Maryland State Wire

• Chronic sinusitis affects 28.9 million or 11% of the American adult population.
• Sinusitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungus, and allergies, and when conditions last for more than three months, it is classified as chronic sinusitis.
• Symptoms of sinusitis can include nasal inflammation, a runny nose, postnasal drainage, congestion, pain or swelling in the face, headaches, loss of smell and taste, a sore throat, bad breath, or fatigue.

No matter the severity of the condition or what symptoms present themselves, for a patient dealing with chronic sinusitis, their quality of life will be affected in some way. According to Dr. Stephen Bane of Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, early intervention can help patient quality of life in the long term.

“Early intervention increases your quality of life when dealing with sinusitis,” Dr. Bane told the Maryland State Wire. “In the past, we would sometimes do months of antibiotics, before proceeding to a scan or an endoscopy. We have since found that the patient does better with earlier intervention and fewer antibiotics.”

According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, early intervention for a sinus patient not only increases their immediate quality of life but also improves long-term relief and reduces healthcare costs. 

The study also found that people who suffer from chronic sinusitis are more likely to experience poor-quality sleep. While 8-18% of the general population suffers from sleep disruption, the study found that 60-75% of people with chronic sinusitis experience sleep disruption. The study also found that chronic sinusitis patients who experience sleep disruption are also more likely to experience depression, a decreased quality of life, difficulty concentrating, fatigue throughout the day, and decreased memory and productivity.

Many patients who undergo a minimally invasive surgery to treat their chronic sinusitis also find that, after the surgery, their quality of sleep drastically improves, according to Atlanta ENT. A study of more than 500 patients who underwent sinus surgery found significant improvement in the patient’s sleep quality and overall quality of life.  

Serious complications can result from untreated sinusitis, such as vision loss, or infections in the bones and skin, according to Mayo Clinic. Experts recommend that patients schedule an appointment with a doctor if sinusitis symptoms last more than 10 days, or if the condition doesn't get better with treatment.

According to Capitol Breathe Free's website, Dr. Stephen Bane trained in general surgery at NYU and Bellevue Hospitals in New York. He has been practicing in Woodbridge and has been on staff at Potomac Hospital/Sentara Northern VA Medical Center since 1997. He has served as Chairman of the OR Committee, ENT Section Chief, and Medical Executive Committee, and is currently the Chairman of the Surgical Department. Dr. Bane was recognized as one of Northern Virginia Magazine’s Top Doctors in 2020.