- Physical symptoms of sinusitis include nasal inflammation, a runny nose, congestion, headaches and pain or swelling in the face.
- People who have chronic sinusitis are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.
- Balloon sinuplasty is a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure used to clear blocked sinuses.
Physicians have known for a while about the correlation between chronic sinusitis and mental health issues, Dr. Robert Weiss of CT ENT Sinus Center said.
"There's certainly a lot in the literature about the connection between depression and mental health in general, and having a chronic sinus problem and recurrent allergies that are significant," Weiss said.
The misery caused by chronic sinusitis can lead to impaired quality of life that, in turn, can lead to depression and anxiety, Weiss said.
"It affects your mood and your ability to work sometimes, or you don't want to be around people," he said. "So it makes sense that correlation will be there, not being a mental health expert."
Weiss, director and founder of CT ENT Sinus Center, is a board-certified otolaryngologist head and neck surgeon, a member of seven preeminent medical associations and societies, and is associated with Norwalk Hospital.
CT ENT Sinus Center is located on Main Avenue in Norwalk and Summer Street in Stamford.
Sinus conditions' link to mental health issues is not a new observation. Physician's Weekly reported in 2019 that people with chronic sinusitis are at higher risk of depression and anxiety. A study in Korea compared a group of 16,224 people treated for chronic sinusitis with a group of 32,448 "similar people" who did not suffer sinus problems over 11 years and found the sinusitis sufferers were more than 50% more likely to develop depression or anxiety.
Chronic sinusitis affects 28.9 million American adults, or 11% of the adult population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic sinusitis causes 4.1 million doctor visits and more than 230,000 emergency room visits each year.
Chronic sinusitis sufferers may experience nasal inflammation, a runny nose, postnasal drainage, congestion, pain or swelling in the face, headaches, loss of smell and taste, a sore throat, bad breath or fatigue, according to Mayo Clinic.
Balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery, is a procedure used to clear blocked sinuses, which is relatively new, having been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005. It's also commonly referred to as the "smart sinus" procedure, according to Healthline. After a balloon sinuplasty, many people are able to return to their regular activities within a day or two and some even drive themselves home after the procedure.
It's no wonder that balloon sinuplasty is becoming more and more popular. The procedure boasts low risk and quicker recovery than traditional sinus surgery, according to GoodRx. The procedure does not require the removal of any bones or facial tissue, which means most patients experience less pain and swelling and a lower risk of infection.
If you're interested in learning more about diagnosis or treatment for chronic sinusitis, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.