Sinus specialists say there is an association between chronic sinusitis and erectile dysfunction. | PxHere.com
Sinus specialists say there is an association between chronic sinusitis and erectile dysfunction. | PxHere.com
• People who suffer from chronic sinusitis are at risk of developing erectile dysfunction.
• Medications such as Sudafed and other decongestants can also cause erectile dysfunction.
• New treatment options, such as balloon sinuplasty, are available for patients with chronic sinusitis.
Sinusitis can have a negative impact on people’s lives in a variety of ways, according to Dr. Jamie Oberman of Frederick Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, and one area is erectile dysfunction.
"It certainly can be quite debilitating,” Oberman told Maryland State Wire. “The studies show that it contributes to a loss of vitality, productivity and quality of life. You don't have to live with it. There are solutions out there, many of which are very well-tolerated and minimally invasive and almost risk-free."
According to the National Institutes of Health, erectile dysfunction is described as a man’s inability to achieve and maintain an erection that can enable satisfactory sexual intercourse, affecting 5% of men in the U.S., according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
According to a Yahoo Sports, citing a study from Kaohsiung University in Taiwan, men suffering from chronic sinusitis are 50% more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction compared to men who do not suffer from sinusitis. According to the Kaohsiung study, sinusitis causes reduced blood flow in the male genitals.
According to WebMD, patients diagnosed with chronic sinusitis have several options for treatment, including balloon sinuplasty and endoscopy. Endoscopy is a procedure in which a physician inserts a flexible instrument to allow them to see inside the sinus cavity and find the blocked area.
WebMD also noted that doctors don’t have to make any incisions, reducing recovery time. The procedure is done with local anesthesia, so the patient remains awake while blockages and polyps are removed with instruments.
During the balloon sinuplasty procedure, the physician inflates a balloon, which clears the obstruction, enabling the sinuses to drain properly. The procedure is minimally invasive and can be done in the doctor's office, making it relatively easy to recover and return back to work or school.
If you're interested in learning more about diagnosis or treatment of chronic sinusitis, please take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.
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