Triggers of Indiana Sinusitis Symptoms

What are some of the major triggers of Indiana Sinusitis Symptoms?

If you live in Indiana, especially parts of Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Carmel, Fishers, Westfield or Noblesville you or someone you know may suffer from triggers of Indiana Sinusitis Symptoms. For many people this season can really feel like Indiana is out to get them when it comes to their sinuses. In this post we explore why Indiana can be so bad on chronic sinus sufferers. Identifying your triggers can be one of the best ways to get back on the road to good health and improve your quality of life.

Let’s get started.

What causes triggers of Indiana Sinusitis Symptoms? 

The causes of chronic sinusitis in each patient I see are typically multi-factorial. That means that many times there are several things going on that as a whole are affecting the chronic sinusitis I am seeing in a patient. It’s important to get a handle on your unique chronic sinusitis triggers because if you don’t and your symptoms last longer than 2 to 3 months you may need a sinus procedure like balloon sinuplasty to help reverse your symptoms.

Here are some of the main triggers of Indiana Sinusitis Symptoms.

Ozone – I often get the question from my patients as to what causes chronic sinusitis? In Indiana that can be be a difficult question to answer because there are so many triggers. In the more populated areas like Indianapolis, Fishers, Carmel, Fort Wayne, Westfield and Noblesville it is not uncommon to see high levels of ozone present from population density and large amounts of cars present in these areas. Think of ozone like breathing chlorine bleach. It is just as harmful to our lungs and nasal passages but it just has no smell or taste. Chronic exposure to ozone can trigger swelling and inflammation. That then triggers symptoms of chronic sinusitis when sensitive individuals are exposed over a long period. 

Farming – If you are living outside the Indianapolis or Fort Wayne areas and think you might be a candidate for balloon sinuplasty you can improve your health by considering how farm chemical exposures are affecting your sinuses. Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers that are commonly used by farmers within several miles of where you live can cause significant symptom triggers, inflammation and swelling of the sinus passages. Long-term exposure to these chemicals can then lead to chronic sinusitis. What should you do? The best advice is to go in when farmers are planting, spraying, or harvesting. 

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Allergies – One of the most common causes of chronic sinusitis in Indiana is uncontrolled or poorly controlled long-term allergy symptoms. By not controlling your allergy symptoms inflammation starts and builds in your sinus passages. Once the drainage pathways of the sinuses close off you may transition from allergy symptoms to chronic sinusitis symptoms. When you feel congestion, itching, and drainage during times of high pollen counts, this is the time when you should consider over the counter medications to control your symptoms. When these fail it’s time to see a specialist. Early intervention and treatment will help prevent the need for balloon sinuplasty in your future. 

Mold – Just like allergies, mold can be a serious issue here in Indiana and is a major trigger of chronic sinusitis in the state. Exposure to outdoor mold can be minimized by keeping your windows closed and by use of indoor air-conditioner throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall.  Be sure to keep up with use of a high-quality air-filter on your HVAC system also. If you have indoor mold it needs immediate eradication to prevent serious disease. There are contractors available online to evaluate and fix indoor mold. Dehumidification of your living space can also improve chronic sinusitis symptoms with some individuals. 

If you have chronic symptoms of sinusitis that are starting here in Indiana you should immediately look at trying to avoid your exposures and also try using over the counter medications to help control and reverse your symptoms. When doing these things does not improve your symptoms, you may be a candidate for an innovative office sinus procedure called sinuplasty. Balloon Sinuplasty has been FDA approved for over a decade. Over the last 12 years I have performed thousands of these procedures in the office setting with excellent results and it can typically be performed in 15 minutes.  As a Center of Excellence, most of my patients see a quick return to normal activity and almost no down-time after their office-based treatment. 

How does balloon sinuplasty work? Read more about that to get a better understanding of how things work. I am also available for an immediate free evaluation HERE if you want to start on the road to better sinus health and see if you are a candidate for treatment.

Go out and win the day!

Brad Bichey, MD