Strong links between depression, sinus congestion, and suicidal thoughts

Conservative News DailyDecember 31, 2022

Between 1-5 percent The American population is affected by “chronic rhinosinusitis” (CRS), a condition where the nose Sinuses are inflamed for at most 12 hours consecutive weeks. It can result in a plugged nose, facial pain, loss of smell, or nasal mucus—or all of the above. It can even cause a plugged nose. percent of U.S. adults have sinusitis—inflamed sinuses—and 8 percent A majority of Americans have seasonal allergic rhinitis. This is also known as hay fever. characterized By sinus inflammation.

Researchers believe the conditions may be connected. depressionAnxiety, fear, and even suicide, although it isn’t clear whether Sinus issues are often preceded or followed by mental health issues.

Study published in The American Journal The study by Rhinology & Allergy revealed that nearly a third of CRS patients also suffered from depression. “independent of other chronic illnesses associated with CRS.” A study published in 2019 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, looked at 16,224 South Korean patients who had CRS and 32,448 who didn’t. After an 11-year follow up, it found that CRS patients were more likely than 50% to develop depression or anxiety.

The study was also published in International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology found that the severity of patients’ CRS—called their “Rhinosinusitis Disability Index”—was correlated with their anxiety and depression score and that the more depressed the patients were, the worse they said their CRS was.

Lifestyle and Medication Considerations

Chronic rhinosinusitis can affect the whole body and cause such comorbid conditions as cognitive dysfunction, diabetes, and sleep disorders caused by nasal obstruction and drainage, researchers The American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy published this article. Sinus and facial pain “impaired olfactory function could impact pleasurable social activities,” The authors noted that productivity at work can also be affected.

Depression can also be linked to comorbid conditions like rheumatoidarthritis, cancer, heart disease, stroke, or coronary heart disease. diabetes.

“Patients with depression may have physiologic effects due to their mental illness or maladaptive behaviors, which increase their risk for developing some conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes,” American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy researchers wrote.

“Comorbid depression has also been shown to impact treatment outcomes in other diseases. Patients with depression have increased death and rehospitalization rates after coronary artery bypass grafting. Within this context, it is not surprising that CRS would be associated with a higher prevalence of depression compared with a group of individuals without CRS.”

There are also similarities in the medications that people with depression or sinus problems may be taking—as well as special risks when psychiatric patients are treated, researchers noted in the journal Allergy Rhinitis

“Psychotropic medications may affect diagnosis of allergies [and] medications used to treat allergies impact mood and behavior,” They wrote.

What are some of these risks?

“Systemic corticosteroids are associated with depression, mania, and psychosis,” “antihistamines may act additively or synergistically with certain psychotropic medications in beneficial (treatment of insomnia, potentiation of anxiolytic effects) or detrimental (worsening of sedation- elevating risk of accidents) [ways].”

Depression is exacerbated by insomnia. “systemic decongestants with alpha-Adrenergic agonist mechanism of action can precipitate hypomania or mania, and exacerbate insomnia and anxiety in vulnerable individuals,” Researchers wrote. Research suggests that antidepressants as well as ADD medications can have additive effects if used with sinus medication.

Researchers who write in the BMJ The concerns were echoed by others.

“The side effect of some antiallergic medications (systemic decongestants, antihistamines, leukotriene inhibitors and corticosteroids) may worsen prosuicidal factors such as night-insomnia, day-somnolence, agitation, anxiety, depression and cognitive disturbance,” They said.

For some, Ragweed and Pollen may be dangerous

Several scientific papers Studies have shown an increase in suicides when ragweed and pollen count rises.

“Based on the influence of cytokines [substances secreted by immune cells] on mood, cognition, and behavior in healthy individuals and patients with medical and psychiatric conditions, the reciprocal immune–brain interactions, and the cytokine expression during allergic reactions, we hypothesized that tree pollen (which peaks in spring) and ragweed pollen (which peaks in late summer/early fall) may act as environmental triggers for suicide in vulnerable individuals,” Researchers contributed to the journal Molecular Psychiatry began in 2005.

Their paper concludes with a stronger hypothesis.

Research published in the BMJWhen pollen levels rise, people with mood disorders are more likely to commit suicide. However, even people without such a history were found to be at greater risk. According to BMJ research, suicides linked to pollen were more common among men than those who are not affected by it. A Japanese study was published in the journal. Environmental Research has shown the contrary.

