Can't say I've ever had that kind of pain from any of my sinus bugs, but
I will say that I have been more prone to them ever since I started
swimming year-round in high school. You'd think with all the biocides
(chlorine, bromine, ozone, UV, whatever your pool uses) that there'd be
nothing at all in the water, but there it is. I have a feeling that
what happens is as you swim, all your sinus passages open up to help
breathe, and pool water collects in some of the dark corners that are
otherwise sealed off. You finish your workout, and that water gets
stuck. Like any puddle of water in a warm, dark place, it becomes a
haven for germs to grow in once the disinfectant properties wear off.
Folks who use a sinus flush like "Simply Saline" between workouts blast
those passages clear, so they never develop an infection. Those who
don't (like me... SS tends to trigger unpleasant side effects), do. Now
mind you, this is only my pet theory, but it seems to fit people's
experiences.
Pat in TX said:I have a robust sinus infection in some (to me) obscure sinus located in
front of my left ear near my temple. I also have fluid on my left eardrum.
Now, the doc doesn't know (she isn't a swimmer) but I think this all came
about because of my swimming. It was one of those flip turns where I didn't
concentrate on keeping water out of my nose and the pain shot up my
Eustachian tube and lifted the top of my head off. You all know that pain.
It's hard to continue to swim with your eyes watering, but this sort of
thing happens from time to time.
What I was wondering is, do swimmers get more sinus infections that ordinary
Joes? Has anyone had a sinus infection following one of these
water-up-the-nose experiences? It is taking a long time to resolve....
Oh, and did you know that Levaquin costs $106 for 10 tablets? Cripes!
Pat in TX
