Forecast for Pain: Uncovering the Surprising Link Between Unpredictable Weather and Headaches
Doctors at the Medical School and Pharmacy Hospital – 3 facilities examine and treat patients with sinusitis depending on weather changes. – Photo: HOANG NHAN
Sinusitis: The Most Common Cause of Headaches
According to Master Le Ngo Minh Nhu, a specialist at the Medical School and Pharmacy Hospital – Facility 3, sinusitis or rhinosinusitis is a condition where the sinuses become inflamed due to bacterial, viral, fungal, or allergic reactions.
The paranasal sinuses are hollow spaces located in the skull, covered with a thin layer of mucous membrane and connected to the nasal cavity through cavities.
When sinusitis occurs, the sinus membranes swell, blocking the cavities and causing mucus to accumulate. This leads to symptoms such as headache, nasal congestion, and runny nose.
Headaches are a very common symptom that many people experience, especially when the weather changes. Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and changes in barometric pressure affect the sinus mucosa, causing symptoms of sinusitis such as headaches.
In particular, when the temperature suddenly drops, the sinus mucosa becomes irritated and mucus production increases. This increased secretion can block the sinus openings and put pressure on the sinuses, causing headaches that may radiate to the forehead, cheekbones, or the area behind the eyes.
When the weather is dry, the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses are irritated, causing discomfort and inflammation. When the nasal mucosa becomes inflamed, it swells quickly, causing nasal congestion and headaches.
Alternatively, increased changes in atmospheric pressure can create pressure differences between the sinuses and the external environment, causing pain and tension in the sinuses and causing headaches.
Treating Sinusitis When the Weather Changes
Dr. Minh Nhu added that treatment of headaches caused by sinusitis or sinusitis is based on the principle of using medications and supportive measures to control symptoms and prevent sinusitis from worsening.
If you have a condition that requires medication, your doctor may prescribe medication to you. Some medications that can be used to treat sinusitis include:
- Antipyretic and pain reliever to regulate temperature and relieve pain.
- Antibiotics (if infection is present) recommended if sinusitis is caused by bacteria. The period of use is 7 to 14 days depending on the degree of infection. Antibiotics are prescribed only when there are signs of infection and not for sinusitis caused by a virus or allergy.
- Anti-allergic agents should be used in patients where allergies are considered a favorable factor for sinusitis.
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Topical and systemic vasoconstrictors, as well as topical corticosteroids (recommended for chronic sinusitis or allergies).
Non-pharmacological methods include:
- Rinse your nose with saline solution to clear your sinuses, reduce mucus retention, and help relieve headaches. Nasal irrigation 2-3 times a day helps keep your nasal passages and sinuses clean.
- Sauna with warm steam to inhale the warm vapor and reduce headaches by thinning the mucus in the sinuses and nose, reducing congestion and sinus pressure. Adding essential oils such as eucalyptus or peppermint can improve nasal ventilation.
- Heat compress to apply a warm compress to your forehead and nose and relieve pressure in your sinuses and relieve pain. The warmth of a warm towel helps reduce headaches by dilating blood vessels and improving blood circulation.
For chronic sinusitis that does not respond to medical treatment, functional endoscopic sinus surgery may be necessary to reduce headache symptoms by widening the sinus openings and removing sinus polyps or infected tissue to reduce congestion and improve air circulation within the sinuses.
Preventing Sinusitis That Causes Headaches When the Weather Changes
Dr. Minh Nhu recommends that to prevent sinus disease, which can cause headaches when the weather changes, it is necessary to keep the area around the nose and throat clean, wash the nose, and gargle with saline or disinfectant solution once a day.
Avoid exposure to dust, chemicals, or cold. Wear a mask and coat when going out. Don’t smoke, limit alcohol, spicy foods, sweet and fatty foods, and cold foods.
Eat nutritious foods, get enough rest, and exercise regularly. Regular health checkups, early detection and treatment of comorbidities, pay attention to favorable factors that cause rhinosinusitis, and follow doctor’s treatment (if any).