Changes in Barametric Pressure, Temperature and Humidity can Cause Sinus Headaches

Many people are affected by sinus headaches. 

Especially in Central Texas where there are big changes in barometric pressure, temperature, and humidity over short time intervals. 

This pressure headache occurs because the sinus cavities that surround the eyes have narrow outflow tracks. With a little allergy swelling that outflow track can be blocked. 

When the sinus cavity cannot ventilate and equilibrate with the nose it will have a build up of pressure. This pressure can cause headache, visual changes, congestion, and can start migraines. 

Allergy medicines such as antihistamines, decongestants, and allergy nasal sprays can be effective for many patients to relieve these complaints. (For more information, click here)

Surgical therapy was the next step in the past if medical therapy failed. Fortunately gentle sinus balloon dilation can now be performed as a simple office procedure. This can relieve these complaints permanently and allow patients to avoid all of the constant medicines. 

Daniel P Slaughter, MD

Watch Out for RAGWEED!

Texas is known as one of the allergy capitals of the US. One of our main allergens, ragweed, is presently in full bloom. The pollination of ragweed occurs nearly the same time each year and lasts from mid-August through November or until the first frost.

Ragweed allergy symptoms include sneezing; runny or stuffy nose; itchy throat or inside of ears; hives; and swollen eyelids and itchy eyes. This is often called hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis. Some people also develop asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and trouble breathing.

People who are allergic to ragweed often have a cross reactivity to certain foods.  Ragweed sufferers may feel a tingling or burning in their mouths after they eat cantaloupe, honeydew melon, watermelon, or bananas. These fruits can cause these symptoms at any time but especially during ragweed season.

Tips for controlling ragweed exposure:

• Wash your hands after being outside
•  Limit your time outdoors when ragweed counts are high – especially in the morning
•  Wear a dust mask when you need to do outdoor tasks
• Don’t wear your outdoor work clothes in the house
• Use a clothes dryer rather than outdoor clothes lines
• The windows in your home and car should be kept closed at all times
• Clean and replace air conditioner filters using HEPA filters

Medications to prevent or treat symptoms

• Antihistamines taken daily will reduce overall allergy symptoms
• Nasal steroids will reduce nasal symptoms
• Nasal saline will rinse pollen from the nasal cavity
• Decongestants will reduce overall allergy inflammation or swelling
• A steroid shot administered by your physician can be given for severe symptoms

If symptoms persist despite the above recommendations, consider evaluation and possible allergy testing with an otolaryngologist. If allergy tests confirm ragweed sensitives, immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots or sublingual drops may be effective.  You may also be found to have a different problem all together such as chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, or septal deviation which can be effectively treated by an experienced otolaryngologist.

Zachary Wassmuth, MD

The future of sinus treatments has arrived

For three decades the mainstay of treatments for sinus disease had not really advanced.

Patients were treated with a combination of antibiotics and allergy medicines and if that failed sinus surgery was then recommended.

This sinus surgery is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia. It is an invasive procedure where surgery is performed to cut open and remove tissue that is blocking the sinus outflow tracts. It obviously involves risks of complications and scarring and could lead to significant pain and recovery time.

Over the last decade sinus surgeons have developed tiny sinus balloons that can be used to successfully cure the sinus infections. Instead of a surgery, this Balloon Sinuplasty can be performed in about 15 minutes in the physician's office with twighlight sedation and local anesthesia. It is virtually painless and has no significant downtime. Best of all, it offers a very high success rate both in the short term and long term. If you suffer from sinus complaints seek a consultation with an ENT surgeon with experience in Balloon Sinuplasty.

Daniel P Slaughter, MD

Center of Excellence Physician Balloon Sinuplasty Trainer for Entellus Medical

How does running affect my sinuses?

The Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail is full of our fellow Austinites enjoying all that our beautiful city has to offer. Although we may feel invigorated by the exercise our sinuses may be in for some real trouble after that exposure unless we know so tricks. 

Our respiratory rate increases and we have deep inspiration during outside exercise. The tiny allergens floating in the air are being inhaled repeatedly and are landing on the lining of our nose, sinuses, and lungs.  This allergy contact sets off a cascade of allergic responses that can initially produce sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, and coughing. In the hours to follow congestion and sinus pressure can become a real problem. 

There are many effective ways to reduce this response so you can enjoy the run without the aftermath. 

An over the counter oral antihistamine taken an hour before the run can be very effective. 

Topical nasal antihistamine sprays available by prescription taken and hour before are even more helpful. Topical nasal steroid sprays available over the counter won't help much with the initial sneezing stage but can reduce the congestion and sinus pressure if taken regularly during your allergy season.

Immunotherapy available as allergy shots and allergy drops can also be effective if taken in advance of the allergy season to build up an immunity to the allergen. New allergy dissolving tablets under the tongue are helpful for people sensitive to grasses and ragweed. 

Saline rinses available over the counter are also helpful after the run to wash off the allergen and reduce the allergic response. You might consider rinsing with a saline rinse during a hot shower after the run.

Using these strategies can make your running more successful and enjoyable. See you on the trail.

Dan Slaughter, MD

Flying and Sinus Problems

Sinus problems are bad enough with normal, weather-related, barometric pressure changes. On an airplane, the pressure changes are much faster, and can be quite painful. Most people think of ear problems related to flying, but sinus pain results from a similar problem. Like the ears, the sinuses have small drainage pathways into the nose which allow pressure changes in our environment to move in and out of the sinuses. When there is narrowing or a complete blockage, the pressure around us can be greater (or lesser) than the air pressure in our sinuses. Whenever there is a significant difference between the two pressures, we feel pressure or pain. The severity of the pain depends on the completeness of the blockage. A completely blocked sinus will usually elicit a very severe, knife-like pain in the involved sinus, called a sinus squeeze. Partial blockages tend to cause more of the deep, aching pain. The best way to prevent these problems is to use a topical decongestant, like Afrin, as well as Sudafed prior to flying with nasal congestion. If this is a recurrent problem, there is probably a permanent obstruction which should be evaluated by an ear nose and throat physician.

Christopher Thompson, MD