Sunshine Sentinel

• Sinus headache symptoms include facial swelling, feeling of fullness in the ears, fever and persistent facial pain.

• Migraines and sinus headaches have some things in common, but there is a difference between them.

• Balloon sinuplasty is a highly effective solution for chronic sinusitis.

For many sinus sufferers, it all starts in the face, a West Palm Beach-based sinus specialist said. Facial pain can be a clear sign of ongoing sinus conditions, Dr. Cody Aull of West Palm Beach Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told the Sunshine Sentinel.

"We talk about facial pain a lot, and the root cause of it usually has something to do with the sinuses," Aull said. "The pain itself is often from the nerves that go through the sinuses. We fix the sinuses, then work with the nerves to calm them down. So there's a multipronged approach to how we can take care of facial pain, sinus headaches, etc."

Aull, an otolaryngologist and former U.S. Navy flight surgeon -- who received his doctor of osteopathic medicine from the University of Health Sciences/Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri -- specializes in diagnosing and managing ear, nose, sinuses, throat and related conditions.

Inflamed sinuses, typically due to allergic reactions or infections, cause swelling and increased mucus production, and could even lead to blockage and poor drainage, according to WebMD. Buildup in the sinuses can cause headache-like pain and sinus headache symptoms such as facial swelling, a feeling of fullness in the ears, fever and constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead and/or the bridge of the nose.

Sinus headaches often are mistaken for migraines or tension headaches. Sinus headaches and migraines do share some symptoms, but symptoms unique to migraines include nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light, noise or smells, according to the American Migraine Foundation.

Sinusitis sufferers may be offered surgical treatment options, including endoscopy and balloon sinuplasty, according to WebMD. Balloon sinuplasty, a newer treatment, often is a good option for patients who don't require anything to be removed from the sinuses.

During a balloon sinuplasty, the physician inserts a thin tube with a small balloon attached to one end into the nose and then guides the balloon to the blocked area before inflating it. The inflated balloon helps clear the passageway, allowing sinuses to drain properly and alleviate congestion.

If you're experiencing sinus headaches or chronic sinusitis, please take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz provided by West Palm Beach Sinus & Allergy Centers.