'Sinus Headache' May Be Migraine

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Do you suffer from what you think are sinus headaches on a regular basis? There are several possible things that are happening.

One is you're suffering from a chronic sinus infection. Another could be that you're fighting allergies. But there is another possible reason all together different. You could be having migraine headaches.

When most of us think of migraines, we think of a headache with an aura, a strange sensation, or perhaps a visual change. This can be followed by a strong headache that often leaves the sufferer looking for a dark, quiet room to ride it out.

But it does not always have to be that way. An aura does not occur in many people who have migraines and symptoms like runny nose, tearing, frequent attacks and a one-sided headache - easily confused with sinus symptoms - could actually be a migraine.

Diagnosing headaches is not as easy as it seems and definitely worth a trip to your doctor.