Nature Coast 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 are more likely than nonsufferers to develop depression and anxiety, a St. Petersburg-based sinus specialist said during a recent interview.

The correlation between chronic sinusitis and mental health issues is well documented, Dr. Mariah Pate of Tampa Bay Breathe Free told Nature Coast Times.

"Depression and sinusitis go hand-in-hand," Pate said. "Your risk of depression and anxiety is so much greater when you have chronic sinusitis."

Dr. Mariah Pate of Tampa Bay Breathe Free | tampabaybreathefree.com

Mental health issues, for many with chronic sinusitis and other sinus conditions, naturally arise from the miserable physical symptoms.

"Many patients with chronic fatigue, not sleeping, not being able to function the way they want to, not being able to breathe – it really wears on them," Pate said. "And it causes these underlying conditions to really get worse."

Treating the physical cause of chronic sinusitis and other sinus conditions can also treat the resulting depression and anxiety.

"Many times, when patients are treated with effective treatment and procedures and they start breathing better and feeling better, they're able to get out and live life and they're able to start staving off those feelings of anxiety and depression," Pate said. "I do notice that a lot of patients' moods will improve after they start breathing and feeling better."

Pate is a surgeon and clinician expertly trained in all areas of the ear, nose and throat specialty, with a focus in sinus treatment areas that include in-office sinus solutions, facial aesthetics, swallowing and voice, thyroid diseases and hearing loss.

Tampa Bay Breathe Free is located on 54th Avenue North in St. Petersburg.

The link between sinus conditions and mental health 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 does not require the removal of any bones or facial tissue, which means most 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 Tampa Bay Breathe Free's online quiz.