As trees and flowers begin to bloom, many of us are bracing for the inevitable spring sniffles that come this time of the year. However, for some, familiar congestion can turn into persistent pain and pressure that linger longer than two weeks, which may make you wonder: Is this more than just allergies?
“The combination of high pollen counts and rain-induced mold means that those prone to seasonal allergies often face a major increase in congestion and discomfort this time of the year,” said Dr. Ahmed Sufyan, an otolaryngologist at Mid-Michigan ENT, who performs sinus procedures at McLaren Greater Lansing. “Common allergy symptoms can include sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, itching of the ears or throat, runny nose, and nasal congestion.”
If symptoms don’t get better or if they worsen, that may mean a more serious sinus condition, such as sinusitis. Sinusitis refers to inflammation that directly involves the sinus cavities or their drainage pathways.
“People who suffer from seasonal allergies are often prone to developing sinusitis because the symptoms caused by allergies lead to swelling of the sinuses and can cause a blockage and then become inflamed and infected,” said Dr. Sufyan. “While sinusitis can cause symptoms similar to allergies, such as congestion and nasal drainage, patients often also experience facial pressure, pain, achiness, fatigue, and fever during an active infection.”
Dr. Sufyan shared some tips to help reduce your sinus symptoms, including:
- Keeping windows and doors closed to minimize pollen coming indoors
- Wearing a mask when mowing the lawn or minimizing any yard work
- Taking a daily over-the-counter antihistamine
- Using a steroid nasal spray (while staying away from decongestant nasal sprays)
- Flushing your sinuses with a saline spray to reduce inflammation
“Additionally, those who suffer from dust mite allergies should focus on getting hypoallergenic bed sheets, replacing them regularly, and if you can, removing any carpets you have in your house, because when you vacuum, it can stir up dust into the air,” said Dr. Sufyan.
Symptoms that won’t go away and get worse are classified as moderate to severe and indicate that you should seek medical attention from your primary care provider or an ENT specialist.
“For patients with persistent symptoms, immunotherapy may be recommended,” said Dr. Sufyan. “Immunotherapy works by gradually exposing the immune system to small, controlled amounts of allergens over time, leading to reduced symptom severity and decreased reliance on medications.”
Some patients may have physical blockages in their sinuses, in which case, in-office, minimally invasive procedures can be performed to help open up their sinus cavities. Additionally, sinus surgery may be recommended to restore normal sinus drainage.
It is also important to recognize that nasal congestion and a runny nose can have causes beyond allergies or sinus infections. An ENT specialist can help identify the exact cause and recommend appropriate treatment.
“Don’t wait to seek help. Sinus and allergy symptoms are extremely common and highly treatable,” said Dr. Sufyan. “Early evaluation and a personalized treatment plan are key to preventing long-term symptoms and reducing your reliance on repeated medications, or frequent infections.”
To contact Dr. Sufyan’s office, click here.
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