Can Hot Weather Cause Sinus Problems?

Sinusitis is a condition where you experience irritation and swelling of your sinuses. Allergies and sinus problems are common during the warmer seasons.

Allergiesand sinus problems are common during the warmer seasons. A reason for this is that plants releasepollenin the spring, summer, and fall. Peopleallergicto pollen may experience symptoms similar to acoldduring these seasons. However, a cold orfluwill usually not last longer than 2 weeks, whileallergies可以last 6 weeks or longer — depending on the cause of yourallergic reaction.

Depending on where you live, another cause of summer sinus problems is the hot and dry air, which can irritate your sinuses and lead to asinus infection— orsinusitis.

Sinusitisis a condition where you experience irritation and swelling of your sinuses.

Paranasal sinuses are air pockets in your face near your nose. They trap bacteria usingmucus, filter the air you breathe in, and even determine how you sound when you talk.

Sinusitis may be caused by a viral or bacterial infection or an allergic reaction. An example of viral sinusitis is when you have a cold and your sinuses are inflamed. Bacterial sinusitis can also happen during a cold or an allergic reaction. In either case, a stuffy nose prevents sinus drainage — leading to trapped bacteria and inflamed sinuses.

The difference between bacterial and viral sinusitis is that bacterial sinusitis is more likely to make you feel sicker. Bacterial sinusitis usually causes more facial swelling andpainthan viral sinusitis and you may even have afeverwith a bacterial sinus infection.

Sinusitis is also classified according to how long it lasts:

• Acute sinusitis— A sinus infection that lasts no more than 4 weeks.
• Subacute sinusitis— A sinus infection that lasts from 4 to 12 weeks.
• Chronic sinusitis— A more severe sinus infection that lasts over 12 weeks — sometimes even years.
• Recurrent sinusitis.A sinus infection that occurs several times in the same year.

Sinusitis inflammation may also occur as a result of:

• Structural deformities of the nose
• A tooth infection
• Indirect smoke
• Adenoid enlargement
• Swimmingor diving
• Foreign objects in the nose
• Injury to the nose

Sinusitis is common and easy to identify. Age can impact the symptoms you experience.

Children with sinusitis may show:

• Arunningnose for 7 to 10 days — with a thick clear, yellow, or green discharge
• Swollen eyes
• Nightcoughs
• Occasionalcoughingduring the day

In adults and older children, the following may be seen:

• Cold symptoms or arunny nosefor 7 to 10 days
• Bad breath
• Headache
• Fever
• Facialpain
• Sore throat
• Coughing
• 肿胀的眼睛,尤其是在早上
• Postnasal drip

In some cases, your condition may get worse, and you may need to visit a licensed healthcare professional. Visit your doctor right away if you have:

• Changes in your vision
• Excessive pain and pressure on your face
• A high fever
• Breathlessness
• Stiff neck
• Reddened or swollen eyes (one or both)
• Problems with thinking

When deciding what treatment method is right for you, your doctor will consider:

• Your age
• Your medical history and current health situation
• The severity of your condition
• Your ability to handle some medications, therapies, or medical procedures
• Your preferences
• How long your symptoms are expected to last

Possible treatments may include:

• Nasal irrigation— Rinsing your nose with warm, salty water using a rinse bottle or a container with a spout.
• Steaminhalation— Inhaling hot steam through your nose three or four times a day. Each session should take about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Oral steroids— Your doctor may prescribe oral steroids when other medications haven’t worked for you or when you have a severe case of sinusitis.
• Nasal sprays— Nasal sprays contain steroid medication that reduces swelling. Make sure you read the usage instructions to avoid unwanted side effects.
• Antibiotic medications— Antibiotics can be useful when treating a sinus infection caused by trapped bacteria. When taking antibiotics, make sure you are following the instructions on your prescription.

In addition to pollen and hot, dry air, other factors that may increase your chances of getting sinusitis include:

• Asthma
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)
• Overusing anasal decongestant
• Swimming and diving regularly
• High altitudes
• Pregnancy
• Nose conditions that cause swelling or abnormality
• Mouth infections
• Smokingor inhaling air pollutants
• Hospitalization due to ahead injury