If sinus infections brought you down last year, don’t let this problem continue into 2015. By following these five steps on how to avoid a sinus infection you will help keep your sinuses healthy, even in these illness-inducing winter months.
- Say no to cigarettes. Both smoking cigarettes and being around secondhand smoke can irritate the sinuses. Smoke and other air pollutants can cause swelling and congestion in the sinus system, and they can make allergies worse.
- Watch out for allergies. Speaking of allergies, they can cause sinus pain and discomfort. Even worse, if allergy symptoms are left untreated, they can escalate into a sinus infection. If you know you have allergies, treat them according to your doctor’s instructions. If you’re not sure on how to treat your allergies, schedule a consultation with your Doctor to see what’s the best course of action.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Water can be your sinuses’ best friend. Drinking enough aqua and other hydrating beverages can help keep mucus loose. On the reverse side, alcohol and caffeinated, dehydrating beverages are associated with sinus pain and pressure, so make mindful drink choices when you’re ill.
- Assess your medicine cabinet. Overmedication is one of the more common problems we see at our practice — when you’re feeling sick, it’s easy to walk down the pharmacy aisle and grab whatever over-the-counter medicine promises to make your symptoms stop. But if those medicines aren’t the right ones for you, they can cause more harm than good, simply masking symptoms rather than treating them. Ask your sinus doctor about your symptoms, and come up with a plan that’s tailored to you.
- Get regular checkups. Sinus problems and allergies can change over time. See your doctor regularly, even if it’s just for a checkup, to make sure you’re in the best possible health.
Ready to make 2015 a healthy year? Give our NYC sinus doctors a call to set up a personal consultation on how to avoid a sinus infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Smoking cigarettes and exposure to secondhand smoke can irritate the sinuses, causing swelling and congestion. This irritation can worsen allergies and increase the risk of sinus infections. Avoiding smoke is a crucial step in maintaining healthy sinuses.
Allergies can lead to sinus pain and discomfort, and if left untreated, may escalate into sinus infections. Proper allergy management according to a doctor's advice helps reduce inflammation and prevents infections from developing.
Staying well-hydrated helps keep mucus thin and loose, which promotes sinus drainage and reduces the risk of congestion and infection. Conversely, consuming dehydrating beverages like alcohol and caffeine can contribute to sinus pain and pressure.
Overmedication with inappropriate over-the-counter medicines can mask symptoms without addressing the underlying cause, potentially causing more harm. Consulting a sinus specialist helps create a tailored treatment plan that effectively targets your specific symptoms.
Regular checkups are recommended even when not experiencing symptoms because sinus problems and allergies can change over time. Routine visits ensure your sinus health is monitored and managed effectively to prevent complications.
If you're uncertain how to treat your allergies, scheduling a consultation with a doctor is important. A healthcare professional can provide personalized advice and treatment options to control allergy symptoms and prevent sinus infections.
Yes, lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, managing allergies properly, staying hydrated, and avoiding unnecessary medications can significantly improve sinus health and lower the chances of getting infections.