We all have those times where our nose is itchy and uncomfortable or where our sinuses feel dry and irritable. These kinds of discomfort are very common, but do you know what causes them?
There are so many different factors that could cause sinus discomfort. Some of them are minor things that you don’t need to worry about, and others are indications of a serious medical problem. Let’s look at some of them so that the next time your sinuses bother you, you will know if that is cause for concern or not.
Dry Weather
Dried out sinuses can be very irritating. They are itchy and feel raw, but there is plenty you can do to deal with the problem. Hydrating is the simplest way. You also want to protect your face from strong winds, as that dries out sinuses quickly.
Dry sinuses can result in nosebleeds, which can be dangerous for some people. In rarer but extreme cases, the dried sinuses can become infected and require medical treatment and even hospitalization. If the problem persists, you should consult an ENT in Singapore to find out how to have your dry sinuses treated.
Congestion
This is both a symptom and a cause of irritation. Congestion is typically caused by colds, flus and other viral infections, and the blockage can result in poor breathing. If you suffer from nasal blockages, you might have trouble sleeping, and you may feel like you lack energy because you are not getting enough oxygen through your nose.
You can also experience headaches as you try to deal with the blockage improperly. It is not uncommon for people to try to dislodge the blockage by blowing their nose. If they aren’t doing that gently, however, they can give themselves a headache.
Treating congestion effectively requires either time or flu medication. Most OTC medications used for treating colds and flus will work on congestion, but be sure that you choose one that specifies congestion treatment.
If the congestion persists, you will want to talk to your ENT specialist. There may be a larger issue at work than just a common cold or a mild flu.
Runny Nose
Another common symptoms of colds and flus, the runny nose isn’t as bad as some of the other irritations we have mentioned here, but it is a notable sinus problem that may require treatment. Too often, people will blow their nose too much, trying to get rid of the runny nose, and then they make their nose raw and irritated.
It’s better to treat these kinds of sinus issues with herbal teas, OTC medication, bedrest and vitamins. Blowing the nose will only help with the symptom and will entirely miss the root cause. If you want the runny nose to subside, you need to treat the infection behind it.
Infections
Some sinus infections are minor and will go away in a few days, while others need serious, targeted treatment in order to be handled properly. Like most kinds of sinus issues, if the problem persists for more than a few days, you should be talking to an ENT specialist.
Some viral infections simply come and go, leaving no lasting impression. You may hardly even remember that you felt bad and needed some medication for the problem. Others can cause lasting damage, affecting your sense of smell, hearing, and lung capacity.
A specialist can identify what is causing the infection and how serious it is. Some infections need to be treated so that they do not create major health issues.
Pay Attention to Your Sinuses
Your sinuses do a great job of telling you what your body is up to. Often, the sinuses are used to fight infections and diseases, so one of the first indicators you will have of a medical problem in your body is the way the sinuses are reacting.
Your sinuses can tell you if your body is dehydrated, if you have a fluid buildup in the lungs, or if you have any number of common viral infections. A trained ENT specialist will be able examine your sinus and quickly tell you what is wrong with you, in most instances. You don’t have to wonder and struggle to figure it out for yourself. You can get the answers you are looking for and find out if the problem is serious or if you don’t have to worry about it.
You don’t want to ignore your sinuses, though. They are often trying to tell you about the condition of the rest of your body, and often health problems deep inside will be indicated by your sinus activity. Remember that if you are experiencing persistent symptoms, then you should consult an expert and be medically diagnosed to determine a treatment method.
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