The Unholy Sinus Combo

Most people think sinus issues are just “allergies” or bad luck. With hEDS, it’s the same pattern as joint pain - just happening in a more sensitive space. The sinuses aren’t rigid cavities; they are lined with soft tissue that depends on collagen to hold shape and regulate fluid. So when the weather shifts, three things happen:

❌Humidity rises: sinus tissues absorb more moisture → swelling increases

❌Barometric pressure drops: pressure imbalance builds → that “full” or painful feeling kicks in

❌Temperature + moisture: tissues expand → drainage slows down

In a typical body, that’s just a mild congestion. In an hEDS body, it’s like inflating a soft balloon inside a fixed box: the passages narrow → Fluid doesn’t drain properly → Pressure builds and that familiar mix shows up: headaches, facial pain, blocked ears, post-nasal drip, brain fog.

Now add the compounding factors.

Loose connective tissue means the sinus structure doesn’t hold its shape properly.
If you also deal with mast cell issues (MCAS), inflammation ramps up faster. And because everything is already slightly “off,” even a small shift is massive.

Then the psychological layer kicks in. It’s not just a blocked nose - it’s pressure behind your eyes, dull headaches that won’t leave, and that constant low-grade fog that makes thinking feel like wading through syrup. So you start adapting. Avoiding triggers. Second-guessing plans. Wondering if it’s “just you.”

It’s not.

This is another version of the same pattern: a body that reacts more to variables most people barely notice.

That’s why management isn’t forcing your sinuses to clear but helping the system drain and stabilise:

➡️ keep airflow steady (steam, gentle nasal rinses if tolerated)

➡️ reduce inflammation early (don’t wait until it’s blocked solid)

➡️ support drainage (upright posture, gentle movement)

➡️ stabilise your environment where possible (sudden shifts are the real trigger)

t’s easy to dismiss sinus flares as “just allergies,” but when you live with hEDS, your body simply experiences the world more intensely.

Understanding this pattern is the first step and with pre-emptive strategies, you can reduce the frequency and severity of these episodes and reclaim more steady, clearer days.

You’re not imagining it, and you’re certainly not alone - even if you do feel it on the not so good days 🤗

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