PHX Reporter

• Many people may not realize that chronic sinusitis can also affect their mental health.

• Studies have found that people who have chronic sinusitis are at an increased risk for depression and anxiety.

• Balloon sinuplasty is a quick, minimally invasive surgery that can treat chronic sinusitis.    

Dr. John Stewart of Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers says most people might not realize that chronic sinusitis can negatively impact a patient's overall quality of life in a variety of ways.

"Every doctor will tell you that any chronic illness that is impacting someone adversely will affect their emotional state," Stewart told PHX Reporter. "I don't claim to be an expert in depression, but it's not a hard leap to imagine that if you're feeling crummy for an extended period of time, that can have a toll on your overall mental health."  

Studies show that people who have chronic sinusitis could 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 people who didn't have sinus problems. The study found that over the next 11 years, sinusitis sufferers were more than 50% more likely to develop depression or anxiety.

Physical symptoms of chronic sinusitis can include nasal inflammation, a runny nose, postnasal drainage, congestion, pain or swelling in the face, headaches, loss of smell and taste, a sore throat, bad breath or fatigue, according to Mayo Clinic.

One surgical treatment option for chronic sinusitis sufferers is balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that takes only 10 to 15 minutes, and patients typically recover within one to two days, according to Eisemann Plastic Surgery Centers. Most patients can resume their normal activities during that time, although they may experience some swelling for up to a week.

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