Sinus Headache? Getting the Right Diagnosis

First, you need to figure out the real cause of your headache pain. One study found that of 100 people who believed they had sinus headaches, almost 90% actually seemed to have migraine headaches. Only 3% had headaches that were clearly caused by sinusitis.
Why the confusion? First, the symptoms of different headache types have a lot of overlap. Second, headaches and the common cold -- the most common cause of sinusitis -- are both quite common. When a person happens to experience both at the same time, he or she might naturally assume that they’re connected when it could just be a coincidence.

Given the confusion, it’s crucial to get the right diagnosis. Why? The right treatment for a sinus headache may do nothing for a migraine -- and vice versa. Without the correct diagnosis, you won’t necessarily be able to relieve your pain.