There is new research just released which shows those who think they’re having sinus headaches might be having something more significant: a migraine!
There are many different forms a migraine can take. Sometimes the classic throbbing type migraine doesn’t happen; instead, the headache can mimic or have symptoms of others--in this case--the study shows the vast majority of those who think they have a sinus headache, in fact, have migraine.

The latest research, in the Archives of Internal Medicine, shows most who say they have either a self reported or physician diagnosed sinus headache--don’t. In fact, headache associated with acute, or recent sinusitis can occur, but is usually rare. If it is sinus headache, patients typically have other clinical signs and symptoms of sinusitis, such as a green or yellow nasal discharge, or fluid in the sinuses on xrays.
The truth is, sinus-associated symptoms, including, in order of frequency, sinus pressure, sinus pain, nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes and itchy nose, can occur—frequently-- with a migraine.
“ ,” says Dr.
In a 1999 study, 40% of patients meeting the criteria for migraine, or 11.1 million americans, reported a physician diagnosis of sinus headache. And nearly all patients--98 percent--with self-described sinus headache met official criteria for migraine.
In this study, among nearly 3000 patients with either self described or physician diagnosed migraine headache, 80 percent were re-diagnosed by experts as meeting criteria for a migraine diagnosis. Most--97 percent--said their headaches were severe and two-thirds said the headaches were not adequately treated.
No wonder.
“ ,” says Dr.
It’s estimated that half of the estimated 28 million individuals in the U.S. alone remain undiagnosed, and according to the authors of the study, it’s believed the variability in the way a migraine can present is a major reason.
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