Many argue that the atmospheric pressure doesn’t affect the sinuses but more and more studies have given concrete evidence to show that there is a link between barometric pressure and an increase in pain. Anecdotal evidence is found in sufferers of arthritis who often suggest that their joints ache increasingly as it rains. Migraine and headache sufferers believe that their condition worsens when atmospheric pressure falls. Some migraine sufferers claim that they feel more pain during storms, but there is yet to be any evidence to support this.
Sinuses and sinus headaches can be affected by a change in barometric pressure change. When there is an atmospheric pressure change, either before a storm or in an aeroplane, the gases that are in the sinuses and ears are at a higher pressure than the gases in the surrounding air. The air pressure will try to equalize within the sinuses and this is what leads to pain in the face and ears. Sufferers of a cold or chronic sinusitis can have more intense pain as the air can become trapped in the sinuses and in unable to equalize. Sinus pain is particularly prominent if the change in atmospheric pressure is very sudden. Examples of this happening are when you travel down or up hill at a fast speed or dive underwater.
Studies have shown that when atmospheric pressure drops, tissues expand. When these tissues expand within the surrounding joints, this aggravates the nerves and causes pain. A study in Japan carried out this research on rats. The rats were given artificial inflammation in their feet. While some of the rats remained at a normal barometric pressure, the rest of the rats were placed in a chamber where the pressure was dropped. The rats that were exposed to the lower pressure showed outward signs of pain in the feet.
Sinuses and sinus headaches can be affected by a change in barometric pressure change. When there is an atmospheric pressure change, either before a storm or in an aeroplane, the gases that are in the sinuses and ears are at a higher pressure than the gases in the surrounding air. The air pressure will try to equalize within the sinuses and this is what leads to pain in the face and ears. Sufferers of a cold or chronic sinusitis can have more intense pain as the air can become trapped in the sinuses and in unable to equalize. Sinus pain is particularly prominent if the change in atmospheric pressure is very sudden. Examples of this happening are when you travel down or up hill at a fast speed or dive underwater.
Studies have shown that when atmospheric pressure drops, tissues expand. When these tissues expand within the surrounding joints, this aggravates the nerves and causes pain. A study in Japan carried out this research on rats. The rats were given artificial inflammation in their feet. While some of the rats remained at a normal barometric pressure, the rest of the rats were placed in a chamber where the pressure was dropped. The rats that were exposed to the lower pressure showed outward signs of pain in the feet.
