Understanding Sinusitis — A General Q&A

By David Volpi, M.D., P.C., F.A.C.S.

Do you or someone you know suffer from sinus problems? You’re not alone. Around 40 million people in the U.S. are affected by sinusitis every year, and 33 million cases of chronic sinusitis are reported annually to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What is sinusitis, exactly? What causes it, and what can you do to treat it? Here are some answers to general questions about sinusitis to help you understand it and treat it better. Additional information from entnet.org. 

Q. What causes sinusitis?

A. Sinusitis is caused when the membranes lining the sinuses become inflamed as a result of infection by a virus or bacteria. Inflammation is usually due to the blockage of the small drainage pathways that lead to the nasal passages. This, in turn, causes inflammation of the sinuses, which prevents proper drainage.

Q. What are common symptoms of sinusitis?

A. Common symptoms of sinusitis include runny nose/nasal drainage, difficulty breathing through the nose, cough, headaches, sore throat, postnasal drip, bad breath, facial and upper jaw pain, sensitive eyes, swelling of the eyelids, teeth pain, fatigue, and fever.

Q. What is acute and chronic sinusitis?

A. Acute sinusitis usually doesn’t last more than four weeks, and the condition responds well to antibiotics and decongestants. Chronic sinusitis is a more severe version of sinusitis, and is characterized by at least four recurrences of acute sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis may persist from a few weeks to several months to even years. When sinus symptoms last longer than 12 weeks, you should see an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor for a diagnosis.

Q. What is the difference between chronic sinusitis and allergies or colds?

A. Sinusitis is often caused by allergies and colds. Colds and allergies often result in inflamed sinuses, causing the sinus openings to become blocked. This prevents normal mucus drainage and can result in sinusitis.

Q. How is sinusitis generally treated?

A. The first course of action in treating sinusitis should be natural therapies such as inhaling steam or using saline nasal sprays. In more severe cases, an ENT doctor can do a proper diagnosis and prescribe medications such as antibiotics or nasal steroid sprays. However, some clinical studies have shown that some chronic sinusitis patients do not respond to medical therapy. In some cases, an ENT doctor may recommend sinus surgery.

Q. What is done during sinus surgery?

A. When sinus surgery is needed, the physician will remove bone and tissue to enlarge the sinus opening with the objective of clearing blocked sinuses and restoring normal sinus drainage. Depending on Recovery of this procedure is usually associated with some pain and scarring.

Another option is balloon sinuplasty, which is a minimally invasive procedure that ENT doctors use to treat patients with chronic sinusitis. A tiny balloon is placed into the nose to reach the blocked sinuses and then inflated to restructure the sinus opening. The procedure is comparatively safe, effective and has a quick recovery time.

If you are suffering from sinus problems, talk to a qualified ENT doctor about getting a proper diagnosis, and exploring all of your sinus treatment options and ask what type of sinus therapy is best for you.

New study says stress can worsen allergy symptoms

By David Volpi, M.D., P.C., F.A.C.S. 

As a practicing otolaryngology surgeon for more than twenty years at New York’s finest teaching hospitals, I’ve seen firsthand the effect that the mind can have on the body.  That’s why I wasn’t surprised to read a recent study claiming that persistent stress can worsen allergy symptoms.

The study, which was published in the April issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), made the point that stress doesn't cause allergies, but avoiding it and staying calm can reduce allergy flare-ups this spring.

Stress doesn’t cause allergies, but easing your mind might mean less allergy flare-ups this spring. According to a study, allergy sufferers with persistent stress experience more allergy flares.

For the study, researchers from The Ohio State University analyzed 179 patients for 12 weeks. While stress doesn’t cause allergy symptoms, the researchers found that almost 40 percent of the people they studied experienced more than one allergy flare, and that this same group claimed to have higher stress levels than the group that did not experience any allergy symptoms. Among the allergy sufferers, 64 percent had more than four flares over two 14 day periods.

The researchers did not find a concrete connection that stress can cause an allergy flare up on the same day, however, some of the allergy sufferers said that they had allergy flare-ups within days of experiencing an increase in daily stress.

Amber Patterson, MD, allergist, lead study author and a member of the ACAAI explains, "Stress can cause several negative effects on the body, including causing more symptoms for allergy sufferers. Our study also found those with more frequent allergy flares also have a greater negative mood, which may be leading to these flares."

Patterson also said that, "Symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes can cause added stress for allergy sufferers, and may even be the root of stress for some. While alleviating stress won't cure allergies, it may help decrease episodes of intense symptoms."

Here are some ways that allergy sufferers can help reduce stress and potentially their allergy symptoms: 

•    Deep breathing and meditation

•    Reducing or eliminating known stressors in your life

•    Taking time to relax and de-stress from work and other responsibilities

•    Eating healthy and getting enough sleep and exercise

•    Reducing or eliminating toxins such as cigarettes and alcohol

•    Asking for help whether from a social worker, family member, or colleague

If you have persistent symptoms, it’s important to determine if you have allergies or a more severe condition such as a sinus infection. A qualified ear, nose, and throat doctor can provide a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment program based on your individual needs.

Read the full study.