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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Excessive Crying Lead To Sinus Infection?

Hello! i cried excessively for the first time in over a year a few nights ago, and ever since i have been congested. i ve been sneezing, having to blow my nose every 10 minutes or less, and having a horrible post nasal drip which has been causing me to have a very annoying constant cough. yesterday morning i woke up so congested i could feel how affected my breathing was, and a i had to spend 20 minutes coughing up green phlegm. did my excessive crying give me a sinus infection?
posted on Thu, 24 Jul 2014
Twitter Wed, 10 Sep 2014 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 10 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on
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ENT Specialist,  's  Response
Hi. It is quite possible that your excessive crying may have precipitated a sinus infection.

Here is how. Our tears are drained from a duct called as the lacrymal duct which can be seen on the medial side of the lower eyelids (near the bridge of the nose). This duct opens into the nose beneath the inferior turbinate. The lacrymal duct, due to its minute diameter, often collects dust and other secretions. In your case there may be an underlying irritant, allergen or infective material in the duct that got carried into the nasal cavity with the tears and into the sinuses precipitating an inflammatory response suggested by the congestion and an allergic response suggested by the sneezing and the post nasal drip.

The green phlegm is indicative of a bacterial infection and you must consult an ENT specialist for a course of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications and perhaps saline nasal sprays to clean your sinuses.

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Does Excessive Crying Lead To Sinus Infection?

Hi. It is quite possible that your excessive crying may have precipitated a sinus infection. Here is how. Our tears are drained from a duct called as the lacrymal duct which can be seen on the medial side of the lower eyelids (near the bridge of the nose). This duct opens into the nose beneath the inferior turbinate. The lacrymal duct, due to its minute diameter, often collects dust and other secretions. In your case there may be an underlying irritant, allergen or infective material in the duct that got carried into the nasal cavity with the tears and into the sinuses precipitating an inflammatory response suggested by the congestion and an allergic response suggested by the sneezing and the post nasal drip. The green phlegm is indicative of a bacterial infection and you must consult an ENT specialist for a course of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications and perhaps saline nasal sprays to clean your sinuses.