"Most sinusitis patients come in saying that they're chronic mouth breathers, don't sleep very well, and have other symptoms," Dr. Lee told Patient Daily. "A lot of that just comes down to their nose being plugged and not functioning properly, and that can definitely impact quality of life."
Physical symptoms of chronic sinusitis can include nasal inflammation, runny nose, postnasal drainage, congestion, pain or swelling in the face, headaches, loss of smell and taste, a sore throat, bad breath, or fatigue, according to Mayo Clinic.
People who lose the ability to smell and taste frequently experience decreased appetite and poor nutrition and may be more likely to experience depression, according to Mayo Clinic. Some of these individuals might resort to using excess salt or sugar on food to try to make its taste stronger, which can exacerbate problems with diabetes or high blood sugar. Fortunately, if the issue is due to a sinus infection or other nasal issue, treating the infection will restore the senses of taste and smell.
According to NHS Inform, people experiencing symptoms that haven't improved for more than a week should consult a physician. An ENT specialist might recommend a saline solution or over-the-counter medication, and if those don't help symptoms improve, they might prescribe antibiotics, a corticosteroid spray, or even recommend a sinus surgery procedure.
If chronic congestion has affected your sense of smell or taste, a surgical procedure might help restore those senses while also improving nasal breathing, according to WebMD.
According to Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy's website, Dr. Lee graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He subsequently completed his internship and residency in otolaryngology (head and neck surgery) at the University of Southern California. Dr. Lee was recognized as one of the Valley's "Top Doctors" by Phoenix Magazine in both 2015 and 2016.
