Can Thyroid Issues Cause Sinus Problems
Post-nasal drip, sinus headaches, and nasal congestion are symptoms that most people experience at some point in their lives. Yet, people with thyroid disease may be more likely to have these symptoms. Here is a look at why your sinus troubles may be yet another symptom of hypothyroidismâas if there weren’t already enough!
Demographics Comorbidities And Disease Severity
Symptoms of depression were evaluated by using the Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition .13 The BDI-II is a 21-item, self-reporting questionnaire that quantifies depressive symptoms over the past 2 weeks. The BDI-II is one of the most widely used instruments for detecting and quantifying the severity of depressive symptoms in normal and depressed populations, and has high internal consistency and reliability. Scores are generally classified as the following: 013, minimal or no depression 1419, mild depression 2028, moderate depression and 2963, severe depression.14,15 Subfactor analysis was performed to determine the impact of CRS on somatic and cognitive subdomains.15,16
Allergies And The Power Of Histamines
Having an allergy to something means that your immune system is having a strong reaction to a foreign substance thats found its way inside your body. This substance can come from your food, the pollen in the air, or even pet dander. When your immune system encounters this unfamiliar substance, your body releases histamines to combat these unruly invaders. Histamines actually cause the symptoms that we associate with allergies, such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and sinus congestion.
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Sinus Infection And Neck Pain: Is There A Correlation
People with allergies or chronic colds understand that sinus infections can be a real pain in the neck. Most cases of acute sinusitis get better on their own. Your doctor may recommend treatments to help relieve sinusitis symptoms, but acute sinusitis can cause potentially dangerous complications. Read on if youre wondering if sinus infections can cause neck pain.
How Is Acute Sinusitis Diagnosed
Acute sinusitis is usually diagnosed by discussing all of your symptoms and medical history with your doctor. In a physical exam, your doctor will look at the ears, nose, and throat to check for any blockage, swelling, and drainage. If allergies are suspected, your doctor will can have an allergy test performed to determine what allergens might be the cause of your sinusitis.
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How Do I Know If My Headache Is Migraine Or Sinus Headache
So, how do you know if your headache is migraine and not sinus? Go beyond the nasal and sinus congestion and the facial pain and pressure look for a headache associated with the inability to function normally at work, school, home or social functions, nausea, sensitivity to light and triggers such as weather change, menstrual cycle, and stress . Significantly, it is commonly thought that weather change often causes sinus headache when weather change is a common trigger for migraine.
You can also ask yourself the following questions from the ID Migraine Questionnaire developed by Dr. Richard Lipton of Albert Einstein College of Medicine:
- In the past three months, how disabling are your headaches? Do they interfere with your ability to function?
- Do you ever feel nausea when you have a headache?
- Do you become sensitive to light while you have a headache?
If you answer yes to two of the above three criteria, migraine is likely 93% of the time. If you answer yes to all three, a migraine diagnosis is 98% likely.
The American Migraine Foundation is committed to improving the lives of those living with this debilitating disease. For more of the latest news and information on migraine, visit the AMF Resource Library. For help finding a healthcare provider, check out our Find a Doctor tool. Together, we are as relentless as migraine.
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Can A Sinus Infection Affect Your Mood
Yes, especially if youre in pain.
Many people in pain become irritated, annoyed, frustrated, or even sad, depressed, and heavy-hearted. Infections can really mess with your mood, and like I said earlier, sinus infections are not the exception.
There are many different things that could happen to your mood if you are suffering from an infection. Everybody is different. Some people develop more anger, others get anxious, some get just plain irritated, others get sad and sometimes even depressed.
There are so many different ways of having a sinus infection could affect your mood, although typically all of them are not considered good ways. The ones I wrote about above are just a few feelings having a sinus infection could bring on, and just a few ways that having a sinus infection could affect your mood. It could go in many different directions, depending on who you are, but having an infection almost never affects your mood in a positive way, usually only negative.
But, if you experience any of these mood changes due to a sinus infection , just remember its not you. Its the infection causing it, and hopefully with treatment, when the physical symptoms get better, the mental and emotional ones will too.
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Sinus Problems Tied To Higher Risk Of Depression Anxiety
People who suffer from a common chronic sinus disorder may be more likely than those who dont to develop depression and anxiety, a Korean study suggests.
Researchers focused on chronic rhinosinusitis, which happens when the cavities around the nasal passages are inflamed and swollen for at least 12 weeks. Symptoms can include facial pain and headaches, nasal obstruction and an impaired sense of smell.
The condition has long been linked to a lower quality of life and problems with physical, social, emotional and cognitive functioning, researchers note in JAMA Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. Even though depression and anxiety commonly accompany chronic rhinosinusitis, its unclear whether the mental health issues preceded or followed the sinus issues.
Up to 15 percent of adults suffer chronic rhinosinusitis at some point in time, previous research suggests.
The current study focused on 16,224 South Korean patients treated for chronic rhinosinusitis from 2002 to 2013 as well as a comparison group of 32,448 similar people who didnt have this issue. None of them had a history of depression or anxiety.
During 11 years of follow-up, patients with chronic sinusitis were over 50 percent more likely to develop depression or anxiety.
Patients who also have mental health problems usually show significantly worse pain and energy levels, as well as difficulty with daily activities, than do patients . . . without mental health problems, Kim said by email.
Ph: Tell Us About Your Health Story
I am usually very healthy and active. However, since moving to NYC I tended to get sick around the same time every year . In 2015, I got sick and never got better. I had headaches, intense sinus pressure, and fatigue. I later found out, that much of this fatigue was due to work-related stress.
I saw three GPs, five specialists, had X-rays, CAT scans, MRIs and even an operation on my sinuses and nothing helped. Because each specialist was treating me in their specialized area, vs. connecting the dots and looking at the bigger picture, none of them were improving my quality of life. It was like the healthcare version of pass the buck.
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What Are The Nasal Symptoms Caused By Anxiety
Too much stress can affect your overall mental and physical health. You might no longer be able to focus on a particular thing at a time. Your mind will always be fleeting, calculating and analyzing things.
You might not any longer enjoy any good moments even when youre present there. These are some of the common issues you face mentally while under stress.
But with physical symptoms, it sometimes becomes hard to tell or differentiate the symptoms, whether its stress-related or due to allergies or cold.
Having said that, there are several ways that constant stress and anxiety affect the nose, like:
Your Sinus Health And Your Mental Health Are Intertwined
A stuffy nose that lasts for months is enough to get anyone a little down. Still, its surprising to discover that depression affects as many as one-fourth of people with chronic sinusitislong-lasting inflammation of the sinuses. Thats a lot of distress for an illness that many people consider a minor nuisance rather than a major threat.
Whats the connection between your sinus health and your mental health? Heres what recent research shows.
Sinus Problems Get You Down
Many sinusitis sufferers will tell you that its not such a minor blip after all. Chronic sinusitis may cause long-term nasal stuffiness, thick nasal discharge, a reduced sense of smell, and a feeling of pain or pressure around the eyes, nose, or forehead. Other possible symptoms include postnasal drip, coughing at night, ear fullness, jaw aches, sore throat, bad breath, and tiredness.
Together, these symptoms may trigger or worsen depression in several ways:
- As the weeks drag on, the discomfort may take a toll. If youre prone to depression, the added stress may make it worse.
- Many people with chronic sinusitis have allergies. Studies show that allergies and depression may be linked, most likely through inflammation-promoting immune substances that are released during an allergy attack.
- Sleep problems are common in people with chronic sinusitis, and lack of good-quality sleep may further wreck your mood.
Depression Is a Pain in the Sinus
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What Is Ballon Sinuplasty
A non-invasive surgical procedure called Balloon Sinuplasty can help relieve symptoms of chronic sinusitis and, in turn, reduce the likelihood you will experience depression or anxiety as a result. Unlike traditional sinus surgery, which involves cutting and removal of bone and tissue, Balloon Sinuplasty relies on a catheter outfitted with a balloon on the tip.
The catheter is gently inserted through the nasal passages into the cavity and the balloon is inflated, widening the nasal passages and allowing fluid buildup the ultimate cause of infection to drain. The majority of patients undergoing this relatively simple procedure experience long-term relief.
Depression May Be Biggest Cause Of Lost Productivity With Sinus Problems
By Madeline Kennedy, Reuters Health
4 Min Read
– – Pain and other symptoms of chronic sinus problems might cause sufferers to miss work or school but depression is their biggest source of lost productivity, a small study suggests.
Chronic rhinosinusitis , or long-lasting sinus swelling, is often caused by infection, growths in the sinuses or nose injury and can seriously affect peoples quality of life, the study team writes in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
In addition to facial pain and difficulty breathing through the nose, CRS can cause emotional symptoms like depression, the researchers add, and treatment in the future may need to focus more on these issues.
We found that it was more severe depression symptoms that were associated with missing work or school due to CRS, said senior author Dr. Ahmad Sedaghat, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
These findings were extremely surprising because none of the symptoms typically associated with sinusitis were associated with patients missing work or school, Sedaghat told Reuters Health by email.
More than 12 percent of U.S. adults have chronic sinusitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Lost productivity due to missed work or school, or to showing up while sick, as well as lost productivity at home because of sinusitis are estimated at $10,000 per patient each year, the authors write.
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Pain Tenderness Or Pressure Around The Face
Some people believe that our sinuses are only in the nose. However, these sacs spread out around the entire nasal area and cover the space from the lower forehead all the way to the front of the cheekbones.
Because they cover a good portion of the face, you could feel pain all over this area. As mucus accumulates in the nasal passages, it may push on your nerves. As a result, you may feel tenderness, pressure, or heaviness in your face.
Can An Infection Cause Anxiety
Yes, an infection can cause anxiety, especially in cases where its chronic, where you already suffer from anxiety, or where the pain, and/or other symptoms, are at a high level. When somebody suffers from an infection, it is more likely that they will develop some type of anxiety.
