What time of year are sinus infections common?

Fall is a common time of year for sinus infections due to types of seasonal pollen like ragweed, HVAC systems and the start to school, where viruses are more easily passed from one person to another. Allergies cause sinus infections by increasing inflammation and swelling inside the nose.

What time of year is sinusitis worse?

You probably don't associate sinus infections with wintertime, but for the 37 million Americans who experience them every year, there is no such thing as the “offseason.” In fact, sinus symptoms are often worse in the winter months.

Can sinus infections be seasonal?

Seasonal Sinus Problems

During changing seasons, the humidity in the air drops and rises. This leaves the nasal passages dry and the sinuses susceptible to infection. Infection often leads to swelling, which thwarts mucus from draining properly. This backup is what causes sinus pressure and pain.

What are the 4 main symptoms of sinusitis?

Drainage down the back of the throat (postnasal drainage) Blocked or stuffy (congested) nose causing difficulty breathing through your nose. Pain, tenderness and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead. Reduced sense of smell and taste.

What climate is best for sinus problems?

A crisp, cool day with a slight breeze and no dust, molds, pollens, or pollutants is the ideal weather if you suffer from sinusitis. Highly humid days with atmospheric inversions are terrible, because these atmospheric layers can cause pollutants and smog to become trapped and build up.

Differences between allergies, colds and sinus infections

What is the fastest way to get rid of a sinus infection?

What should be avoided during sinusitis?

Avoid dairy if you have had previous episodes of sinus infections. Also, try to avoid refined sugar as it is pro-inflammatory and increases the production of mucus. Other foods to avoid include tomatoes (contain histamines), chocolate, cheese, gluten, and fruits like bananas, which can cause congestion.

What is mistaken for a sinus infection?

The symptoms of sinusitis are not unique to the disease itself. Other disease processes can mimic sinusitis including the common cold, allergies, migraine headache, chronic daily headache, myofascial pain, temporomandibular joint or jaw pain, rhinitis medicamentosa, and even sleep apnea.

What can trigger sinusitis?

Does blowing nose make congestion worse?

But in a new study, they have found that doing so may actually make a cold worse, because the blow propels mucus into the nasal sinuses. Blowing one's nose creates a significant amount of pressure, according to Jack M.

How do you tell if it's allergies or sinus infection?

One of the best ways to distinguish allergies from a sinus infection is itchy, watery eyes. Eye itchiness is very rarely a symptom of a sinus infection. Additionally, allergies rarely produce thick green or yellow nasal discharge, like a sinus infection almost always does.

How long do typical sinus infections last?

An “acute” sinus infection lasts anywhere from ten days up to eight weeks. A “chronic” infection lasts even longer. It is ongoing — it may seem like it's improving, and then it comes right back as bad as it was at first. Chronic sinus infections may drag on for months at a time.

What foods help sinus infections?

Vitamins and minerals — Colorful fruits and vegetables — like apricots, cantaloupe, strawberries, red and green peppers, kale, parsley and broccoli — get high praise from the scientists working on sinus healers world-wide. They contain lots of vitamin C which is known to fend off colds, allergies and sinus infections.

Is fresh air good for sinus infection?

Try to breathe in clean, fresh air. This will be the best for your sinuses and your recovery.

How long does it take for sinusitis to clear up?

Sinusitis is swelling of the sinuses, usually caused by an infection. It's common and usually clears up on its own within 2 to 3 weeks. But medicines can help if it's taking a long time to go away.

Does cold air help sinus infection?

Keep your Air Humid

A temperature drop in the winter can result in cold, dry air outside, and heated air inside. The combination of these can dry out your sinuses, resulting in thickening mucus and congestion. This can also result in pain and pressure in the sinuses.

Is sinusitis linked to stress?

Stress can absolutely trigger sinus issues. How does Stress cause Sinus Problems? Prolonged stress is known to weaken the immune system, making us all more susceptible to a host of diseases. And for sinus sufferers, you become even more vulnerable to common sinus irritants like dust and allergens.

What are the stages of a sinus infection?

Does stress cause sinus infections?

Stress and anxiety can affect your sinuses indirectly by increasing your susceptibility to a range of health issues that, in turn, worsen your sinus problems. Sustained stress can weaken your body's immune system, making you more vulnerable to the effects of allergens, as well as germs, bacteria, viruses, infections.

How do I know if I need antibiotic for sinus infection?

Do I need antibiotics for a sinus infection?

Typically, antibiotics are needed when: Sinus infection symptoms last over a week. Symptoms worsen after starting to get better. Sinusitis symptoms are severe (high fever, skin infection or rash, extreme pain or tenderness around the eyes or nose)

What is the difference between sinusitis and a sinus infection?

Bacteria: Sinus buildup due to a cold or allergies can create a breeding ground for bacteria, which in turn can cause bacterial sinusitis. Note that bacterial sinusitis, sinusitis, and a sinus infection are simply different terms for the same condition.

What makes a sinus infection worse?

Dry air isn't the only thing that can irritate your nose and make your sinusitis symptoms worse. Inhaling cigarette smoke, strong perfumes, pollutants or any airborne allergen that affects you can lead to further inflammation and greater sinus pressure. If you're a smoker, don't smoke when you have a sinus infection.

How should you sleep to avoid a sinus infection?

The best sleeping position for sinus drainage problems and other sinus issues is to sleep with your head propped up. Sleeping with your head propped up will help gravity naturally drain your sinuses and reduce the chance of excessive blood flow that can develop sinus congestion.

Does blowing nose help sinus infection?

Avoid blowing your nose – Many medical experts feel that blowing your nose causes the bacteria that normally live in your nose to be propelled into the sinus chambers. The sinus inflammation prevents the bacteria from being swept out by normal cleansing, which can lead to more significant bacterial sinus infection.