Matt D. Hershcovitch, an ENT and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at SoCal Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, said that sinusitis and allergies often occur together, exacerbating each other and complicating diagnosis and treatment. This statement was made on Instagram.
"How can you tell the difference between sinusitis and allergies? It's not easy, and many times you can't and often, frankly, you shouldn't," said Dr. Matt D. Hershcovitch, according to Instagram. "Just because you have one doesn't mean you can't have the other, and probably more often than not, they coexist. Itchy eyes. That's a big clue that there's at least an allergy component. If you're having some of those symptoms and it's not going away with some over-the-counter stuff, you probably should see an ENT."
A study by the University of Washington School of Medicine found that patients with chronic sinusitis show decreased functional connectivity in areas of the frontal lobe. These brain regions are responsible for cognition, introspection, and response to external stimuli. The study concluded that persistent sinus inflammation could have neurological effects beyond the physical symptoms of sinusitis, potentially impacting cognitive performance and emotional processing.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 28.9 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis, accounting for about 11% of the adult population nationwide. The condition is one of the most prevalent chronic illnesses in the U.S., significantly affecting daily life and healthcare utilization.
Data from the CDC indicate that chronic sinusitis results in 4.1 million annual outpatient doctor visits in the United States. Additionally, more than 230,000 emergency room visits each year are attributed to this condition. These figures highlight the high frequency of healthcare encounters and resource demands associated with managing chronic sinusitis.
Dr. Matt D. Hershcovitch is a double board-certified physician specializing in otolaryngology. He earned a degree in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), obtained his medical degree from the State University of New York, completed a residency in Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, and pursued a fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University. Hershcovitch practices at SoCal Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, focusing on minimally invasive treatments for sinus conditions and diseases.
SoCal Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers is a medical practice located in Southern California specializing in treating sinus and allergy issues. The center offers services including sinus infection treatments, balloon sinuplasty, allergy testing, and allergy drops, aiming to provide individualized care for patients. With locations in Burbank and San Diego, the practice is part of the National Breathe Free network, focusing on advanced sinus and allergy treatments.