Okeechobee Times

• Physical symptoms of sinusitis include nasal inflammation, a runny nose, congestion, headaches and pain or swelling in the face.
• People who have chronic sinusitis are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.
• Balloon sinuplasty is a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure used to clear blocked sinuses.

Chronic sinusitis sufferers not only endure miserable symptoms, they also are more likely than nonsufferers to develop depression and anxiety, a West Palm Beach-based sinus specialist said during a recent interview.

The correlation between chronic sinusitis and mental health issues is well documented, Dr. Cody B. Aull of West Palm Beach Breathe Free told Okeechobee Times.

"There are studies that correlate breathing with everything," Aull said. "It's just a given."

Dr. Cody B. Aull of West Palm Beach Breathe Free | westpalmbeachbreathefree.com

For many patients, chronic sinusitis will naturally trigger depression and anxiety.

"We know that it increases the amount of anxiety a patient feels," Aull said. "That's kind of a no-brainer. If I'm not breathing well right now and I'm trying to do something and I can't breathe and I've got facial pressure, I'm going to be more anxious. How do I present myself with all of that? We don’t need more anxiety in the world that we live in. Obviously, you have chronic sinus issues because you have inflammation throughout your entire face and symptoms like that."

Aull, an otolaryngologist and former Navy flight surgeon who received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of Health Sciences/Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri, specializes in diagnosing and managing ear, nose, sinuses, throat and other conditions.

West Palm Beach Breathe Free is located on North Flagler Drive.

The link between chronic sinusitis and mental health issues is not a new observation. Physician's Weekly reported in 2019 that people with chronic sinusitis are at higher risk of depression and anxiety. A study in Korea compared a group of 16,224 individuals treated for chronic sinusitis with a group of 32,448 "similar people" who did not suffer sinus problems over 11 years and found the sinusitis sufferers were more than 50% more likely to develop depression or anxiety.

Chronic sinusitis affects 28.9 million American adults, or 11% of the adult population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic sinusitis causes 4.1 million doctor visits and more than 230,000 emergency room visits each year.

Chronic sinusitis sufferers might experience 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 the Mayo Clinic.

Balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery, is a procedure used to clear blocked sinuses that is relatively new, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005. It's also commonly referred to as the "smart sinus" procedure, according to Healthline. After a balloon sinuplasty, many people are able to return to their regular activities within a day or two and some even drive themselves home from the procedure.

It's no wonder that balloon sinuplasty is becoming more and more popular. The procedure boasts low risk and quicker recovery than traditional sinus surgery, according to GoodRX. The procedure also does not require the removal of any bones or facial tissue, which means most patients experience less pain and swelling and a lower risk of infection.

Anyone who would like to assess their sinus condition and receive treatment suggestions can take West Palm Beach Breathe Free's online quiz.