What Happens When Sea Level Meets the Desert: How Las Vegas Is Wreaking Havoc on My Sinuses
I’ve traveled enough to know that every place has its quirks—but this trip to Las Vegas has introduced me to a special kind of misery: altitude and desert air teaming up to destroy my sinuses absolutely.
Coming from near sea level, the jump to Las Vegas—sitting roughly 2,000 feet above sea level—might not sound dramatic. But combine that elevation change with ultra-dry desert air, and my body is making its objections very clear.
Here’s what I’m dealing with:
Intense sinus pressure, especially behind the eyes and forehead
Dry, burning nasal passages
Headaches that come and go
Thick congestion that somehow exists despite the dryness
Fatigue and that foggy, “something’s off” feeling
Occasional ear pressure and popping
So why does this happen?
First, altitude change. Even a modest increase in elevation reduces air pressure. My sinuses are air-filled cavities, and when outside pressure drops quickly, they struggle to equalize. That imbalance creates pressure, pain, and inflammation.
Second, desert dryness. The Las Vegas air is dry. Dry air strips moisture from my nasal passages, which are supposed to stay damp to filter air and fight off irritants. Once they dry out, inflammation kicks in, mucus thickens, and everything feels blocked—even when it isn’t.
Third, hydration imbalance. I lose moisture faster here—through breathing, skin, and just existing. If I’m even slightly dehydrated, my sinuses feel it immediately.
Put it all together, and I get what I’m experiencing: terrible wonders. The kind where I marvel at how quickly my body reminds me it doesn’t like sudden environmental changes.
Vegas may be known for excess, but this sinus reaction feels especially over-the-top. Lesson learned: altitude, dryness, and quick transitions are not a friendly trio—at least not for my head.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be over here drinking water, looking for saline spray, and counting the hours until my sinuses remember how to function.
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