Monsoon Season’s Storming Impact on Sinuses

Monsoon season in Scottsdale is right around the corner. Do you know it can impact your travel, outdoor activities, and sinuses?

Characterized as June through September, monsoon season is when thunderstorms occur and are triggered by winds coming from the south rather than from the west. These winds impact multiple states, including Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and occasionally California, Nevada, and Texas.

Here’s a look at how these impending thunderstorms can impact your sinuses and how you can get ahead this summer.

How Monsoon Season Triggers Sinus Issues

During monsoon storms, sudden shifts in air pressure can lead to sinus discomfort. These changes create a pressure imbalance between your sinus cavities and the outside environment, which can cause inflammation, pain, and congestion.

Specific factors that lead to sinus pressure, congestion, and sinus infections include:

• Rapid humidity changes which can cause swelling in sinus membranes.
• Dust storms (haboobs) introduce fine particles irritating sinus passages.
• Mold and mildew trigger inflammation and thrive in warm, wet conditions post-rain.
• Pollen movement stirs up pollen from desert plants caused by high winds.

Digging Into Sinusitis

Sinusitis, otherwise known as a sinus infection, is an inflammation of the sinus lining and can manifest as a variety of symptoms, such as congestion, facial pain, pressure, headaches, and decreased sense of smell. It’s extremely common; 28.9 million people in the U.S. are reported to have sinusitis, according to the CDC. Sinusitis can be acute, arising suddenly, or chronic, lingering for weeks to months. Many people may not realize they are suffering from chronic sinusitis until symptoms become unmanageable, leaving them caught in a loop of discomfort, which is typically when they seek treatment.

Common symptoms of sinusitis include:

• Brain fog
• Facial pressure/pain
• Nasal congestion and stuffiness
• Thick nasal drainage
• Fatigue
• Decreased sense of smell
• Bad breath
• Cough, runny nose
• Headache
• Earache
• Sore throat
• Teeth pain

How Sinus & Allergy Wellness Center Can Help

It’s important to proactively seek care from a healthcare professional to ensure optimal sinus health during monsoon season and further understand how the two are connected. At Sinus & Allergy Wellness Center, we pride ourselves on providing comprehensive, patient-centered care. Our team of experts is well-versed in diagnosing and managing sinusitis, and we use the latest medical technology to provide practical, personalized treatments.

Dr. Gergits at Sinus & Allergy Wellness Center advises that if last year’s monsoon season was particularly difficult for you, consider starting a daily nasal steroid spray before June. This type of spray helps reduce inflammation in the nasal passages. Since the nasal mucous membranes are affected by irritants before the sinuses are, keeping them healthy can improve the spray’s effectiveness. Nasal steroid sprays act locally in the nose and are not absorbed into the bloodstream like oral medications, so you don’t need to worry about systemic side effects.

Other Tips for Sinus Management During Monsoon Season

Morning and night, use saline rinses to flush out allergens and reduce inflammation.

Although summertime brings outdoor activities, you may need to change your plans and stay indoors during dust storms. At home, make sure you’re using air purifiers and keeping your windows closed.

Before bed, you should shower to rinse off any allergens that collect throughout the day and linger on your hair, clothes, and skin.

Lastly, elevate your head at night to promote sinus drainage.

 Final Thoughts

 Monsoon season is coming quickly; without preparation, it can significantly worsen or trigger sinus issues.

If you notice your sinus symptoms worsening in the summertime, schedule an appointment with your allergy specialist before the monsoon season begins to stay safe from the storms.