Ft Worth Times

• One of the most common misdiagnoses is chronic sinusitis and migraine
• The primary cause of migraine is still unknown
• 99% of patients were misdiagnosed at primary care or in the emergency room

Although migraines are often misdiagnosed and have similar symptoms to chronic sinusitis, strong and compelling evidence speculates that sinus problems can actually trigger migraines.

According to WebMD, a new study published in The Journal of Headache and Pain found that one of the most common misdiagnoses of migraines is sinusitis and vice versa, especially if there are affiliated symptoms such as sinus headache, dry sinus headache or a severe sinus headache. The study also concluded that out of 113 participants, 106 -- of them or roughly 81% -- were misdiagnosed.

“Everyone has a different level of propensity towards sinus problems, but sometimes when those things aren't treated well, they will progress to where it involves the ear, obviously, causing other problems as well," Dr. Monty Trimble of Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told Ft. Worth Times. "Whether it's headaches and other muscle pain, facial pain type issues, whether it's throat issues, whether it's sleep apnea type problems, seems like all of those things start with the nose and then they filter back." 

In many cases, both migraine attacks and sinus headaches can cause facial pain, watery eyes and postnasal drip, with shared symptoms that contribute to the misdiagnosis and self-diagnosis of sinus headaches, according to The American Migraine Foundation.

A study completed by the University of Michigan found that 99% of participants were misdiagnosed as having chronic sinusitis when their diagnosis came from the emergency department or their primary care physician, rather than an inflammation specialist.

While the root cause of migraine headaches is still unknown, one study from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the Gulhane Military Medical Academy in Turkey reported that further investigation and a clinical trial are still necessary to come to a conclusion. 

To learn more about sinusitis or to take a Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz, visit Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers.