Nola Reporter

• Studies have shown that sinusitis sufferers are 50% more likely to struggle with depression.
• Sinusitis can put a damper on your quality of life when you are struggling daily.
• Seeking treatment from a specialist can improve your life.

Studies have found that people who have chronic sinusitis could also be more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, according to Physician's Weekly. One study compared a group of 16,224 people who were treated for chronic sinusitis with a group of 32,448 "similar people" who did not have sinus problems. The study found that over the following 11 years, the sinusitis sufferers were more than 50% more likely to develop depression or anxiety.

Sinusitis can lead to loss of cognitive symptoms, and people who lose the ability to smell and taste frequently experience decreased appetite and poor nutrition, and they may be more likely to experience depression, according to Mayo Clinic. Some might use excess salt or sugar on food to try to make it taste stronger, which can cause problems with diabetes or high blood sugar. Fortunately, if the loss of taste and smell is due to a sinus infection or other nasal issue, treating the infection will restore the senses.

Dr. Gregory Pippin of ENT & Allergy of New Orleans says chronic pain that comes from chronic sinus issues can lead to depression. With minimally invasive treatment options, you can improve your quality of life and live in a more positive state of mind.

"Chronic pain will definitely cause chronic depression and can contribute to, or exacerbate, chronic depression," Pippin told Nola Reporter. "If you're constantly preoccupied with the pain, the pressure, you can't breathe at night. If you can never sleep, of course it's going to affect your cognitive function. So it's going to affect your ability to function in daily life because you’re tired."

Seeking treatment from an ear, nose and throat doctor can help if you're struggling with depression caused by sinus issues. There are minimally invasive treatment options available, such as a balloon sinuplasty, which is something offered by ENT & Allergy of New Orleans.

The balloon sinuplasty procedure is completed in-office, and it only lasts about an hour. The preparation takes about 30 minutes and involves anesthetics being applied to the nose for more comfort. A narrow instrument with a balloon is then guided through the sinus, the balloon is gently inflated for five seconds with saline, and when your sinuses open, the balloon is removed. The recovery time is relatively quick, and some patients are able to return to work the following day.

To learn more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.