Maryland State Wire

• Approximately 10 million Americans experience seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder, each year.
• Chronic sinus problems can also increase the likelihood of experiencing depression.
• Depression caused by chronic sinusitis can be treated by addressing the sinus problems.

Millions of Americans experience seasonal depression, also called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), each year. Symptoms can include sadness, sluggishness and weight changes, according to a report from Boston University. SAD typically occurs during the winter, when days are shorter and there is less sunlight than other times of the year. The condition is more likely to affect women than men. Treatments for SAD can include light therapy or traditional treatments such as antidepressants.

Studies have found that people who have chronic sinusitis could also be more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, Physician's Weekly reported. One study compared a group of 16,224 people who were treated for chronic sinusitis with a group of 32,448 "similar people" who did not have sinus problems. The study found that over the 11 years, the sinusitis sufferers were more than 50% more likely to develop depression or anxiety.

A report from Houston Advanced Nose and Sinus found that as many as 25% of people with chronic sinusitis also experience depression, along with more familiar sinus infection symptoms such as headaches, facial pain, a cough and nasal discharge. Depression caused by chronic sinusitis can be treated by addressing the sinus infection through medication or a surgery like balloon sinuplasty.

Dr. James Oberman of Frederick Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers said chronic sinus problems can increase your risk of experiencing depression.

"It certainly can be quite debilitating," Oberman told Maryland State Wire. "The studies show that it certainly 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."

For more information about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.