Reduce Dust, Pollen, and Viral Load with Good “Nasal” Housekeeping By Koby Taylor, PharmD Summertime is upon us, and with the change of season, we look forward to going outside to resume hiking, biking, boating, and gathering with our friends and family to enjoy the sun and the warm temperatures. Because our region consists primarily of sand and dirt and because we’ll be gathering in larger groups, it is the perfect time to give you a few tips about nasal health so that you can enjoy everything the season has to offer.
Good Nasal Housekeeping
I’ve written articles in the past about sinus health, and we have a lot of information on this subject in my pharmacy and on my website. I thought I would approach this subject again for two reasons: one, summer air is extremely dry and your sinuses will need a little extra moisture; two, dry sinuses can often lead to illness. To emphasize the importance of nasal and sinus health, here are some fun facts to ponder: • Your nose can detect more than 10,000 scents, and scents are connected to the memory center in your brain. • Your nose can detect danger (i.e. a gas leak or smoke). • Your nose and sinuses also serve as a micro-humidifier; as you inhale through your nose, the air swirls up into the mucus-lined sinus cavity, moistening the air as it reaches your lungs. • Sinuses actually reduce the weight of your skull, help to resonate your voice, and protect and insulate your brain from heat. • Sinuses keep your nose moisturized by producing mucus (a liter per day!) while they both filter the air from dust, pollen, and germs. The nose, nasal cavity, and paranasal sinuses are one of the most important and sophisticated systems of your body, but even the most perfectly designed system needs a little help from time to time. Keeping your nose and sinuses healthy can easily be incorporated into your daily hygiene routine.
Dust, Pollen, and Viral Load
When the air is hot and dry, most of us don’t think about catching a cold or the flu, but “hot and dry” is the perfect time for germs to make their way into your immune system. Dry sinuses mean a dry nose, and if both are not able to filter effectively, you can get sick. This same logic applies to the environmental dust and pollen that trigger allergy symptoms.
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