Can sinusitis cause headaches and dizziness?

Generally, sinusitis often causes headaches during an episode, and some patients may experience dizziness as well, with symptom severity correlating to the degree of inflammation. If you have concerns, it is advisable to seek medical consultation promptly. Detailed analysis is as follows:

During an acute episode of sinusitis, mucosal congestion and swelling within the sinuses, along with accumulated secretions, can compress surrounding tissues and stimulate nerves, resulting in significant headaches. The location of pain typically corresponds to the affected sinus (for example, maxillary sinusitis causes pain in the cheek area). If inflammation impairs nasal airflow, leading to mild cerebral oxygen insufficiency, mild dizziness may also occur; these symptoms usually subside gradually once the inflammation resolves.

If sinusitis is mild or in a chronic stable phase, symptoms may be limited to nasal congestion and runny nose, with headache and dizziness either absent or occurring only occasionally. However, if chronic sinusitis repeatedly flares up acutely or sinus fluid remains trapped for a prolonged period, persistent dull pain or intermittent dizziness may develop. Without timely intervention, this can negatively impact daily functioning.

In daily life, it's important to prevent colds and minimize risk factors for sinusitis. If persistent headache or dizziness occurs alongside nasal congestion and purulent nasal discharge, prompt medical evaluation is recommended to determine the extent of inflammation and initiate targeted treatment, thereby preventing recurrent or worsening symptoms.