Sinus Pressure in the Workplace

Sinus pressure is always a nuisance, but how do you cope when it interferes with work? It sends attorney Pete Chambers to the doctor's office at least four times a year.

Because I get so busy, I don't want to stop and get in here. When you have sinus pressure, you don't breathe through your nose, you breathe through your mouth. And so it just ends up drying you out so much and your vocal cords that by end of the day, you know, I'm a lawyer without a voice.

Allergist Paul Rabinowitz sees lots of patients like Pete. Normally, they say, I have sinus pain. I have sinus congestion. Physiologically, it's all the same.

How are you?

Good to see you.

Good to see you.

You're back again.

I am.

So looking at your sinus x-ray, there's blockage in your nose that's blocking the sinage ducts that drain from the sinuses causing this pressure build up in your sinuses. There are a number of causes of sinus pressure that includes underlying allergy, which we call allergic rhinitis, that includes obstruction of the nasal sinus passages, and that can also be from irritants.

Dust buildup and extremely dry air are possible workplace irritants, no matter what type of environment you work in.

Then I have people come in who work in old buildings. The old ventilation systems may be full of dust and mold or even the fact that if the air is heated in the winter months, the dry air can be very irritating to the nasal and sinus passages.

When your sinuses bother you at work, what do you do?

You can buy some over the counter saline nose spray, keep your nose moisturized. Buy over the counter antihistamine/decongestant products. From there, if that's not successful, to come to an allergist or somebody who specializes in sinus problems.

For flight attendant Greg Shoemake, allergies and high altitudes cause tremendous sinus pressure.

You're trying to keep a smile on your face and you're just, your head's about to explode and you can't breathe but you do what you can.

Greg now gets relief from monthly allergy shots. For patients like Pete with chronic sinus pressure, there may not be a quick fix.

Lots of saline irrigation, medication to reduce inflammation and mucus, and work on the humidification in the office.

Pete takes his doctor's advice back to the law office and remembers to take his medications consistently.

A little while ago I did use the nose spray again, which always helps.

He makes adjustments to his work environment.

I do need to move my desk around because I've got this air vent right here. And it's great in the summer because, you know, it cools me off. Always got a water bottle on my desk, always have a handkerchief in my back pocket. It can make you less patient, you know? I mean, what I do is very stressful.

Pete follows his doctor's advice even when he leaves the office.

I think after today, sitting under the heat vent, talking all day, losing my voice, I'm going to go work out, sit in the steam room. I try to get over there as much I can because the steam clears my sinuses, helps my throat so I can have a good start the next day.

To manage your sinus pressure, try over the counter remedies and adjustments to your work environment. If you don't get relief, it may be time to visit your doctor.