Williamsburg Sun

New treatments for sinus headaches are being developed using cutting-edge technology and a revitalized dedication to helping patients with this condition.

Dr. John Ditto sees hundreds of patients a year at his clinic, Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers. He said sinus headaches can also lead to sinus infections due to inflammation, and the best way to treat these conditions and stop them altogether is to address the underlying allergy.

"So by treating the allergy, you decrease the inflammation. You can maintain sinus openings so that they drain effectively and reduce recurrent and chronic sinusitis," Ditto told the Williamsburg Sun.

According to WebMD, "Your sinuses are air-filled spaces inside your forehead, cheekbones and behind the bridge of your nose. When they get inflamed -- usually because of an allergic reaction or an infection -- they swell, make more mucus, and the channels that drain them can get blocked. The buildup of pressure in your sinuses causes pain that feels like a headache."

There are some telltale signs that you are suffering from a sinus condition, which is causing the headaches. 

"You’ll feel a deep and constant pain in your cheekbones, forehead or the bridge of your nose. The pain usually gets stronger when you move your head suddenly or strain," according to WebMD. "At the same time, you might have other sinus symptoms, such as a runny nose, feeling of fullness in your ears, fever or swelling in your face."

Ditto says that another common indicator that a patient might have a sinus problem is tooth pain. 

"The reason why the teeth hurt is because the nerve that innervates the face with sensation is the fifth cranial nerve. It's the nerve that you feel when you touch your forehead, your cheeks and your jaw," Ditto said. "And so, when the sinuses are blocked and you get that pressure in your teeth, that is because the pressure is causing irritation to the nerves."

Those who are experiencing the symptoms associated with sinus infections, pain and headaches are encouraged to take the Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz to assess whether you might benefit from a visit to the doctor.