Can Sinus Infection Cause Anxiety?
This is a subject I have a personal interest in because I have been a lifelong sufferer of chronic sinusitis. What are your symptoms like? For me, years ago, I used to get sinus pressure and pain in the area right next to my nostrils and out as far as my cheeks. I would experience facial pain and a stuffy nose. I also had seasonal allergies – hay fever during the summer and dust and mold during the winter. There were times when my sinus pain was so bad that I felt like banging my head against a wall.
As a result of my sinus problems, I have also had to contend with postnasal drip. This is fine most of the time and doesn’t bother me that much. Recently however, I had to have an MRI scan for a different issue and found that my postnasal drip almost caused me to choke while lying on my back for the twenty minutes or so that it took.
My personal experience with the medical profession over the years hasn’t been a good one. Most doctors just prescribe antibiotics. One even attempted to convince me I didn’t have a sinus problem and instead wanted to prescribe valium for a TMJ joint problem.
Personally, what works best for me is Neilmed Sinus Rinse which involves squirting salty water up your nose every night. I also put a frozen bag of peas on my face when I feel my sinus passages become inflamed.
Sinus Issues May Be Linked To Anxiety And Depression
When my sinuses were really bad and I had lots of nasal congestion, it felt like I couldn’t breathe properly. Then I’d wake up the next day and I’d have such a runny nose that I’d easily go through a whole box of tissues. Neither of these symptoms was particularly pleasant and both interfered with my ability to breathe easily.
If you want to experiment with how breathing can cause anxiety, just simply hold your breath for as long as you can. You’ll notice that in the last few seconds before you breathe again, you do start to get a bit panicky.
This has to do with the balance of oxygen to carbon dioxide in your lungs. Everything feels fine as long as oxygen and carbon dioxide are in the correct proportions in your lungs. If you breathe very deeply and quickly for a while, soon, you’ll get lightheaded because you are getting too much oxygen.
On the flip side, if you shallowly breathe for a while, the level of carbon dioxide builds up in your lungs and your mind interprets this as an emergency because you are not getting enough oxygen.
When your nasal passages swell as they do in chronic sinus infections, this constricts your airways. Because of this, you are not getting the normal level of oxygen because inflammation is causing nasal obstruction. This can cause your anxiety levels to increase, sometimes even to the level of an anxiety disorder or panic disorder.
Chronic sinus inflammation can also cause low-grade fever, ear pain, and possibly a sore throat. In the case of chronic acute sinusitis, the frustration this can cause can elevate your stress levels and even cause mood swings which can lead to depression.
Recent studies, such as the one published in The International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, indicate that patients who have chronic sinus problems, or those with significant nasal obstructions (such as nasal polyps) are at greater risk of mental health problems such as anxiety-related issues or depression.
Self-Hypnosis Audio For Reducing Anxiety Symptoms
Self-hypnosis can be a great tool to reduce anxiety and feel calmer every day, even with a sinus problem.
Symptoms Of Sinus Infections
Here are some of the common symptoms of sinusitis
- Pain: people experience this differently. Some feel it like a pressure behind the eyes. For others, it will manifest as a toothache, or, as used to happen to me, where one side of my upper gum would be throbbing with pain.
- Sore Throat: your throat may feel sore or you may feel like you constantly need to clear your throat
- Postnasal Drip: feeling as if there is a constant drip going down from your sinus cavities into your throat
- Weak: you may feel weak or just have a lack of energy
- Fever: you may notice you are a bit hotter than usual, or you may have a full-blown fever
- Smell: if you sneeze or cough, you may notice a smell from your breath.
From having constant sinus infections over the years, my sense of smell has permanently been reduced. My wife would regularly ask me if I can smell something that she can quite easily smell and I’ll just shrug my shoulders and smile. I haven’t lost my sense of smell completely but it certainly is not as good as it was twenty years ago.
Self-Hypnosis Audio For Reducing Anxiety Symptoms
Self-hypnosis can be a great tool to reduce anxiety and feel calmer every day, even with a sinus problem.
Natural Ways To Reduce Sinusitis Symptoms
I have had sinus problems since I was about twelve years of age. Back then, I would go to the doctor and typically be prescribed antibiotics. In rare cases, I would need steroids, painkillers, and anti-inflammatory tablets as well. As an adult, I became a bit more aware of the overuse of antibiotics and I have tried several natural remedies to see if I could manage my sinus symptoms without reverting to medication all of the time. Here are some of the options that have worked for me:
- Dairy Products: I read Patrick Holford’s book “Food Is The Best Medicine” and, as a result, lowered my intake of dairy products.
- Radishes: Using the same book, I started eating radishes which, apparently, are a natural anti-inflammatory.
- Cold Cloth: when my sinuses are inflamed, I use a face cloth soaked in cold water and wrung out and place it over my face. The cold helps to reduce the swelling in my sinuses.
- Saline Nasal Sprays: I have used various saline nasal sprays, nasal rinses, and even a neti pot, which are all great for sinus conditions.
- Nonprescription Decongestants: I’ve found these can be helpful when you start to notice symptoms coming on. They tend to unblock those hollow air spaces in your sinuses and help you breathe better. These aren’t, strictly speaking, natural, however, I believe they are a better option to reduce your nasal symptoms than antibiotics if you can possibly avoid them.
Self-Hypnosis For Panic Attacks
Relaxation techniques have been proven to help with symptoms of anxiety or panic. If you find that you are beginning to suffer from anxiety symptoms as a result of your chronic rhinosinusitis, obviously consult your health care provider to properly diagnose either a viral infection or a bacterial infection.
The natural way to deal with anxiety caused by sinus problems is to listen to self-hypnosis audios such as “Overcome Anxiety” or “Overcome Panic Attacks”. Because these work at a psychological level, there are no pharmaceutical side effects.
Author: Paul Hunter
Although thousands of people read his blog every month, Paul's path to success was not an easy one. Click here to read his amazing story "From Unwanted Baby And Adopted To A Respected Self Help Blogger". If you want to send Paul a quick message, then visit his contact page here
