For most people, a change in the weather isn’t a big problem. It means changing their wardrobe and resetting their thermostat. However, for some unlucky individuals, a change in the weather can bring severe sinus problems and can even cause migraine headaches.Read on for tips on preventing weather-related sinus issues, as well as information on when the problem might require a visit to a specialist.

Determining the Cause of Sinus Problems: Weather vs. Allergens

Stuffiness, sneezing, and other problems can arise from different sources and understanding the culprit is essential in determining the correct treatment. Weather-related stuffiness and sneezing aren't caused by allergens; it’s called non-allergenic rhinitis.Temperature and humidity are often the triggers for this type of rhinitis, whereas allergic rhinitis is caused by allergens like pollen. Non-allergic rhinitis won’t respond to antihistamines because there isn’t an allergenic trigger.Taking a decongestant, rather than an antihistamine, can help clear up minor weather-related stuffiness and sneezing. Sufferers should speak to a doctor if a formal diagnosis hasn’t yet been made.

Barometric Pressure: Effects on Sinuses

Most people don’t think much about how barometric pressure might affect them, especially when they’re younger. However, as the body ages, it may become more susceptible to environmental triggers for pain. When the barometric pressure changes, it can cause changes to the way blood flows through the body, causing increased or decreased blood pressure, sinus pressure, and more.A change in barometric pressure may be responsible for increased instances of migraines and weather may cause changes so subtle that it’s difficult for sufferers or their physicians to discern the problem.Barometric pressure and sinuses also share connections that are not yet fully understood by the scientific or medical communities, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact changes that trigger migraines, stuffiness, changes in blood pressure, and more.Watching the weather for upcoming changes in the barometric pressure, and being aware of when those changes are taking place, can give sufferers a chance to head off problems and pains before they begin with a proactive, preventative approach as recommended by their physician.

Exploring Options for Relief: Medications & Medical Interventions

There are many decongestant and antihistamine remedies available in today’s pharmaceutical market. Some are effective, while others are less so. Whether or not medications will be effective depends on the type of problems being experienced, as well as their severity. Some of these issues are too severe and complex to be effectively treated with medications, and that’s where medical interventions come into play.A balloon sinuplasty treatment can help chronic sufferers without the painful traditional surgical procedures of cutting through nasal bone and tissue. Balloon sinuplasty allows a specialist to clear out the sinuses with no incisions. This means patients feel less pain and heal more quickly than with other types of sinus treatments.Anyone seeking relief from severe sinus problems may benefit from a consultation with the friendly professionals at the American Sinus Institute, where we employ the minimally-invasive Honrubia Technique in our balloon sinuplasty procedures. Please contact us today for more information.