Recent scientific research has determined that suffering from chronic sinusitis can raise a person's risk for stroke. | Pixabay/Artistic Operations
Recent scientific research has determined that suffering from chronic sinusitis can raise a person's risk for stroke. | Pixabay/Artistic Operations
There is mounting evidence that chronic sinusitis increases a person's risk for stroke.
In 2005, a prospective cohort study from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database concluded that both acute and chronic sinusitis are risk markers for stroke, and they are completely separate from traditional markers for stroke.
“There have been studies showing stroke and chronic sinusitis are related, and chronic sinusitis can increase the risk of stroke,” Dr. Nicola DeLorio of Accent Sinus Center & Head & Neck Group told the Atlantic County Times. “The belief is that it's an inflammatory process where inflammation of the sinuses is experienced on a chronic basis, which relates to localized vessels, and even as far as heart attacks in the carotid artery. Stroke inflammation plays a part in this, so that is why sinusitis is contributing.”
Using data from the national cohort study from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, it has been deduced that chronic sinusitis consistently increases the risk of stroke, regardless of demographic. Further study and meta-analysis review from the Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases supports the fact chronic sinusitis is associated with a higher risk of stroke.
Chronic sinusitis causes symptoms including inflammation of the sinuses, frontal sinus headache, runny nose and severe sinus headache. In order to be considered chronic illness, symptoms need to have lasted longer than 12 weeks, according to Healthline.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of adults who've been diagnosed with sinusitis is estimated to be around 29 million.
The Cleveland Clinic explains that balloon sinuplasty is an Food and Drug-Administration approved, minimally invasive procedure used to treat chronic sinusitis. The procedure is so advanced that it can be done in a medical office setting with no anesthesia.
Sinusitis can be caused by a viral upper respiratory infection or viruses like cold, bacteria, fungus and allergies. It is more common if you have allergies, nasal polyps or exposure to pollutants or tobacco smoke, according to Merck Manual.
If you think you could benefit from a balloon sinuplasty, take this online Sinus Self-Asessment Quiz.
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