“Our results indicate that pollen is associated with female suicide mortality in Tokyo,” Researchers wrote.

What are the possible mechanisms that could explain this morbidity from common substances most people consider to be an inconvenience but not a threat?

“There are several possible mechanisms underlying the link between pollen and suicide,” BMJ researchers wrote. “One possibility is that air pollen triggers episodes of seasonal allergic rhinitis, a relatively common condition affecting more than 20 percent of adults with deterioration in their quality of life. In seasonal allergic rhinitis, pollen induces allergy-related cytokine (i.e., Th2 cytokine) production in the nose of individuals who are sensitive to tree pollen.”

The brain can be reached by cytokines found in the nasal cavity. “where they may induce an amplified production of Th2 cytokine that can result in the impairment or inhibition of the limbic structures involved in impulsivity, aggression, anxiety, and especially depression. A recent study of suicide victims found an increased expression of Th2 cytokines in a region of the prefrontal cortex previously implicated in suicide,” According to researchers.

Depression among Sinus Problems Patients

It’s likely that similar mechanisms are at play in those with non-hay fever sinus conditions.

“A systemic inflammatory hypothesis has been proposed, which links inflammatory cytokine levels to depression severity,” Researchers contributed to the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy.

“The proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6 and the neutrophil-chemoattractant interleukin-8 may play a major role in acute sinusitis, as shown in viral and allergic rhinitis,” Researchers contributed to the Journal Korean Medical Science “In chronic sinusitis interleukin-3 dominates the cytokine profiles, giving support to a variety of inflammatory cells.”

Inflammatory cytokines can also be responsible for the development of depression (A cause that was obscured in the now-discredited “chemical imbalance” Theories of depression Food allergies can also lead to depression. inflammation.

Still, there’s a ray of hope for those with sinus issues who are also experiencing depression.

“CRS treatment does seem to improve depression,” Researchers contributed to the journal Current Opinion in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. “depressed patients have a significantly larger economic burden because of their increased healthcare utilization and productivity losses.”

A treatment for a mood disorder can help with allergy symptoms. The two conditions share similar biological actions. some researchers.

And it’s also important to remember that depression can be a natural and expected reaction to many environmental and social conditions that exist today. Despite the drug advertisements that suggest normal emotions should be joyful and exhilarating, there are reasons to feel sad or depressed. There are many factors to consider, including family problems, job and economic stress, as well as diminished dignity and political and social spheres.

Natural Sinus Treatments

According to the Mayo There are many natural and at-home treatments that can be used to treat sinus problems and any depression.

Mayo’s suggestions include: cleaning your nasal passages with nasal lavage; using hot water to inhale; taking a hot bath, where steam can be absorbed; applying warm compresses on your forehead and nose to reduce sinus pressure; taking plenty of fluids; and finally, resting. This speeds up the recovery process from infections.

Probiotics

The probiotics contain symbiotic bacteria that can help with sinus problems. These bacteria are important for digestion and immune function. These beneficial bacteria are found in the environment and foods we eat. A few studies suggests Sterile environments can also be dangerous “clean” Our immune systems can become hypersensitive to substances that we do not encounter often, such as weeds and trees. According to researchers, the “good” Probiotics are an effective way to treat many of these conditions.

In 2021, research was published in the journal The following healthcare states are available: “probiotics may induce the inhibition of adhesion of pathogens to the mucous membranes, the stabilization of tight junctions in the epithelial layer with a reduction in the permeability of the mucosa, the competitive inhibition of pathogens, modulation of the immune system, and the production of various substances toxic to pathogenic microorganisms.”

The researchers believe that probiotic treatment of sinus conditions is particularly promising because the nasal microbiome (or microbiota) has its own unique characteristics, which are different from other parts.

Researchers note that probiotics have been proven to be effective in animal studies. “reduce the inflammatory phenomena of CRS on the mucosa” They believe that research on the nasal microbiota must continue. Many patients would be open to further research.

Martha Rosenberg is a national-recognized journalist and author whose work was cited by National Geographic and the Public Library of Science Biology Biology. Rosenberg’s FDA expose, “Born with a Junk Food Deficiency,” Her reputation as an investigative journalist has been established. She resides in Chicago and has given lectures at many universities across the United States.