How to Handle Your Summer Allergies
Allergies can make you miserable. With itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing and congestion, enjoying yourself during beautiful summer months can be difficult. Try these simple tips to keep your summer allergies under control and have fun this summer!
Keep Indoor Air Clean
Unfortunately, there isn’t a product that can magically eliminate all allergens in your home. However, when using the air conditioning in the house or car regularly, changing the air filters and keeping the indoor air dry with a dehumidifier can greatly help.
Reduce Exposure
Try and reduce your exposure to things that can activate your allergies like staying indoors on dry or windy days. Understanding that spending all summer indoors is impossible, plan ahead and look at local weather or pollen levels.
If outside chores are calling your name, either wear a pollen mask or delegate the chores like lawn mowing or weed pulling. After outdoor chores or activities, remove the clothes you wore outside and shower to remove all the pollen from your hair and skin.
Rinses Those Sinuses
Rinsing your sinuses, or nasal irrigation, is a beneficial way to relieve symptoms for those who struggle with allergies or just general nasal congestion. Nasal irrigation is flushing out your nasal cavity with a saline solution. The solution is a simple mixture of purified water and salt, used in combination with a squeeze bottle or a neti pot. Directly rinsing your sinuses or nasal passages will flushes out mucus and allergens in your nose.
Over-the-counter remedy
If the tips above aren’t cutting it, there are several types of nonprescription medications that can alleviate your allergy symptoms.
- Oral antihistamines can help relieve sneezing, itching, a runny nose and watery eyes
- Decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine, can provide temporary relief from nasal stuffiness
- Nasal spray can ease allergy symptoms and doesn’t have serious side effects, though it’s most effective when you begin using it before your symptoms start
Consult a Doctor
For some, taking precaution or using over-the-counter medications isn’t enough to alleviate their allergy symptoms. So, consult your doctor to determine the best course of action for your allergies, whether they are seasonal or year around.
For more information on all Rhinology questions or to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians, please visit https://nevada-ent.com/ or call 775.322.4589.
Summer; the best time for outdoor activities like swimming, live concerts, fireworks and even yard work. To get the most out of your summer but also to protect your hearing, here are some preventative measures to keep in mind during these summer activates.
Live Concerts
Outdoors concerts are the best during the summer but can be just as harmful because of the high volume of decibels during the concerts.
Decibels are a unit used to measure the intensity of a sound or the power level of an electrical signal by comparing it with a given level on a logarithmic scale.
The typical person can generally accept 85 decibels for a maximum of eight hours a day, followed by at least a couple hours of recovery time. Most live concerts are at a volume of 100 to 110 decibels which decrease the length of exposure time.
There are two options for all concert goers, placing oneself as far away from speakers as possible or wearing ear plugs. Earplugs can decrease the noise by 20 to 30 decibels.
Both are good options to avoid ringing in the ears after the concert has ended.
Fireworks
Between Fourth of July, baseball games and local events, fireworks are a staple during the summertime. Although fireworks produce between 140-150 decibels, they generally do not cause problems because the explosions are short-lived and happen in the sky.
However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Keeping your distance, around 500 feet, is an easy way to still enjoy the beautiful show but also keep your hearing safe.
Using earplugs is an inexpensive and efficient way to protect your hearing. Various types of earplugs are able to reduce different level of decibels.
Water Activities
The best way to cool off can also be the most common cause of ear trouble during the summer. Swimming in any type of water can cause water to get trapped in the middle ear.
The middle ear is the part between the eardrum and the oval window. It transmits sound from the outer ear to the inner ear. Getting water trapped in the middle ear can cause an infection to develop.
Wearing earplugs or custom-molded ones can prevent trouble or pain.
Outdoor Equipment
Equipment like lawnmowers and weed whackers can produce up to 100 decibels so wearing earplugs is a key protective measure. Some people prefer to listen to music through headphones while doing yard work, this isn’t the same as using earplugs and can be harmful.
Listening to music requires the music to be louder and drown out the sound of the equipment.
Be aware of your proximity to the loud sound and remember to use ear plugs if you need to. There are a variety of earplugs that are best for different types of activities including swimming and attending concerts.
For more information on all Otology questions or to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians, please visit https://nevada-ent.com/ or call 775.322.4589.
We’d like to congratulate our very own Dr. Van Duyne for competing in the 14th Annual Reno-Tahoe Odyssey. Dr. Van Duyne and the rest of “Outrunning 50” won and set a new record for the Senior Women division.
Congratulations to Dr. Van Duyne who participated!
