Singapore is a highly humid place and this can be bad news for people who suffer from sinusitis. The increased moisture in the air can cause bacteria, fungi, and mold to thrive, which are the common culprits in exacerbating symptoms of sinusitis. If your sinus acts up in a humid climate, you may want to see an ENT specialist in Singapore to find ways to effectively manage your condition and find relief.
In this article, we take a closer look at the various factors that influence sinusitis in humid climates and discover some methods on how to properly keep sinusitis symptoms under control.
Table of Contents
Sinusitis Overview
The sinuses are cavities in the skull that are filled with air, which connects to the nasal passages. When they become congested due to improper mucous drainage, the sinuses can become inflamed. This condition becomes an ideal environment for bacteria, fungi, or viruses to grow. When this happens, the lining of the sinuses becomes infected and inflamed, leading to sinusitis symptoms that can have a negative impact on your quality of life.
Causes and Symptoms of Sinusitis
Sinusitis occurs when the sinuses are inflamed due to an allergy, infection, or other underlying factors. This condition can be acute, which lasts for a short time, or chronic with symptoms persisting for more than 12 weeks.
The common of sinusitis causes are:
- Allergies: Dust, mold, pollen, or pet dander can cause allergic reactions that lead to inflamed sinuses.
- Environmental factors: Sinus problems may be triggered by air pollution, inhalation of smoke, as well as dry or humid air.
- Infections: Common cold or an infection from bacteria or a virus affecting the respiratory system can complicate your body’s health resulting in sinusitis.
- Nasal polyps: Abnormal growths in the nasal passage can block the drainage of the sinus and trigger an infection.
Sinusitis symptoms include:
- Cough
- Facial pressure or pain
- Headache
- Inability to smell properly
- Nasal congestion
- Postnasal drip
How does humidity affect sinusitis?
Places with humid climates have high moisture levels in the air, which may have either an advantageous or disadvantageous effect on the health of the sinus. One benefit of increased humidity is it can prevent the sinuses from extreme dryness when exposed to dry environments. On the contrary, too much humidity also paves the way for the growth of bacteria, fungi, and mold, which can trigger or exacerbate infections in the sinuses. Damp environments are a breeding ground for mold, which produce spores that can be inhaled and cause allergic rhinitis or fungal sinusitis.
Humid conditions also cause the mucous membranes of the nasal passages to swell and become congested. When this happens, the sinus is unable to drain properly and increases the risks of catching bacteria or viruses that can lead to an infection. Constant exposure to high humidity can also be a problem for the body as it can pose challenges in regulating the levels of moisture in the sinuses. This may lead to chronic sinusitis that can be stubborn and difficult to treat.
How can sinusitis be managed and treated in humid climates?
There are many efficient ways to manage and find relief from sinusitis symptoms in humid climates. Here are some tips to consider:
- Clean regularly: Cleaning your place on a regular basis and ensuring that it is properly ventilated can help in preventing dust accumulation and mold formation. Air purifiers with HEPA filters are great devices to use to trap allergens in the air. Use exhaust fans or open windows to allow the air to circulate around your home and prevent the build up of moist, stagnant air.
- Hydration: Keeping your body well-hydrated is an important habit for the health of your sinus and your entire body. Extreme humidity can cause an individual to sweat profusely, resulting in too much loss of water. Dehydration can have a negative effect on the sinuses as it can worsen mucus production and lead to sinus congestion. By consuming plenty of water everyday, you are helping the drainage of your sinus to function properly as it produces thin mucous, making it easier to drain and lessens the risk of infection.
- Managing your environment: Knowing and controlling the various factors in your environment that can affect the health of your sinuses is crucial to promote better sinus health in humid climates. The main objective is to minimise your exposure to pathogens that may cause allergies and irritation to your sinuses. Use air conditioning to regulate the level of humidity indoors. To lower the moisture levels in confined and often damp spaces, dehumidifiers are perfect to keep the humidity at a healthy level of 40 and 60%.
- Medications: There are many medicines available that can help relieve sinusitis symptoms and clear any infections. Some, like antihistamines and decongestants, may be bought over-the-counter, while antibiotics or those with steroids can be prescribed by an ENT specialist.
- Nasal irrigation: Using a saline solution to flush out sinus congestion is one approach that is recommended by ENT specialists to remove allergens, bacteria, and mucous from the nasal passages. It also reduces inflammation and helps keep the nasal passages moisturised without risks of bacterial or virus infection.
- Steam inhalation: Inhaling the warm, moist air coming from steaming water can help open up the nasal passages and release clogged airways. This also alleviates the pressure and pain from the face. To use steam inhalation, boil water in a pot. Once the water is boiling, carefully lean over the pot and inhale the steam while covering your head with a towel. Do this for 10 to 15 minutes. Essential oils, such as peppermint or eucalyptus, may be added to the water for additional relief. Remember to be very careful when doing this treatment as the hot water and steam may cause burns.
- Surgery: In chronic or severe conditions of sinusitis, your ENT specialist may recommend surgery. This is usually for cases when nasal obstruction is significant or there is an abnormal growth (polyps) present, which affects the drainage function of the sinuses. Surgery is the last resort when all other treatment approaches have been exhausted and there is no improvement observed.
To know which treatment is best for your sinusitis condition, visit an ENT specialist in Singapore.
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Dr Soma Subramaniam, MBBCH (IRE), DOHNS(ENG), MMED-ORL(NUS), FRCS-ORL(ENG), Consultant ENT Specialist and Surgeon
3212 Joo Chiat Place
#05–01 Parkway East Specialist Hospital
Singapore 427990
290 Orchard Road
#09-01 Paragon Medical Centre
Singapore 238859
+65 9856 8391