How Changes in Weather Affects Sinuses

Can you predict the weather by how your sinuses feel? People who suffer from sinus issues, especially those with chronic conditions, can sometimes detect changes in weather patterns before the rest of us can read the latest forecast. “Changes in barometric pressure cause pain for people who suffer from sinusitis,” noted a CNN report. Early awareness of shifts in the weather is not much of a reward for the pain and discomfort you experience because of irritated sinuses, though.People who experience nasal congestion for lengthy periods because of nonallergic rhinitis can wind up getting a full-fledged case of sinusitis. When the membrane lining the sinuses gets infected or becomes inflamed, the result is painful sinusitis. People who regularly have sinusitis risk lowering productivity at work or at school, sometimes having to take time away from their duties to seek medical intervention.

Understanding How Weather Affects Sinuses

You probably know first-hand how weather affects sinuses. Researches have discovered that “temperature or humidity changes can trigger the membranes inside your nose to swell and cause a runny or stuffy nose,” according to the Mayo Clinic.Nonallergic rhinitis, that is, rhinitis that is not triggered by an allergen such as pollen, can flare up without warning when the weather patterns are unpredictable.Those who suffer from rhinitis may not understand why it is happening, because “unlike allergic rhinitis, nonallergic rhinitis can be brought on by sudden changes in temperature and humidity,” according to WebMD. “People with nonallergic rhinitis would test negative for any specific allergies.” So if your primary care provider gave you allergy tests and couldn’t detect the cause, there is a likelihood that weather changes are the culprit in your case, leading to inflamed and irritated sinuses.One reason people confuse allergic rhinitis with rhinitis linked to weather changes is that the two conditions tend to happen annually during roughly the same period. But patients who are unaware of the different causes can wind up wasting money and time using over-the-counter antihistamines, wondering why they are not getting any relief.

Is Your Current Treatment Plan Working?

If the methods you use to combat painful sinus changes have not proven fruitful, it’s time to reevaluate your approach. For example, the Mayo Clinic reminds sinusitis sufferers to avoid overusing nasal decongestants, since taking them for more than a few days in a row can wind up exacerbating your symptoms. It’s best to visit a doctor to find a better solution for your particular situation.

Help For People Bothered By Sinus Problems From the Weather

Tired of putting up with the pain that comes with your sinuses during fluctuating weather patterns? If your methods to treat the discomfort aren’t doing the job, you should know that for many patients, balloon sinuplasty may be just what you’ve been looking for. This FDA-approved and minimally invasive procedure involves a surgeon inserting a balloon into the patient’s nasal cavities. Inflating the balloon actually causes it to reshape the nasal passages quite gently to deliver much-needed relief. If you would like to find out more about balloon sinuplasty or arrange an appointment, please connect with the American Sinus Institute today.