Stubborn Stuffy Nose Could Lead to Depression

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A persistent stuffy nose and headache could mean sinusitis -- and, as new research suggests, a possible forecast of depression.

Depression in sinusitis patients is more common than is reported, new research indicates.  Out of 73 studied patients, only 9.6 percent reported a history of depression. Tests revealed 20.5 percent of the study’s participants had a major depressive disorder. Objective screenings and patient health questionnaires helped researchers identify the gap.

Quality of life was worse in patients who demonstrated signs of depression, with increased bodily pain and lower scores on physical and social functioning. Experts point out these consequences to highlight the impact of depression on head and neck diseases, a little understood problem.

Rhinosinusitis is a condition in which nasal passages become swollen and inflamed, causing mucus build-up. It can cause difficulty breathing through the nose, swollen facial features and headache, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is considered chronic when the symptoms last at least eight weeks or continually come back.

SOURCE: Presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery Foundation annual meeting in San Diego, CA, 2009

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