How to Prevent Winter Sinus Problems?

Dr.Abhinit Kumar, 4 mins read

As winter is approaching, you may have started rearranging your wardrobe with cosy clothes on top and started preparing hill vacation plans with your friends. But what about diseases? Are you prepared for this? If your answer is no, you should do this preparation from now onwards.

Sinuses are empty spaces present inside facial bones around the nose.

There are many morbidities that come along with winter. One such condition is sinus problem. This medical condition, also known as sinusitis or rhinosinusitis, occurs when the nasal cavity and sinus get inflamed, swollen, and infected. Fluid buildup in the sinuses (air-filled spaces in the skull) acts as a breeding ground for germs, which is conducive to sinus infection. 

The main culprits of sinus infection are the allergens, like pollutants, molds, pollen grains, etc. When these agents enter our body through the nasal passage, our body treats them as invaders and releases histamine to fight against them. This results in allergic symptoms and causes a runny and stuffy nose.

Symptoms of Sinus

• Stuffy and runny nose
• Facial pain or pressure
• Bad breath
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Headache

10 Ways to Avert Winter Sinus Problems

• Clean Your Hand - Before and after cooking and eating food and after coming from outside, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to avoid entering the germ into your body.
• Clean Household Items - With time, dust and other harmful agents accumulate on rugs, carpets, countertops, furniture, faucets, mattress, pillows, and curtains. So, periodically clean them, Using a vacuum Cleaner or mopping.
• Stay Hydrated - We usually don’t feel thirsty in winter, even when the body requires water. This leads to dehydration and causes the nose to dry, which is a risk factor for sinus infection. Experts recommend drinking 2 liters of water each day to keep yourself hydrated.
• Keep Your Indoor Air Humid during the dry season (winter/summer) - A drop in temperature causes differences in outside and inside temperatures that can dry out the nose, resulting in congestion. To prevent this situation, humidify the indoor air. Use an efficient and portable room humidifier.
• Use Nasal Sprays - Preventing nasal passage congestion is the best way to avoid sinusitis. For this, you can use nasal sprays or pills that target inflammation in your nasal passages and curtails the swelling of blood vessels in your nose, which reduces stuffiness. However, don’t use a nasal spray on its own. Take the advice of doctor before using it.
• Wear a Mask - Whenever you step outside, don a mask to prevent pollutants and other agents from aggravating the sinus infection. This will also protect you from some other airborne diseases. It is usually recommended for people who are susceptible to allergic rhinosinusitis.
• Clean Your Nose - Use a neti pot (a container designed to rinse mucus or debris from nasal passage) or other nasal irrigation tools to flush out clogged sinuses and keep the nasal cavity open. This also helps keep the sinuses moisturized. Only use filtered, distilled, or boiled water for cleaning the Nose.
• Take Steam - It’s a traditional and very effective remedy. You can take a hot shower and steam to relieve sinus pressure and headaches. The combination of warmth and moisture soothes the irritation and helps clear a stuffy nose.
• Maintain a Balanced Diet - First off, refrain from smoking and alcohol. That’s because the lining of the nose, sinus, and lungs are the same. There are tiny cilia or tiny hair-like structures that prevent the entrance of any airborne particulate matter from entering the nasal passage. Smoking affects the working of cilia, thus causing the accumulation of airborne particulate matter in the nasal cavity. Alcohol, on the other hand, dehydrates the body, which is a risk factor for congestion in the nasal passage. 
  

  Eat healthy vegetables and fruits. You should eat berries, papaya, pineapple, sweet potatoes, kiwi, pumpkin, and other fruits and vegetables that are rich sources of antioxidants. That’s because antioxidants help fight against harmful radicals that can cause chronic sinusitis. In addition, include peppers in your food as they help soften the mucus for smooth flow and clear nasal congestion. Along with pepper, you can add garlic and ginger to your meal plan.

  Ginger exhibits anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, and antioxidant properties, which decrease swelling, discomfort, and pain, and speed up healing.

• Avoid Contact with a Sick Person - If you feel someone has cold and flu-like symptoms, avoid contact with them. Clean your hands with sanitizer after handshaking a sick person, and wear a mask. In case you are sick, always cover your mouth with a handkerchief and avoid large gatherings. And consult with a doctor.

Also, Read - Most Common Respiratory Problems in Winter Season