Septal deviation is a common condition, with a significant portion of the population having their septum deviate to one side or the other. Commonly some degree of nasal trauma may cause a deviated septum. Many people are asymptomatic from this, however a few can have nasal obstruction symptoms on the side that is deviated. In these patients, septoplasty (i.e straightening the septum), can be performed. It is usually an outpatient procedure, performed under general anesthesia. After the operation, the patient can breathe better on the affected side. If the deviated septum is more posteriorly placed, endoscopic septoplasty is a good option for the patient. This approach can be done without packing or splints afterwards, and the recovery is easier. Commonly an inferior turbinoplasty is performed concurrently because the turbinates can be swollen due to allergies, or to compensate for the extra space on the non deviated side.
Josh Meier, M.D. F.A.R.S
The use of neti pots and similar methods of irrigating the nasal cavity is an old homeopathic remedy for sinus pressure and high levels of sinus mucus. Though the neti pot stems from ancient Indian Ayurvedic hygiene and wellness practices, doctors have recently been paying more attention to the method. What they have found is that it is both a safe and effective method for clearing the sinuses of mucus, and may also help to reduce inflammation by flushing small, irritation-causing particles out of the sinuses, as well as viruses and bacteria.
Usually a nasal rinse is some form of saline concentration. It is recommended that patients use an isotonic concentration, or a concentration that has saline levels similar to those in the human body. Patients can either purchase premixed salt packets for this or make their own at home. One common recipe calls for 2-3 teaspoons of iodine-free salt and 1/4-1/2 teaspoons of baking soda for one liter of sterile water. Including a small amount of baking soda in the rinse has been shown to yield better results than saline alone. Some patients prefer higher levels of saline concentration, but studies have shown that this can damage the nose’s cilia. Cilia are small, waving hairs that keep the nose clean. Increased salt levels in your nasal rinse can lead to increased nasal congestion and nasal swelling.
It is very important when flushing your nasal cavities that you use sterile water. Boiled, distilled, or well-filtered water are recommended. Do not use water from a wild or questionable source without appropriate filtration and sterilization. In very rare instances, amoeba present in a municipal water source has caused encephalitis in neti pot users. Encephalitis is a deadly brain infection. It is not common to find such amoeba outside of untreated water supplies, but the results are serious, so use caution and ensure your water is safe before using it in your sinuses.
In addition to sterile water, it is also important to use sterile equipment. To sterilize the bottle you are using, microwave it for two minutes in cold water. One study found this method more effective than a boiling water rinse. Using Milton’s antibacterial solution was also found to be an effective sterilization method.
Ideally, an effective nasal rinse will reach as much of the nasal lining as possible. There are a couple of factors in application that may improve the rinse’s effectiveness. First, when applying the rinse, place your head down. This can help the irrigation reach the top of the nose and forehead sinus. Second, a high volume of delivery tends to be more effective than a lower volume of delivery. The increased volume tends to result in the optimal coverage of the nasal lining.
There are a couple of treatments that can work in conjunction with nasal rinsing to improve patient results. One is sinus surgery. If there are nasal blockages present, surgery can lead to improved delivery and effectiveness of a nasal rinse. Another is medicated irrigation. In patients with chronic sinusitis who were using topical antibiotics or nasal steroid sprays, high volume rinses with diluted steroids improved their symptoms.
If you are having nasal issues, please call and make an appointment with one of the specialists at Nevada ENT and the Reno Tahoe Sinus Center. We can help determine the source of your symptoms and give you information on treatment options individually tailored to your circumstances.
Source: Nasal/Sinus Irrigation by Benjamin S. Bleier, MD
http://care.american-rhinologic.org/irrigation
Nicholas Weseley, UNR 2nd year Medical Student, presented his summer research project “A Validated Model for the 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test Subdomain Structure in Chronic Rhinosinusitis” at the Regional American College of Physicians Meeting on September 27th at the VA Hospital in Reno. He won first prize for the summer project he headed up in collaboration with Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School. He will present again October 13-14th at the Nevada State ACP Meeting in Las Vegas. Congrats to Nic on his win and all of his hard work! This research has furthered understanding of quality of life effects in patients with chronic sinusitis.
Josh Meier, M.D. F.A.R.S.
Dr. Meier recently returned from Chicago where the paper “A Validated Model for the 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test Subdomain Structure in Chronic Rhinosinusitis” was presented at the American Rhinologic Society’s Annual Meeting. This paper demonstrated that the 22 questions found in the SNOT-22 can be grouped into 4 subdomains (sleep, nasal, otologic/facial pain and emotional). Data was provided from 400 patients from Nevada ENT / Reno Tahoe Sinus Center and 400 patients from Harvard / Mass Eye and Ear. Dr. Meier and Dr. Killeen enjoyed collaborating without colleagues from Boston and look forward to future projects. Special thanks to our hard working, 2nd year UNR medical student, Nicholas Weseley, who performed the data collection.
