Sinusitis and Air Pollution

Are you familiar with these symptoms: a runny nose, headaches, and nasal congestion? Is it just a cold or sinusitis?
Sinusitis affects between5 and 15% of the French population. It can be caused by allergies or by a virus, bacteria, or fungus, or it may be linked to environmental factors such asair pollution.
It is possible to prevent sinusitis, even chronic cases, by taking a few precautions such as:

• No smoking
• play sports
• filter the air you breathe

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. It causes headaches, a stuffy nose, and postnasal drip.

There are two types of sinusitis:

• Acute sinusitis: It usually follows a cold. Acute sinusitis is diagnosed when it lastslonger than a week.

• Chronic sinusitis: Sinusitis becomes chronic when it lastsfor several months. It does not cause new symptoms because it has been present for a long time. People with sinusitis may complainof persistent difficulty breathing through the noseand aloss of smell. Sinusitis becomes chronic either because it was not treated properly due to a missed diagnosis, or because the treatment was not followed.

How do you develop sinusitis?

The causes of sinusitis can includeallergies,viruses,bacteria,fungi, exposure totobacco smoke,humidity, andair pollution.

Pollution: A Cause of Sinusitis

Air pollutants, smoke, chemicals, household cleaners, and disinfectants—all of these can be inhaled and may cause sinus irritation, inflammation, and sinusitis.
In addition, people living in large cities or those with allergies are at greater risk of developing chronic sinusitis.

How can you prevent sinusitis?

Sinusitis can only be completely cured if the specific cause is identified. However, it is entirely possible to prevent sinusitis—even chronic cases—by taking a few precautions:

• Eat a balanced diet
• Be sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day
• Do not smoke
• Make sure to treat colds as soon as possible
• Avoid allergens that cause rhinitis if you have allergies
• Get regular exercise
• Don't hesitate to see your doctor if you have sinus pain

In addition, duringpollution spikes, you may experience chest tightness and pain due to irritation of the respiratory tract, or eye irritation.
It is bestto avoid going outsideduring apollution spike, especially duringrush hourwhen the air is filled with ozone andfine particulate matter.
Also be wary of fine droplets in fog, which containpollutants thatare easily inhaled.

And to effectively and sustainably combat sinusitis symptoms, you can install an air purifier in your rooms tofilter the indoor airandbreathe healthy air.

Sinusitis, an occupational disease

Due to the nature of their work, certain professionals are more exposed tochemical fumesand airborne pollutants.

For example, podiatrists are exposed tofumes from certain solventsandadhesives, such as theNeopreneadhesive used in the manufacture of insoles.
More information on the impact ofair quality on podiatrists’ health

In fact, the nose acts as the respiratory system’s first line of defense against airborne contaminants. As a result, it is often the first sign of a respiratory condition that can lead, after several months or years, to the development of asthma.

Discover our full line of professional indoor air purifiers