Gateway Reporter

• Common symptoms of sinus infections are nasal congestion, headaches, coughing, discomfort, nasal drainage, or facial pain.
• Sinus headaches can cause facial pain. 
• Symptoms of chronic sinusitis can be treated by addressing the sinus infection through medication or a surgical procedure like balloon sinuplasty.

Facial pain, one of the most common symptoms of chronic sinusitis, is an uncomfortable condition that can lead to other unfortunate side effects. According to Dr. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free, balloon sinuplasty is a procedure that could treat this ailment.

“To prevent facial pain, we need to treat the sinus opening and that's where balloon sinuplasty is very effective,” Dr. Ditto told the Gateway Reporter. “Because you can then open that ostium if it's obstructed, allowing proper ventilation and pressure equalization.”

According to WebMD, approximately 90% of adults diagnosed with acute sinusitis in the United States, characterized by a sinus infection lasting less than four weeks, are prescribed antibiotics. A sinus infection lasting longer than 12 weeks is categorized as chronic sinusitis.

With acute sinusitis, it might be difficult to breathe through your nose, according to the Mayo Clinic. The area around your eyes and face might feel swollen, and you might have throbbing facial pain or a headache.

Both migraine attacks and sinus headaches can cause facial pain, watery eyes, and post-nasal drip, according to the American Migraine Foundation. These shared symptoms contribute to the misdiagnosis and self-diagnosis of sinus headaches.

According to NHS Inform, individuals experiencing symptoms lasting for over one week are advised to consult a physician. An Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist may suggest using a saline solution, over-the-counter medication, or prescribe antibiotics or a corticosteroid spray. If these treatments fail to alleviate the symptoms of sinusitis, the ENT specialist may also advise sinus surgery.

According to Richmond Breathe Free's website, Dr. John Ditto received his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, where he earned recognition for his research efforts. He then went on to receive specialized training in ear, nose, and throat disorders at the University of Michigan's department of otolaryngology head and neck surgery.