Odontogenic sinusitis is a persistent infection of the sinuses that arises from a diseased upper tooth root – usually a molar. Odontogenic sinusitis comprises 5-10% of chronic sinusitis. The dental infection will cause a periapical abscess (pus collection around the root of the tooth) which is commonly located in the cheek sinus. This will cause foul-smelling, purulent unilateral drainage that usually is refractory to antibiotics. The bacteria are usually anaerobic bacteria that are common dental flora. Antibiotics do not work because there is so much pus in the sinus, they can not penetrate to the middle of the collection. Occasionally the cheek sinus infection spreads to the ethmoid and frontal sinuses. Sometimes extraction of the infected tooth can cure the infection, but usually endoscopic sinus surgery is required. Once the sinus has been opened and the diseased tooth has been removed the patient’s sinus issues resolve. Endoscopic sinus surgery is curative, by draining the sinus.
Another cause of odontogenic infections in the maxillary sinuses are dental implants. Dental implants are being used more commonly for dental restoration, and most patients do quite well. Rarely the implant can penetrate into the maxillary sinus and this results in a path for dental bacteria to travel into the sinus, resulting in a chronic sinus infection that is refractory to antibiotics. Once again, endoscopic sinus surgery will cure the infection, and the implant does not need to be removed.
Josh Meier, M.D. F.A.R.S.
Nasal complaints are common in northern Nevada. While there are many conditions that can cause nasal symptoms, high altitude, allergies and lack of humidity are some of the factors that can lead to nasal symptoms. Fortunately the majority of nasal complaints can be resolved with simple, economical solutions, many of which are available over the counter.
The bulk of patients we treat at Nevada ENT and the Reno Tahoe Sinus Center have chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). CRS is a chronic inflammatory disease, similar to asthma. Just like asthma there is no single cure for CRS, but there are many treatments that can improve the patient’s quality of life. Symptoms can include nasal obstruction, drainage, smell loss and facial pain or pressure. Nasal steroids and rinses are the first line therapy for CRS. If they fail, a visit to an Otolaryngologist can be helpful. If a patient continues to have symptoms despite medical therapy, then a CT scan is usually ordered. Nevada ENT and the Reno Tahoe Sinus Center offer a brand new cone-beam CT scanner for this reason that allows point of care service, image quality, as well as 1/10th of the radiation as a conventional sinus CT scan. If the CT scan shows abnormalities, and if the patient has failed medical management, then endoscopic sinus surgery is an option, however the majority of patients have significant improvement with medical management and do not need surgery.
There have been significant advances in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) over the last 30 years. Improved techniques, optics, and instruments result in minimally invasive surgery, and significantly quicker recovery times. New techniques and advanced rhinologic training make the use of nasal splints or packing after surgery unnecessary, resulting in minimal postoperative pain for patients.
Other common nasal complaints in northern Nevada include the following:
Nasal dryness – This is extremely common in our area. The role of the nose is to warm and humidify air as it enters the body. This job is more challenging if the baseline air humidity is 10-20% as it is here. Symptoms from too much dryness include nasal obstruction, burning, and crusting in the nose. This can be effectively treated using over the counter saline gel, Neilmed® saline rinses and a humidifier.
Allergic rhinitis – Symptoms of allergies include nasal obstruction, clear nasal drainage, and smell loss. Watery and itchy eyes may also be seen. Topical nasal steroids such as Flonase® or Nasocort® can be purchased over the counter. Saline rinses can help as well. Oral antihistamines can be added to help eye symptoms.
Atrophic rhinitis – This is more common in the elderly, when the nasal mucosa cannot humidify the nose properly anymore. The main symptom from this is clear nasal drainage, intensified with eating and exercise. Fortunately there is a simple prescription medication that can reduce the drainage – Atrovent® nasal spray.
For more information or if you are having nasal issues, from simple to complex, please call and make an appointment to see physicians at Nevada ENT and the Reno Tahoe Sinus Center.
Josh Meier, M.D. F.A.R.S., is the Director of the Reno Tahoe Sinus Center. He specializes in complex and revision endoscopic sinus surgery cases. He graduated from medical school from the University of Southern California and completed an Otolaryngology residency and Rhinology fellowship at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Meier is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and his training also allows him to endoscopically manage disorders of the anterior skull base and orbit.
www.nevada-ent.com
www.renotahoesinus.com
(775) 322-4589
Dr. Meier authored an article on chronic sinusitis and nasal health for the October issue of Canyon Vista Living – the local magazine for Somersett Reno.
Please click below to download the PDF
Thank you to Canyon Vista Living for the great opportunity
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