There are many causes of this. Some come with anxiety listed as a symptom. Some cause anxiety due to the amount of pain or hurt they cause. After a while, that pain and hurt becomes emotional as well as physical, which can cause anxiety.
Some cause anxiety due to the fact that the person already suffers from anxiety and the infection just adds to the amount of stress they feel, so their anxiety worsens.
There are many more reasons as well, but those are just a few ways an infection can cause anxiety.
Now, lets talk about the big question were here to answer today.
Weve just talked about how infections can cause anxiety in some people, but lets get more specific, and ask the question, can sinus infections cause anxiety?
Lets discuss this and find out the answer now.
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What You Can Do About A Sinus Infection
The first thing you should do for a sinus infection is to go see your doctor. They may want to start you on antibiotics for the infection. But if you dont want to do that or cant do that, here are some things you can do yourself to try to get rid of a sinus infection.
1. Nasal Washing
Wash out the inside of your nose with warm saltwater. This will flush out irritants and excess mucus that may be in there.
2. Drink Fluids
Drinking extra fluids each day will cause the mucus to thin, and itll be easier to flush out of your nose and sinuses.
3. Apply Hot or Cold Packs
Applying heat may make you feel more comfortable, as it may help with the pain, easing it, and lower your pain level. Some people find ice packs do the same thing in some cases. It really depends on who you are and what helps you. So if youre not sure which one might help you, try them both, and decide for yourself.
There are many things you can do for a sinus infection, but if you are just looking to relieve some of your symptoms, these are things you can do to do that, that have been very effective for people in the past.
Tip: Chinen salt is healthier than regular table slat.
Remember, these arent always a substitution or replacement for medication, especially if you have a chronic sinus infection that probably will not go away on its own. See your doctor if you believe you may have a sinus infection, as they may want to start you on medication to treat it.
When To See A Doctor
Usually, ear problems related to a sinus issue arenât severe and donât last long. Most of the time, they go away on their own. See your doctor if:
- You have a fever.
- You have head, face, or ear pain, or swelling that doesnât get better with non-prescription medication.
- Your symptoms last for more than a week or keep coming back.
Show Sources
American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery: âSinusitis â âDizziness and Motion Sickness â and âSinus Pain: Can Over-the-Counter Medications Help?â
Divers Alert Network: âEars and Sinuses Instructions for Equalizing Ears and Sinuses.â
Harvard Medical School, Womenâs Health Watch: âWhat to Do About Sinusitis.â
Tampa Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates: âSinusitis.â
Lindsey, H. ENT Today, July 2009.
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How Anxiety Affects Your Nose
- Anxiety can both affect your nose and cause different nasal symptoms.
- Runny nose and tingling are only a few of the conditions that anxiety can trigger.
- Some people can also develop different types of nasal tics with anxiety and stress.
- Basic anxiety reduction strategies can typically improve some nasal symptoms.
- Long term anxiety reduction is the only way to get anxiety nose symptoms to decrease.
Chronic Sinusitis Nearly Doubles Risk Of Depression And Anxiety
- On February 21, 2019
Anyone who has dealt with sinus pain and pressure knows that its uncomfortable, unpleasant and a major inconvenience. A new study out of South Korea finds that the consequences of chronic sinusitis are even worse than previously thought: chronic sinus sufferers are more than 1.5 times more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. Its even more likely if you are also dealing with nasal polyps.
Chronic sinusitis has been linked to depression and anxiety before, but this 11-year study of over 48,000 South Koreans brings the challenges of living with chronic sinusitis into clear focus.
Living with chronic sinusitis is not your only option. At South Texas Sinus Institute, we solve sinus problems. Our team of specialists, led by Dr. Vincent F. Honrubia, M.D. F.A.C.S., can diagnose and treat your chronic sinusitis with a variety of treatment options including the innovative Honrubia Technique for Balloon Sinuplasty.
Dont suffer another day with the consequences of chronic sinusitis. Request an appointment with STSI online or call 661-8200 today.
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What Is Depression Can A Chronic Sinus Infection Cause Depression
Depression is a mental health disorder that causes a persistently depressed mood and/or loss of interest in activities. Lots of people believe depression is just being persistently sad, but its much more than that. Its very deep sadness, while also feeling numb, with nothing bringing you joy, and having a lack of motivation to do anything. Depression is a mental disorder than some people find hard to deal with, but like anxiety, its not impossible.
Now that weve talked about what depression is, lets answer the main question at hand. Can a chronic sinus infection cause depression?
Well, the truth is, chronic anything can cause depression. When it comes to chronic illnesses, no matter what type of illness, it is possible that it will cause depression, and this is no exception.
This doesnt mean that if you have a chronic sinus infection, you will automatically develop depression. This just means its more likely you will develop depression when you have a chronic sinus infection, or any chronic infection or illnesses, as when you deal with something that is possibly very painful and bothersome, it is likely you will develop depression.
Now that weve talked all about the possible effects a sinus infection can have on a person, both physically as well as mentally and emotionally, lets discuss what you can do about a sinus infection, and how you can possibly lessen the severity of your symptoms, and what you can do to get your body through it easier.