What is the Cause of Sinus Headaches?

QUESTION: Every time a get a slight cold, it seems as if my sinuses fill and
I develop a sinusitis. The pain is often very severe, and I have a headache
that won't quit. I've always wondered what caused this, and what treatments
are available to help me at times like these. Please explain.
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ANSWER: Although the diagnosis of sinusitis may be made too frequently by
patients who are merely suffering from a runny nose, you certainly have
symptoms that go with the ailment. The sinuses are actually cavities in the
skull, and we have four pairs of them. They are all lined with a tissue that
becomes swollen and produces a thick mucous when allergies or a common cold
strikes. The channels that provide drainage of these cavities into the back
of the nose become blocked, and the mucous backs up and becomes infected,
producing the condition known as sinusitis. And with that come the splitting
headaches, tenderness and pain. The usual first line of attack against this
infection are antibiotics, along with antihistamines to reduce the congestion
and pain medicines to alleviate the pain. Frequently this will suffice to
successfully control the condition, but when medical treatment fails, surgery
may be necessary. A new development in sinus surgery is Functional Endoscopic
Sinus Surgery, that utilizes a small telescope-like instrument to enlarge the
area where sinuses drain into the nose. It is a lot less traumatic than
previous surgical techniques and shortens the time of recovery. Sinuses lie
close to vital brain structures, and sinusitis can spread into these areas if
not treated properly or in time. If pain persists longer than 24 hours,
worsens, or fever develops, it's time to consult your family physician.