For the last few years I have been suffering from periodic bouts of headaches. I will go through a period (weeks or even months) where I will get these headaches several times a week. Sometimes these headaches will last only a few hours but sometimes these headaches will last for days.
These headaches seem to be sinus related. The pain is centered primarily in the forehead around the eyes, but will also extend down below the eyes and up into the skull area several inches above the eyes. Rubbing and applying pressure to the afflicted areas will provide relief for a few minutes.
I have also had a lot of problems with sinus infections, sometimes as often as two per year. I tend to get a lot of drainage from my sinuses all year around, but it increases during the bouts with the headaches. In addition to the pain, there is also a feeling of pressure in the areas where the headache is centered. Also, during periods when I am suffering from these headaches I tend to feel very tired and fatigued.
My doctor has said that I suffer from allergies, although no testing has been done to confirm this. He told me to cut down on caffeine and prescribed clariton to help the sinuses drain. He has had routine blood tests done (including thyroid) and has found no irregularities. I do suffer from hypertension which is being treated with varapimil and zestoritic. The hypertension was originally suspected of being a possible cause, but it is now under control and this has not had any effect on either the frequency or intensity of the headaches.
The doctor does not seem to feel that these headaches are worth worrying about, but they hurt my ability to concentrate and severely reduce my productivity at work. I would like to have this problem evaluated further and am wondering what my next step should be.
Reply: --------------------------
I would first comment that Claritin does not "help the sinuses drain". This drug is an antihistamine designed to treat allergy. It does NOT promote "sinus drainage" and in fact is more likely to interfere with normal sinus drainage than it is to help it. This does not mean that it is not a worthwhile medication - it does provide symptom relief to many allergy sufferers (sneezing, watery nasal drainage, itching, etc.)- however it is not a medication that is efficacious in the treatment of sinusitis per se since it has a drying effect which is often counterproductive.
If a chronic headache condition is causing symptoms sufficient enought to disturb daily activities, then I would pursue a thorough evaluation. If headache symptoms seem to be associated with localized nasal or sinus symptoms such as nasal airway stuffiness, facial congestion, drainage down the back of one's throat, etc., then I would consult with and have an examination by an otolaryngologist who would likely then consider an allergy testing and possibly CT scan evaluation. If there are no consistent nasal or sinus symptoms present with each headache, then I would consult with a neurologist.
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
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