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Suggest Treatment For Acute Sinusitis

Posted on Mon, 9 Feb 2015

Question: If below freezing temperatures (0 degress) cause severe pain in face, sinuses, and ears; is it better to stay inside to avoid making sinuses worse or should one go outside and push through the pain even though the cold makes sinuses worse afterwards? This may seem obvious to some, but I don't like to miss church services on Sunday and feel guilty when I don't feel like getting out in the cold. Sometimes I wonder if I am just being a wimp.

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Acute sinusitis...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query. I do understand your concern; I'll try my best to help you with this.

Sinuses do get blocked more during the winter season because of the congestion in the nasal mucosa. Mucosal congestion causes narrowing of the opening of the sinuses, thus blocking the ventilation and trapping the sinus secretions. The negative pressure thus created leads to headache and facial pain.

Secondly, in this age of yours, the glands of the nose and the sinuses get atrophied or shrunken. The atrophied glands cause dryness of the nose and add on to the above problem.

Do not worry! With appropriate measures and medications, this can be taken care of.

My suggestions to you are:
1. Drink plenty of warm water. Warm water re-hydrates the mucosa of the nose and the throat, thus reducing the irritation.
2. Do steam inhalation 3-4 times a day. Steam increases the blood supply to the nose and the sinuses, thus reducing the nasal congestion.
3. Use saline nasal spray (available OTC).
4. Try taking mucolytic such as ambroxol or bromhexine. Mucolytic medicine reduces the consistency of the nasal and sinus secretions and helps in easy clearance of the trapped secretions.
5. If you do not get better with the above medicines within 3-4 days, consult your doctor to start broad spectrum antibiotics.
6. Avoid coffee and smoking, if any.

Hope I have answered the query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (13 hours later)

While I have this condition, I failed to tell you I have fibromyalgia also which is reated to my sinus problems. Does getting out in cold weather (below freezing)
make my sinusitis worse or should I stay inside when possible?

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It would be better to stay indoors...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

Fibromyalgia worsens with stress. Exposure to cold weather is also a form of stress, hence, avoiding the same would be a wise idea. During inevitable circumstances you can cover the face with warm clothing or monkey cap. Once you come back home please do steam inhalation in order to relieve the nasal congestion and facial pain.

Hope this clarifies your doubts.

I wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (42 hours later)

Thank you so very much for your medical opinion.

Sincerely,

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Wish you good health and speedy recovery...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

I wish you good health and speedy recovery.

Regards

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju