Is There a Connection Between Chronic Headaches and Nasal Structure?

Most people experience a sinus headache at some point in their lives. Perhaps you had a cold, and the resulting blockage in your nasal passages caused the headache. It usually passes in a few days. 

If you’re getting headaches regularly, you might assume something else is at play. Don’t rule out your sinuses just yet, though. Your chronic headaches could have something to do with your sinus passageways.

Fortunately, Matthew W. Shawl, MD, can help. As an otolaryngologist, he has expertise in issues like sinusitis and deviated septums, both of which could be contributing to your chronic headaches. Visit Dr. Shawl at our New York City office in Union Square to figure out what’s behind your headaches.

Getting to the root of your headaches

If you have headaches on a regular basis, the most effective way to treat that pain is to figure out what’s causing it. That could be any number of things, including:

• Allergies
• Dehydration
• Migraines
• Medication overuse
• Stress

Talking with Dr. Shawl can help you hone in on the root cause of the headache. He can help you differentiate between migraine and sinus headache pain, for example. 

If you have nausea or aversion to bright lights, it might be a migraine. If the headache persists for several days, it could be a sinus problem. 

Dr. Shawl can also examine your nasal structure to see if any irregularities there could be contributing to your head pain. 

When nasal structure causes chronic headaches

There are a few ways that the shape of your nasal passages can cause headaches. 

First, you might have an issue with the alignment of the bone and cartilage that separates your nostrils. Medically, this is called a deviated septum. 

A lot of people have some misalignment here. If your septum is deviated enough, though, it can cause congestion, sinus inflammation, and headaches. You might have facial pain, too.

Even if your septum is aligned, other nasal structure irregularities could be a factor in your headaches. 

Some people develop growths in their nasal passages called polyps. While these aren’t dangerous in and of themselves, these growths can affect your nasal structure and cause sinusitis. That can result in headaches, facial pain, and even pain in your teeth. 

So, yes, your nasal structure can absolutely have a connection to your chronic headaches. If you’re living with regular headaches, it’s time to talk to a doctor so you can find out what’s behind them and then treat them. 

To figure out what’s going on —and, more importantly, to move toward some relief–schedule an appointment with Dr. Shawl. Call us or book your visit online today.