What is the difference between migraine and sinus headache

Check Your Nose Your mucus can tell you a lot about what kinds of battles your body is facing, and headaches are no exception. Nausea While suffering from sinusitis certainly has you feeling less than percent, such severe reactions as nausea and vomiting are not likely to be part of a major sinus infection. Sensory Sensitivity The most distinguishing difference between a migraine and a sinus headache is the heightened sensitivity to light and sound that attends a migraine. Going Forward If your terrible headaches come with thick mucus but no nausea, and send you to bed without reaching to unplug anything that makes a sound, your headaches are likely the result of chronic sinus infections.

Posted in: Blog. Request An Appointment. Allergist ENT. Year This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Book Online Book Now. Request Appointment You're also wondering how to actually treat it. Either way, it's a severe headache and it's the last thing you want to be dealing with right now. The two types of headaches have a lot in common.

This study concluded many people who thought that they had sinusitus a. When patients thought that their headache was sinus related, the overwhelming majority had a migraine. Interestingly, in that same study, when primary care physicians thought that they had sinus headaches, again the majority had a migraine. This emphasizes just how common it is for migraines to be misdiagnosed as sinus headaches, even by doctors. They both often are associated with swelling of the nasal membranes.

That is why patients and even doctors may confuse the two. However, there are many differences between sinus and migraine headaches.

While sinus headaches are caused by a viral or bacterial infection, the cause of migraine headaches is, in large part, unknown. It involves a complex interplay between nerves, brain tissue, blood vessels, and brain chemicals.

What makes it so complex is that in addition to the cause being unknown, they can be triggered by almost anything, from red wine, to bright lights, to not getting enough sleep one night more on migraine triggers here. These are only seen with sinus headaches on very rare occasions.

On the flip side, migraine headaches are typically not associated with thick discolored nasal discharge or fever. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.

We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. An Overview of Migraine Without Aura. Migraine Nausea Vomiting Thin, clear nasal discharge Aversion to strong odors Sensitivity to light and sounds Ear or upper tooth pain. Migraine Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions.

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Related Articles. What Are the Symptoms of a Headache? Why Do Sinus Infections Happen? Can Children Take Excedrin Migraine? Everything You Need to Know. Infections That Cause Headaches and a Fever.