ENT Health Blog
Sinus Headache vs Migraine: How to Tell the Difference
2026-07-07 6 min read
Many patients with recurring forehead or facial pain assume they have sinusitis, but migraine can present similarly. Correct diagnosis is key to effective treatment.
Features more suggestive of sinus headache
Sinus-related pain often occurs with nose block, thick nasal discharge, reduced smell, facial pressure, post-nasal drip, and symptoms worsening with upper respiratory infections.
Features more suggestive of migraine
Migraine may include throbbing pain, light or sound sensitivity, nausea, and episodic attacks without significant nasal inflammation. Some migraine patients still feel sinus-region pressure.
Role of ENT evaluation
ENT assessment with nasal endoscopy helps confirm if chronic sinusitis, DNS, turbinate hypertrophy, or polyps are driving symptoms. This avoids unnecessary medication and guides targeted care.
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