PHX Reporter

Doctors are recommending that patients who suffer from sinus headaches should consider balloon sinuplasty for the relief of their symptoms.

According to WebMD, the sinuses are air-filled spaces inside the forehead, cheekbones and behind the bridge of the nose. When sinuses become inflamed – often as a result of an allergic reaction or infection – they swell, make more mucus and the draining channels get blocked, causing a buildup of pressure in the sinuses that feels like a headache.

"It may be a surprise to some people, but your ear, in fact, is a part of your sinus anatomy," Dr. John Stewart at Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told PHX Reporter. "The definition of a sinus is a mucous membrane lined cavity, with a valve, that drains into the nose. Your Eustachian tube is a mucous membrane lined cavity, has a valve, and connects your middle ear to your nose. Eustachian tube dysfunction can occur due to untreated, chronic sinusitis and can cause symptoms such as pain, pressure and fullness in one or both ears."

Sinus headaches feel like the sinuses are infected, and the patient might feel pressure around the eyes and forehead, according to Mayo Clinic. If the headache gets worse when the person bends over or lays down, that would be an indication of a sinus headache.

"Sinusitis by definition is inflammation of the sinuses, this is important to note as inflammation of the sinuses becomes chronic it makes it more challenging for sinuses to function optimally," Diana Ruiloba, a physician assistant at Arizona Breathe Free, told PHX Reporter. "Over time chronic sinusitis can lead to a lack of functionality, which leads to persistent symptoms of nasal obstruction, facial pressure/pain, and posterior nasal drainage. These persistent symptoms then begin to affect quality of life."

Balloon sinuplasty is a newer type of surgery that is minimally invasive and offers quick patient recovery periods, according to WebMD. The procedure involves inserting a thin tube into the patient's nasal passage and inflating it to open up the passageways, helping them drain more effectively. The procedure has also been shown to reduce the symptoms of sinusitis, which include sniffling, sneezing and congestion.

It's important for patients to figure out what kind of headache they have in order to choose the best course of action to relieve pain. If you think you might benefit from seeing a doctor, take this online sinus quiz.