East Panhandle News

• Sinusitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungus and allergies. 
• Symptoms of sinusitis often include yellow or green nasal drainage, facial pressure and pain, nasal congestion, bad breath, coughing up mucus, and in some cases, fever and chills.
• When sinusitis persists for more than three months, it is classified as chronic sinusitis.

Statistically, women may be more susceptible to sinus issues and sinusitis compared to men. According to Dr. Matthew Blair of Gulf Coast Breathe Free, sinusitis should be taken care of early to help long-term health.

“I find that in certain conditions, early intervention is key because once you go down a road where you have had chronic infections for a long period of time, you can actually impede the sinusitis signs permanently,” Dr. Blair told the East Panhandle News. “Early intervention is definitely better than waiting and I find that people who act quickly have usually a better outcome than people who wait.”

Nasal inflammation, also referred to as sinusitis, involves the inflammation or swelling of the sinus lining, according to the American Sinus Institute. This condition can obstruct air passages, leading to increased mucus production and the potential for infection. It's a relatively common issue, often triggered by something as ordinary as the common cold.

Sinusitis tends to affect women more than men, according to JNJ Med Tech. It is estimated that sinusitis affects 16% of women each year, compared to 10% of men. Overall, chronic sinusitis affects 35 million people per year. 

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

While there is no consensus on why women experience sinusitis more frequently than men, several theories have emerged. Some researchers propose that women's greater willingness to report symptoms and seek medical care may contribute to this discrepancy. Additionally, factors such as differences in tobacco susceptibility, hormonal influences, and smaller sinus ostia have been speculated to increase women's overall susceptibility to sinusitis.

Dr. Matthew Blair earned his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Miami, according to the Gulf Coast Breathe Free's website. He obtained his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2010 and completed his internship and residency in otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery at McLaren Oakland Hospital in Michigan. Dr. Blair achieved board certification in 2015.