Why Do Colds Cause Headaches?

Adults get an average of two to four colds per year. Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, congestion, and fatigue. You may not immediately think of a headache as a cold symptom, but many people get a headache at some point during the week or so that it takes for a cold to run its course. 

This symptom has received very little attention from researchers. But often, headaches that occur with colds result from swelling in the sinuses.

This article explains the common causes of cold-related headaches and what you can do about them.

How Colds Affect Your Sinuses

Your sinuses are a collection of cavities behind your cheeks, nose, and eyes. They produce mucus to keep your nasal passages moist and to help rid the area of dust, micro-organisms, and other substances that shouldn't be there.

When you get a cold, the virus enters your sinuses, and your body starts producing mucus in an attempt to wash it out. As mucus builds up, the sinuses get irritated and inflamed.

Is It a Sinus Headache?

The nasal passage swelling and inflammation accompanying colds can sometimes cause very painful headaches. Often, these sinus headaches are worse when you lean over or when you wake up in the morning.

Sinus headache symptoms include:

• Pressure and pain in the forehead
• Pressure and pain behind the cheeks and eyes
• Pain that is worse on bending or lying down

In some cases, the inflamed sinuses pressure the trigeminal nerve (the fifth cranial nerve). This pressure causes pain behind the face. It can also cause nasal congestion.

In addition to colds, allergies, and any illness that causes sinus congestion, can cause a sinus headache.

Is It a Migraine?

Some research suggests that a more significant percentage of headaches that show up without acute inflammation are not sinus headaches at all but migraines. However, it's easy to confuse the two. That's because the location of the pain is often similar, as a migraine can also irritate the trigeminal nerve.

Research also suggests that chronic sinus problems and migraines may have a complex relationship. These are sometimes comorbid conditions (when a person has two or more health conditions at once), with ongoing sinus pressure leading to migraines through trigeminal nerve irritation.

If you frequently get what you think are sinus headaches (with or without a cold), ask a healthcare provider if they could be migraines. Knowing which kind of headache you have can help you find better relief.

Treating Cold-related Headaches

Most of the time, when colds cause headaches, they will go away once you've recovered from the cold. In the meantime, you may find relief from over-the-counter (OTC) medications or other treatments to relieve sinus pressure.

Fluids

Drinking a lot of fluids is essential when you have a headache. Staying hydrated and drinking even more water than you typically do will help thin the mucus, so it drains out of your sinuses. 

In addition, some people find relief using sinus rinses. For example, try using a Neti pot or squeeze bottle to rinse the nose. Or maybe you prefer saline nasal sprays. These products work by clearing out your nasal passages, so the mucus drains more easily.

OTC Pain Medication

OTC pain medications are good options for relieving headache pain. Headache pain relievers include:

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Naproxen (Aleve)
• Aspirin

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin are often more effective than acetaminophen because they are anti-inflammatories and help reduce swelling. 

Expectorant and Decongestants

Another option is to take an expectorant or decongestant to help the mucus drain and relieve the pressure in your sinuses. For some people, this can make a big difference with the headache.

Steam

Running a humidifier—especially when you are sleeping at night—helps moisten your airways, thin the mucus, and allows you to breathe more easily. 

If you don't have a humidifier, you can inhale steam by running a hot shower and sitting in a steamy bathroom, Alternately, you can lean over a steaming pot of water. With the latter, be very careful not to burn yourself. In addition, putting a warm compress on your face can be soothing and help loosen congestion.

When to See a Doctor

As always, if you are concerned about your headache or feel like it may not be related to your cold, contact a healthcare provider. Headaches that are severe or come on suddenly can be an emergency. In these cases, you should seek medical attention right away. 

Also, see a healthcare provider for a headache if it is accompanied by:

• A stiff neck
• Vomiting
• Numbness or tingling in the arms
  

Summary

Headaches commonly occur with colds. That's because sinuses often become inflamed, irritated, and congested, leading to head and facial pain. Treating cold-related headaches involves providing pain relief and treating congestion. Usually, OTC pain medications, decongestants, and expectorants do the trick. Other methods for relief include fluids, nasal rinses, steam, and warm compresses.