Could Headaches Be An ENT Problem?

“It feels like a thousand bombs are exploding inside my brain”, “It feels like someone is tightly squeezing my head” – these are some of the many ways people describe severe headaches. Although the words might differ when describing how we feel, when a headache occurs, it can give sleepless nights and restless days to almost anyone.

Mild or severe, most people experience headaches at some time or the other. It could be just a passing pain or a symptom of an underlying problem. The first thing you should know is that a headache is not really a pain in the brain. 

Amongst the various causes of headaches, ear, nose and throat issues are the major culprits. Let us take a look at five ENT problems that can result in severe headaches and will require you to visit an ENT specialist without further delay. Some common ENT problems that cause headaches are: 

Sinusitis
A sinus infection is a leading nasal problem that often leads to headaches. In India, a sinus infection is more widespread than coronary heart disease, diabetes or asthma. The Times of India has published in 2012 that 1 out of every 8 Indians suffers from chronic sinusitis, which surprisingly is more than the population of Japan! Debilitating headaches, nasal congestion, obstruction, and fever are the major symptoms of sinusitis. A person suffering from sinusitis usually experiences headaches at the same place every time. However, the location of a headache will depend on the kind of sinusitis the person is suffering from. A headache usually starts as they wake up and improves through the day.

Septal deviation
This is a physical disorder of the nose, which involves the displacement of the nasal septum. A deeply deviated septum can create health issues, with migraines and localized headaches being the most common problems. 

Neuralgic pains
These are the intense pain that feels like a sharp, jabbing, electric shock in the back of the head and neck. This aching, burning and throbbing pain, experienced on both sides of the head, can typically start from the base of the head and continue up the scalp. Neuralgic pain occurs mainly due to a damaged nerve anywhere in the body. However, such nerve damage is highly common in the face and neck.

Ear infections
According to an article published by The Hindu on December 25, 2017, ENT specialists in major hospitals across Bengaluru witnessed a nearly two-fold upsurge in ear infections that winter. Although an ear infection is painful in itself, what makes it worse is the intense one-sided pain it causes, which worsens when you press on the bone behind the ear.

If you are experiencing headaches similar to those mentioned above and feel that an ENT problem could be the cause, it is highly recommended to visit a specialist as soon as possible.