they can be related, often they are separate issues. With too many people suffering from each of these problems, there is bound to be some overlap and confusion on the part of the patient as to what their diagnosis truly is. "Sinus headache" is a common complaint that patients present with, but evidence suggests that this phrase may not be a real clinical diagnosis.

Sinusitis can be divided into many different categories, but the simplest distinction is the difference between Acute Sinusitis and Chronic Sinusitis. Acute sinusitis is defined as sinusitis lasting four weeks or less. Chronic sinusitis is defined as sinusitis lasting longer than 12 weeks. An acute exacerbation of chronic sinusitis is defined as a sudden worsening of symptoms in a patient who has chronic sinusitis with a return of symptoms to baseline after treatment.

The diagnostic criteria put forth by the International Headache Society for "headache attributed to sinusitis" require a frontal headache (meaning in the region of your forehead), evidence of rhinosinusitis, and resolution of the headache with appropriate sinusitis treatment. The clinical evidence may include drainage in the nasal cavity, nasal obstruction, decreased or absent sense of smell, and/or fever. Chronic rhinosinusitis is not validated as a cause of headache or facial pain except in cases of acute relapse. These headaches are caused by the pressure of mucus against the lining of the sinus cavities when that mucus becomes trapped and unable to drain into the nasal cavity due to inflammation and swelling of the openings.

Home Remedies
When it comes to home remedies for headaches, there are a lot of things that you can do. Trying to find headache relief is very important for most people. One good way to get that relief is by applying ice to your head. If you think that you have a tension headache, which is the cause of almost all headaches, then you need to use heat to loosen up the muscles that are tight. Headache home remedies also normally involve lying down in a dark room. That is because light can make your headaches worse. If you have any honey and apple cider vinegar, try to boil them. When it starts to steam inhale the steam. This should help to remove your headache. Other people like to take sliced cucumber and place it on their forehead. This normally helps remove headaches as well. Last, but not least, drinking a few cups of peppermint tea is normally a good idea as well.