East Panhandle News

• Investigations reveal that chronic sinusitis contributes to hypertension
• 2% of men and 4% of women who suffer with chronic sinusitis will experience significant jumps in blood pressure
• Some overlooked symptoms include a dry sinus headache or sinus migraine

Dr. Matthew Blair of Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers agrees with the mounting evidence that supports the theory that how we breathe is essential for our health and well-being. 

It is widely known that breathing is impaired by sinusitis and research by the European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine has shown that chronic sinusitis can contribute to the development of hypertension.

“Nasal obstruction, chronic sinusitis or chronic allergies really affects one's quality of life,” Blair said. “If you have a poor outlook on life, because you're always suffering from allergies or sinus, it's gonna affect the rest of your general health. So if you can get your breathing, you can get your nose in tip-top shape, you're gonna feel better and you want to do more things and you're going to overall improve your quality of health.”

Looking back at history, we can follow evidence from a study conducted by the physiology and cell biology department at Ohio State University that supports the fact that breathing affects our overall health and it has been known that the heart rate increases during breathing in — while arterial blood pressure decreases — and vice versa as we exhale. 

According to the Consequences of Chronic Rhinosinusitis on Blood Pressure study, it was concluded that 2% of men and 4% of women who experience sinus inflammation also experience a significant increase in blood pressure, especially in patient groups over 50 years of age.

Familiar symptoms of chronic sinusitis that may restrict breathing include post-nasal drip and inflamed nostrils, according to Healthline. Symptoms may also be less obviously related to sinus conditions, like dry sinus headache or sinus migraine.

According to a study published in Breathe Journal, there could be use for slow, controlled breathing techniques that lower stress and may be associated with health and longevity. More analysis is required to make a determination, however. 

Sinus inflammation specialists are an imperative resource for sinus inflammation patients who wish to enhance well-being and increase longevity.