Christopher Doan, a Family Nurse Practitioner at Del Rey MD, explained that sinusitis involves inflammation of the nasal passages triggered by allergens, often resulting in congestion, sinus pressure, or post-nasal drip. This statement was made on Instagram.
"Sinusitis is basically inflammatory process of the passages inside of your nose," said Doan, MSN, FNP-BC, according to Instagram. "You have structures inside your nose that become inflammatory whenever you're exposed to allergens or anything inside the air that might irritate your nose. Sinusitis is defined as a pocket of symptoms, whether that be nasal obstruction, post nasal drip, runny nose, sinus pressure. Sinusitis is kind of like an umbrella term for those kinds of symptoms."
According to Medscape, sinusitis, also known as rhinosinusitis, is an inflammation of the mucosal lining of the nasal passages and paranasal sinuses. It is frequently caused by infections, allergens, or environmental irritants that trigger mucosal swelling and obstruction. This inflammation leads to symptoms such as nasal congestion, discharge, and facial pressure.
A 2022 study published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy reported that 10.9% of adults globally are affected by chronic rhinosinusitis. The symptoms include nasal blockage, discharge, facial pressure, and reduced smell. The prevalence varied by region with higher rates observed in East Asia and Europe. The findings confirm sinusitis as a widespread condition with consistent symptom patterns.
Another study published by the National Library of Medicine found that patients with chronic rhinosinusitis reported significantly lower physical health scores on standardized quality-of-life measures. Symptoms such as nasal obstruction, facial pressure, and post-nasal drip were associated with reduced daily functioning. The study utilized EQ-5D-5L and SNOT-22 tools to quantify symptom impact.
Doan completed his undergraduate nursing degree at Grand Canyon University and earned his Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with distinction from United States University. He is board certified as a family nurse practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and treats sinus, allergy, and ear-nose-throat (ENT) conditions across Southern California.
Del Rey MD operates locations in Marina Del Rey, Long Beach, and Bakersfield. They offer comprehensive care for sinusitis, nasal obstruction, and ear issues throughout Southern California with a focus on minimally invasive solutions tailored to patient needs.