Dealing With Headaches

Did you know that one of the least frequent signs of a sinus infection is pain in your upper teeth? The most common sign of a sinus infection is a massive headache, because the swollen sinus passages press against every single part of your body. Sinus headaches are not fun, but usually can be sucessfully treated. Toothaches, well, that’s another story.

If you have pain in your lower jaw or lower set of teeth, then I’m sorry to say that you do have a toothache and will have to go to a competant dentist. But if it’s pain in your upper teeth, or upper jaw, then there is a possibility that you might not have to go to the dentist (which is is good news for those terrified of dentists’ offices, like me.)

Signs of a Sinus Infection

You don’t have to think very long to determine whether you have a sinus infection or sinusitis. You will usually have a multitude of problems that all add up to you feeling absolutely miserable. You may have a few or all of the following signs and symptoms:

• A killer headache
• Very sore throat
• Constant stuffy and/or runny nose
• A constant trickle of mucus in the back of your throat, which leads to
• Persistant nausea and sometimes vomiting
• Since your taste buds are coated with mucus, most food will taste really peculiar
• Tenderness all about your face, making you very senitive to any kind of contact, even pleasant contacts like kissing, or sleeping on your side.
• Sore upper jaw or upper teeth

If you don’t have any other problems other than a toothache in the upper jaw, get to the dentist for X-rays. It could be an abcess, peridontal disease or a result of you grinding your teeth in your sleep (which often happens to those experiencing caffeine withdrawal).

What To Do

If you’ve never had sinusitis before, you really should go to the doctor for a proper diagnosis and also to see if you need perscription medicines. If, however, sinusitis visits you on a regular basics, you learn how to self-medicate. By treating the sinusitis, you treat the sinus headache and the upper toothache(s).

Self-medications include steam inhalations, drinking plenty of clear fluids (not dehydrating beverages like coffee or alcohol), over the counter decongestants and rest. Rest could include watching television that doesn’t make you think, but distracts you from the pain.

Could You Have Both?

There is a very slight chance that you could have both a sinus infection and a toothache. Not fair, is it? Misery should only be confined to one body part at a time. But, as noted many times in this blog, life is rarely fair. However, both sinus infections (including sinus headaches) and pain in the upper jaw or teeth are treatable, and sometimes you get access to amazing (and legal) painkillers.

Hope this helps.