Many people travel long distances during the holidays. Whether you’re flying, driving or taking the train, it’s essential to care for your sinus health during your journey to keep inflammation from ruining the destination.
Why Is Sinus Care Important During Travel?
Sudden temperature shifts, elevation changes, fluctuations in humidity and unfamiliar allergens can all stress your sinus tissues. If the tissues remain inflamed for too long or if the inflammation is severe, you might develop a persistent sinus infection.
How Do I Know if I’m Developing a Sinus Infection?
Common symptoms that you’re developing a sinus infection include:
- Congestion
- Facial pain
- Fever
- Tooth pain
- Postnasal drip (mucus at the back of the throat)
How Can I Keep My Sinuses Healthy?
Take the following steps to keep inflammation low and sinus comfort high:
- Drink plenty of fluid. This step is especially crucial if you’re drinking more alcohol than usual during the holidays. Aim for at least eight ounces of water a day and increase that number as your alcohol consumption rises or if you’re traveling by plane.
- Take allergy medication. New climates introduce us to new allergens. For example, if you’re driving down to SE Georgia, you may notice higher mold levels. Pack allergy medication to manage flare-ups before they lead to a sinus infection.
- Use saline nasal sprays. Saline sprays temporarily thin mucus to alleviate congestion and minimize your chance of a sinus infection. You can use the spray multiple times a day as long as the bottle’s instructions say it’s safe.
- Manage sinus barotrauma. You’ve probably heard of airplane ear, also called ear barotrauma, where your ear pops when trying to equalize pressure during a flight. The same thing can happen in the sinuses, also called aerosinusitis. Rapid elevation changes may cause a bloody nose, facial pain, headache or nasal congestion. During your flight, make an effort to breathe through your nose as much as possible to equalize the pressure between your sinuses and the surrounding environment. Staying hydrated and using nasal sprays can also help.
Clear sinuses are happy sinuses. If you experience frequent sinus infections, contact ENT of Georgia North to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists. We’ll help you breathe easier in the long run.
