The relationship between sinus infections and asthma is complex and multifaceted. These conditions are closely linked and can often trigger one another, creating a cycle of symptoms that can be difficult to manage.
What is a sinus infection?
A Sinus infection is also known as sinusitis. This is an inflammation of your sinuses, the cavities around the bones of your nose and eyes. An inflammation causes blockages which prevent proper drainage leading to mucus accumulation.
Sinusitis symptoms
What results is:
- Congestion
- Sinus headache
- Pressure or pain in the face
- In some cases, a fever.
Sinusitis treatment
A sinus infection is treated with an antibiotic, nasal sprays, and in severe cases surgery.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a long-term respiratory condition that causes the airways to become inflamed and narrowed, leading to breathing difficulties.
Asthma symptoms
Symptoms include coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Asthma triggers and treatment
This condition can be triggered by certain factors including exercise, allergies, and a respiratory infection.
Asthma is treated with inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators and other meds.
How sinus infections can worsen asthma symptoms
If you are someone who frequently suffers from sinus inflammations, it may spread to the lower airway and lungs leading to asthma symptoms or it could make them worse. Plus, asthma can also worsen sinus infections.
The two are linked because sinusitis is associated with more severe cases of asthma. Therefore having asthma increases your odds of getting chronic sinusitis. Plus, a sinus infection makes it harder to control your asthma.
They are also linked by shared inflamed pathways and triggers. Sinusitis can exacerbate asthma symptoms through post nasal drip, inflammations, and vice versa.
Shared triggers and symptoms of sinusitis and asthma
Both asthma and sinusitis are triggered by dust, pollen, and pet dander.
Common infections like a cold or the flu can lead to inflammation in both your sinuses and your airways.
Sinusitis causes post nasal drip with mucus running down the back of your throat irritating the airways and triggering coughing, and worsening asthma.
Inflammation caused by sinusitis can travel into the lower respiratory system, where it may trigger asthma symptoms. As mucus accumulates in the airways, it can further restrict airflow and make breathing more difficult.
Asthma weakens the immune system making it more prone to sinus infections. It increases the odds of getting a sinus infection.
A sinus infection makes it harder to control asthma.
Studies show half of people with moderate to severe cases of asthma also experience chronic sinus infections.
When sinus infections and asthma strike together: sinobronchial syndrome
Sometimes a patient can develop Sinobronchial Syndrome. This is when you have both a sinus infection and an asthma attack at the same time. It usually means that the upper and lower airways are interconnected and inflamed. Seek treatment from an experienced ENT specialist.
One other study showed that those who have both asthma and sinus infections seem to have more severe asthma symptoms, have more severe flares, are likely to have sleep problems, and seem to be women.
Find an ENT specialist in your area
Finding ways to control your asthma can help you reduce episodes of sinusitis. An ENT specialist can treat both conditions and help you discover tips to control both.
Find an experienced ENT specialist in your area to take the first step toward relief.
