Panama City Reporter

Patients suffering from chronic sinusitis have been shown to often have depressive-type symptoms.

According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, major depression impacts 7.1% of the U.S. population. Symptoms of depression can include the inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal, irritability and loss of appetite.

"Nasal obstruction, chronic sinusitis or chronic allergies really affects one's quality of life" Dr. Matthew Blair of the Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus and Allergy Center told the Panama City Reporter. "If you have a poor outlook on life because you're always suffering from allergies or sinus (infections), it's going to affect the rest of your general health. So if you can get your breathing, you can get your nose in tiptop shape, you're gonna feel better, and you want to do more things, and you're going to overall improve your quality of health." 

In a study of 320 patients with sinus symptoms, published in the American Journal of Rhinology, it was observed that depressed chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients reported significantly worse pain -- including pain in bridge of nose, headache and energy level -- than those without depression comorbidity.

Using the Beck Depression Inventory, a self-reporting questionnaire that measures depressive symptoms, scientists discovered that an increased rate of depression was found in participants with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps.

In a larger cohort study with an 11-year follow up, published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, findings reveal that chronic rhinosinusitis sufferers are at a bigger risk for depression, and that depression and anxiety appeared to occur more frequently in patients without nasal polyps compared to those with nasal polyps.

According to Medicine, Chronic rhinosinusitis occurs in 1 to 5% of the population and includes symptoms such as sinus pressure headache and postnasal drip. In an article from the American Family Physician, it is hypothesized that depression may start from failed attempts at medical management or the treatment itself.

Healthline says that balloon sinuplasty is an FDA-approved endoscopic sinus medical procedure for those that have CRS. Approved in 2005, the procedure is minimally invasive. A ear, nose and throat specialist inserts a small balloon into the nose, then expands it to open the sinuses. In a prospective cohort study from Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, improved measurements in quality of life were found following endoscopic sinus surgery.

If you are struggling with chronic sinusitis with depression and want to learn more about treatment options, take our Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.