Do you suffer with sinus headaches? If your answer is yes, then you're familiar with the pain, pressure and drainage around your eyes and across your face and forehead. At Northwest Sinus Center in Bend, OR, Dr. Ryan Gallivan gets to the source of sinus headaches, or sinusitis, and helps patients feel better, function well and be free of pain and congestion.

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis happens when the air-filled passages within the front of the skull become inflamed after exposure to environmental irritants, allergies (pollen, pet dander), or viruses and bacteria. Resulting symptoms include:

• A sinus headache across the forehead, on either side of the nose and across the cheeks
• Yellow/green mucous
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Puffiness around the eyes and nose
• Toothaches in the upper teeth

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta says that almost 27 million American adults routinely suffer with sinusitis and its associated sinus headaches. At Northwest Sinus Center in Bend, your board-certified otolaryngologist, Dr. Ryan Gallivan, compassionately and accurately diagnoses and treats sinus headaches and the other problems associated with sinus inflammation. When you come to his office and describe your symptoms, he will perform a complete examination and formulate a treatment plan to heal any acute infection and help you manage recurring bouts of sinusitis.

Treating sinus headaches

Your ENT doctor can tell the difference between sinus headaches and other types of headaches, such as migraines. He often uses CT scanning or an MRI to uncover the underlying causes of sinus problems--things such as structural obstructions, polyps, a deviated septum, inflammation from allergies and more.

Treatment often includes healing of an acute episode of sinusitis with antibiotics and decongestants. Ongoing management of sinus headaches may consist of:

• Over-the-counter analgesics and decongestants
• Nasal irrigation (Neti pot) to remove irritants such as dust, pollen and bacteria
• Humidified air via a vaporizer (cool mist or steam)
• Hot and cold compresses to the affected areas
• Prescription decongestants and steroidal nasal sprays
• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Surgery to relieve obstructions (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery and highly-effective Balloon Sinuplasty, both performed by Dr. Gallivan in the office)

Find out more

If you are suffering with the debilitating pain, pressure, and congestion associated with sinus headaches, seek the best treatment in the Bend, OR, area. Call Northwest Sinus Center for an appointment with Dr. Ryan Gallivan, your board-certified otolaryngologist at (855) 746-8700.