Sinusitis and Mental Health FAQ
Sinus symptoms get worse under Stress – Stress Reduction for Sinusitis Relief
Editor’s note: Murray Grossan is a noted ENT specialist practicing in Los Angeles CA
Index
- I may be imagining it but it seems to me , I get sinusitis when I am stressed, depressed, or depleted in some way- your comments please?
- So, what can I do? There is a lot of stress in my life.
- What could be going on in my body to cause my sinuses to kick up?
- I seem to get sinusitis around bouts of PMS-again my imagination or some basis in fact?
- So what would you recommend that I do to avoid sinusitis -and getting so stressed?
Q. I may be imagining it but it seems to me , I get sinusitis when I am stressed, depressed, or depleted in some way- your comments please?
A. Any illness is made worse by depression. The white cells that defend the body actually become weaker. The chemicals that make up the defense system are changed. There is a whole science being explored which supports this line of thinking. This is the field of Psychoneurobiology, which deals with how our emotions affect our well being. How stress, anxiety can make us ill. Our emotions can effect the immune system, the endocrine system and the neurological system. Dr Spiegel in 1989 showed that women with breast cancer who attended weekly support groups had a survival rate twice that of those that didn’t attend a group. The supported women survived 36 months versus 18 months. Recent studies have shown important chemical differences in those that attended support groups and were given stress reduction training. So depression affects you in 3 areas – the immune, the endocrine and the neurologic . Remember that stress is how you interpret the situation, not the situation itself. The phone ringing doesn’t make you ill, your anticipation that this might be bad news is what does it.
Q. So, what can I do? There is a lot of stress in my life.
A. A major help is an exercise program. The more you get the heart rate up and move, the better. You can use the 10-step method described at Ent-Consult.com.This combines the benefits of mirror biofeedback, correct breathing, repetition and guided imagery. Price is right -it’s free.
Q. What could be going on in my body to cause my sinuses to kick up?
A. That can be one of a hundred things. First thing is to get a bloodtest – are you anemic? Allergic? Is there an anatomic problem?Do you blow your nose too hard? If people rubbed their eyesthe way some people blow their nose they would be blind. Isthere a source of irritation in your bedroom? Molds, dustmites, perfumes. You can use the check list provided by Dr Tichenor at Sinuses.com.
Q. I seem to get sinusitis around bouts of PMS-again my imagination or some basis in fact?
A. This is not uncommon. Usually this is felt as a headache. It is due to water retention. Try going on a low salt diet starting 10 days before your period.
Q. So what would you recommend that I do to avoid sinusitis -and getting so stressed?
A. Try the exercise program, the 10 step relaxation program at Ent-Consult.com< and review Dr Tichenor’s sinus program at Sinuses.com.
Dr. Grossan is one of the USA’s leading medical experts on Sinusitis. Dr Grossan is the creator of the pulsatile nasal irrigator attachment to Waterpik, an award winning medical device and subject of numerous research studies over the past 20 years. For more information on Dr. Grossan see his bio. Dr Grossan’s Web site is at Ent-Consult.com.