Carrying on with everyday life while suffering from winter illnesses makes Brits feel most under pressure in the winter (28%), according to new research. Other causes for concern in the winter season are budgeting (21%) and family feuds (13%).
When it comes to easing the strain, almost half of Brits surveyed (47%) said having more money would help, proving to be the top pressure buster in the Nurofen Sinus study see below for Brits' top 10 pressure busters:
Brits' top 10 pressure busters:
1. Having more money
2. Having good health
3. Going on holiday more often
4. Losing weight
5. Doing more exercise
6. Quitting my job
7. Shortening my commute
8. My boss being less uptight
9. Getting a puppy
10. Being able to rely on my friends
Having good health would relieve the pressure on over a third (35%) and more holidays would appease more than a quarter (27%). A fifth (20%) of the 2,000 people questioned say losing weight would help reduce the pressure in their lives, a higher priority for Brits than alleviating the stresses of work.
Being too ill to concentrate came out of the study as the top winter workplace worry (23%), with the most common reasons for calling in sick including flu (11%), chest infection (9%) and sinus pain (6%). In fact, 2 in 5 sinus pain sufferers (40%) said they have called in sick because of it.
When asked how sinus pain feels, over a third of sufferers (34%) said it's as if their head is going to explode. A quarter (23%) say sinus pain feels like their nose is being pushed into their brain and 1 in 5 (18%) likened it to a melon being stuck up their nose.
Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, Dr Alasdair Mace, comments "Sinus pain can be a debilitating condition caused by the inflammation of the sinus linings or blockage of the sinus drainage pathways, generally triggered by a persistent cold or flu. Felt as extreme pressure in the cheeks, between the eyes and behind the eyebrows, symptoms can last for two to three weeks. I advise my patients to tackle the discomfort at the onset of symptoms to help them feel better sooner and prevent inflammation becoming a prolonged sinus infection."
Despite sinus pain being extremely debilitating, less than a third of sufferers (31%) say others show them sympathy when they complain about their symptoms, and 13% say they get laughed at or told to stop whinging.
Almost three quarters of sinus pain sufferers (73%) experience symptoms at least a few times a year, and more than 1 in 10 (12%) sufferers get sinus pain more than once a week.
Sinus pain is generally felt in conjunction with other unpleasant symptoms including headache (69%), blocked nose (62%) and pressure in the skull (51%), however a quarter of sufferers (25%) wait a few days to see if they clear up. Furthermore, 13% aren't sure what medicine to use to treat it, and 1 in 10 aren't aware of anything indicated to treat sinus pain.
A staggering 91% of sinus pain sufferers wish there was a product that reduced inflammation, relieved pain and cleared congestion. The NEW Nurofen Sinus range has been specially formulated to do all three.
Nurofen Sinus Pain Relief (RRP £5.49 for 16 tablets) combines both the painkiller ibuprofen, which targets the source of pain, and phenylephrine hydrochloride, a powerful decongestant to help relieve a blocked nose. This dual action formula reduces inflammation to help you breathe more easily and also provides relief from associated symptoms such as fever and sore throat pain.
Dr Alasdair Mace's top tips for treating symptoms:
• Steam inhalations are very helpful. Menthol or eucalyptus oils can be added for a pleasant smell, but plain water is just as effective.
• Soothe your pain and help mucus drain from your sinuses by applying a warm pack or a warm, wet towel to your face.
• Nasal discharge can be reduced by regularly rinsing the inside of your nose with a salt water and bicarbonate solution.
• Ibuprofen or paracetamol based painkillers can help relieve a sinus headache, while decongestants can help unblock your nose and sinuses, allowing you to breathe more easily and also help mucus drain from the sinuses.
• Some sufferers find that eating spicy foods such a hot curry helps get the mucus flowing and relieves sinus pressure!
• Drink lots of water; your mucus will be thinner and flow better and it is easy to get dehydrated if you have a fever.
Usually it is not necessary to see a GP if your sinus headaches are mild and getting better. However, if your pain is severe or getting worse, hasn't started to improve after a week or you experience sinus headaches frequently, then see your doctor. A nasal endoscopy can look for nasal polyps and a scan may indicate if surgery could help
2 in 5 sinus pain sufferers said they have called in sick because of it.