When you suffer from chronic sinusitis (a chronic sinus infection), you spend a lot of time feeling miserable. Your face hurts, you’re congested and you’ve most likely got a thick, yellowish mucus draining out of your nose.
While the symptoms of chronic sinusitis are usually obvious and the discomfort it causes is often easy to see, the problem often has other far-reaching effects on your overall quality of life. It’s not just your nose and face that suffer when you’re dealing with ongoing sinus problems. The issue can affect your ability to work, enjoy life and even pay your bills. Here are a few unexpected ways that chronic sinusitis can affect you.
Reduced Productivity
When you’re dealing with a constant, persistent feeling of pain and pressure in the facial area, you’re going to find it difficult to concentrate on certain tasks. People who have chronic sinus problems often complain of feeling as if their brains are surrounded by a fog.
That brain fog can interfere with your ability to get stuff done. You might stay home from work or miss school because you just don’t feel well. Or, you might go into the office or to class, but struggle to focus on the tasks before you.
Increased Costs
Chronic sinusitis makes life more expensive. For one thing, there are the missed days at work that you need to account for, especially if you don’t get paid sick days.
Then there are the costs of trying to treat the problem and relieve your discomfort. You might invest in products such as a humidifier or neti pot to keep your nasal passages moisturized. You might also have to pay for prescription antibiotics if the condition is caused by a bacteria.
Depending on the severity of the sinusitis, you might end up having to pay for surgery to finally get a break from your symptoms.
Reduced Enjoyment
When you feel miserable, you’re less likely to find joy in the things that you used to love. One study of people with chronic sinusitis found that more than one-third of them reported a negative impact on their social and leisure activities. Along with hobbies and leisure activities, more than a third of respondents noted a decline in the quality of their sex lives as well.
Lack of Sleep
Another common problem experienced by people with chronic sinus infections is a reduced ability to sleep. Either people are unable to get a full night’s sleep or their sleep quality declines significantly. There are a few reasons for this problem. The congestion associated with chronic sinus infections can make it difficult to breathe, which can make it difficult for you to drift off.
Additionally, there might also be an increased risk for sleep apnea among people with chronic sinus problems. When you have sleep apnea, your breathing is interrupted throughout your sleep. People with the condition don’t sleep as deeply as they should and often wake up briefly throughout the night.
If sleep is troublesome for you, there are a few things you can do to improve the situation. Some patients find that propping up their head helps to improve drainage and reduce congestion in the nose. Using a humidifier in the room at night can also help to keep your nasal passages moist, reducing sleep issues.
You Don’t Taste or Smell Like You Used To
When you’re chronically congested, smelling and tasting becomes difficult. That might not seem like a big deal, but taste and smell impact your ability to enjoy food. If you can’t taste what you’re eating or smell it, you might eat less than you need to. Alternatively, you might start to eat more unhealthy foods that contain more salt and sugar to enhance their flavor while reducing their nutritional quality.
ABOUT DR. RUBINSTEIN
Dr. Rubinstein has nearly sixteen years of experience helping patients with chronic sinusitis in the Hudson Valley. A board-certified facial plastic surgeon and board-certified otolaryngologist, he has extensive knowledge of laser procedures, facial plastic surgery, and nasal and sinus treatments, which allows him to improve aesthetics as well as the functionality of the nose and facial features. Dr. Rubinstein received his board certifications through the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. To learn more about your treatment options for chronic sinus infections, schedule an appointment with Dr. Rubinstein at the Hudson Valley Sinus Center in Newburgh, NY by calling 845-562-6673.