Ashford Clinic Blog
Can Sudden Weather Changes impact Your Sinuses?
Does it seem like you experience sinus pain when the weather changes? Sudden changes can trigger chronic nasal congestion, sinus infections, headaches, and intense seasonal allergies. This is not uncommon, but there are things that you can do to find relief. Let's take a look at what causes these symptoms and what you can do to counteract them.
Dry Air
High humidity can trigger mold allergies, but dry air can also be a problem for your sinuses. Respiratory problems caused by dehydrated nasal passages can lead to damaged cilia, decreased vitamin A levels, and sore throats. Dry air can also dry out your sinuses, making it more likely to attract bacteria. Those bacteria invasions can then lead to sinus infections. You can combat this by working to control your indoor climate - use a humidifier, keep surfaces clean, and make sure that your heating and cooling systems are cleaned and maintained. Saline nasal sprays can help when you can't control the air quality.
Barometric Pressure
Have you noticed weather forecasts mentioning high-pressure systems and low-pressure systems? Or maybe you’ve noticed “H” or “L” on your weather app. These refer to the barometric pressure, and that pressure can affect more than just the weather. Changes in pressure can cause changes in blood pressure, especially sudden changes. This can trigger sudden, painful sinus pressure, leading to sinus headaches and stuffiness.
Sudden Weather Changes and Seasonal Allergies
As you might have guessed, sudden barometric pressure changes often coincide with weather changes. A sudden thunderstorm can cause sinus pressure, and wind can stir up allergens. If you think that you might be having an allergy response but you aren’t sure, trying an over the counter antihistamine can help identify allergies. If your symptoms ease, it’s a good time to talk with your doctor about allergy testing. At the Ashford Clinic, we can prescribe allergy drops to help you find relief from your seasonal allergies.
Sudden weather changes can impact your sinuses, but you don’t have to be anxious every time you see a change in the sky.
