5 Tips for Beating the Sniffles of Chronic Stress

Admin • September 1, 2017

Modern society thrives on fast-paced, high-pressure lifestyles. While the days fly by, you may notice that your colds seem to drag on and on. A runny nose, headache and irritated eyes are symptoms of many illnesses, but they may be made worse by stress. If you are tired of constant sniffles slowing you down, the solution might be found in managing your anxiety levels.

1. Understanding How Stress Impacts Your Sinuses

Stress is an early part of your fight-or-flight response. It is meant to put you on edge to prepare for a future threat. Modern people are constantly looking toward the future and, as a result, tend to always have their next stressful event in sight. While this can be necessary for your advancing a career or caring for a family, it also takes a physical toll on your body.

Chronic stress makes harmful changes to your circulatory system. It increases your risk of heart disease and stroke and can suppress your immune system. Day to day, it creates tension in your muscles that can lead to lasting pains and headaches. This inflammation of the blood vessels combined with a weak immune system are often the culprits behind stuffy sinuses.

2. Ruling Out Other Causes

Before you write off your sinus problems as a symptom of stress, you should double check that they aren't symptomatic of a more serious issue. Certain people, for example, become more sensitive to airborne allergens as they get older. You may also be fighting a persistent sinus infection or immune disorder, which should be diagnosed and treated professionally. Your doctor can help you rule out other causes before deciding on the best course of treatment.

3. Supporting Your Immune System

A runny nose and puffy eyes are only symptoms of a larger problem. On the physical side, your body is struggling to maintain balance under the weight of stress. Boosting your immune system will allow your body to fight off the viruses and bacteria that fuel chronic infections. Your doctor can offer advice on your diet or sleeping habits and may prescribe medication if necessary to your increase immune system's performance.

4. Finding Time to Relax

The simplest way to relieve these symptoms is to solve the stress that's causing them. Whether this means reducing your workload or taking more time for yourself, finding effective ways to manage stress is crucial to your overall well-being. This will not only help your sinuses but the rest of your body as well. These most visible symptoms are just a warning sign of the damage done by long-term anxiety.

In many cases, the aches and fatigue caused by anxiety generate more stress as you go through your day. The distraction may even lead to mistakes that make things worse. This is why treating both your physical and mental symptoms is essential for making real progress. By ensuring your physical comfort, your time spent relaxing will be more restful and fulfilling—leaving you in a better mindset at the start of each week.

5. Managing Sinus-Related Symptoms of Anxiety

Of course, shedding the stresses of life is often easier said than done. In the meantime, you may still have unpleasant side effects to live with. Don't let yourself get dragged down by the physical effects of anxiety. An experienced sinus doctor can recommend several different treatments to take pressure off of your sinuses.

The clinical staff at Wilmington Ear Nose & Throat offers a specialized treatment known as balloon sinuplasty to manage chronic sinus inflammation. During this procedure, a small balloon is inserted and gently inflated within your sinuses, opening the airway and assisting with drainage. While you're dealing with the stresses of daily life, schedule an initial appointment with us so you can begin each day feeling fresh and breathing freely.

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