Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Sinusitis Affects COPDHow COPD Affects SinusitisDiagnostic ChallengesTreating Sinusitis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Sinusitis Affects COPD
How COPD Affects Sinusitis
Diagnostic Challenges
Treating Sinusitis
Sinusitis(also known as a sinus infection) andchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)are closely linked. On the one hand, COPD increases the risk of sinusitis and can make symptoms worse. On the other, sinusitis can triggerCOPD exacerbationsand worsen breathing problems you already have.
The article describes the symptoms of COPD-associated sinusitis and why they occur. It also explains how sinusitis is diagnosed and treated if you have COPD.
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Symptoms of COPD-Associated Sinusitis
Typically, sinusitis causes congestion, runny nose, sore throat, headache, sinus pressure, cough, phlegm, fatigue, trouble sleeping, and fevers. These symptoms can be amplified when coupled withCOPD symptoms.
Sinusitis can not only trigger a COPD attack but also compound COPD symptoms, leading to wheezing, chest tightness, andtachypnea(rapid breathing).
By way of example:
Sinus Infection Symptoms
Possible Complications
An episode of sinusitis usually starts as a mild infection limited to the sinuses. With COPD, the infection can sometimes spread to the lower airways, causingbronchitis or pneumonia.
Even in the absence of bronchitis or pneumonia, frequent sinus infections can lead to more frequent COPD exacerbations. This places the lungs under an increased inflammatory burden, speeding the progression of COPD and the destruction of lung tissues.
Sinusitis can make COPD worse to the point where hospitalization is needed.
How COPD Causes Sinusitis
There are many explanations as to why COPD and sinusitis are so closely linked.
Sinus symptoms also tend to be worse if you have COPD. This is because COPD causes airway hyperreactivity, making your sinuses extra sensitive to temperature or anything else you might inhale (like perfumes, deodorants, smoke, or dust).
Because of this, symptoms can linger as inhaled irritants become trapped in congested sinuses, extending the illness beyond what someone without COPD might experience.
How Sinusitis Is Diagnosis if You Have COPD
Sinusitis can be difficult to distinguish from a COPD exacerbation, and vice versa, Even so, there are ways to differentiate the two.
For example, fever, nasal congestion, sinus pressure, and a non-productive (“dry”) cough are hallmarks of sinusitis. With COPD, the hallmarks are shortness of breath, wheezing, and a productive (“wet”) cough.
To this end, if you have a fever and nasal congestion but are otherwise breathing OK, your healthcare provider may suspect that sinusitis is the cause.
On the other hand, if you have difficulty breathing but no fever or nasal congestion, your provider might reasonably assume that you are having a COPD exacerbation.
As part of the evaluation, your healthcare provider may perform the following tests and procedures to make the diagnosis:
How to Treat Sinusitis if You Have COPD
There are a few lifestyle changes you can make to ease sinusitis symptoms and prevent the worsening of COPD:
If medications are needed, your healthcare provider may prescribe:
Summary
By treating sinusitis appropriately and taking steps to avoid future episodes, you can better control COPD and avoid disease progression.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Uraguchi K, Kariya S, Makihara S, et al.Pulmonary function in patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.Auris Nasus Larynx. 2018;45(3):476-481.doi.10.1016/j.anl.2017.07.020Yang X, Xu Y, Jin J, Li R, Liu X, Sun Y.Chronic rhinosinusitis is associated with higher prevalence and severity of bronchiectasis in patients with COPD.Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2017;12:655-662.doi.10.2147/COPD.S124248Van gerven L, Steelant B, Hellings PW.Nasal hyperreactivity in rhinitis: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.Allergy. 2018;73(9):1784-1791.doi.10.1111/all.13453
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Uraguchi K, Kariya S, Makihara S, et al.Pulmonary function in patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.Auris Nasus Larynx. 2018;45(3):476-481.doi.10.1016/j.anl.2017.07.020Yang X, Xu Y, Jin J, Li R, Liu X, Sun Y.Chronic rhinosinusitis is associated with higher prevalence and severity of bronchiectasis in patients with COPD.Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2017;12:655-662.doi.10.2147/COPD.S124248Van gerven L, Steelant B, Hellings PW.Nasal hyperreactivity in rhinitis: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.Allergy. 2018;73(9):1784-1791.doi.10.1111/all.13453
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Uraguchi K, Kariya S, Makihara S, et al.Pulmonary function in patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.Auris Nasus Larynx. 2018;45(3):476-481.doi.10.1016/j.anl.2017.07.020Yang X, Xu Y, Jin J, Li R, Liu X, Sun Y.Chronic rhinosinusitis is associated with higher prevalence and severity of bronchiectasis in patients with COPD.Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2017;12:655-662.doi.10.2147/COPD.S124248Van gerven L, Steelant B, Hellings PW.Nasal hyperreactivity in rhinitis: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.Allergy. 2018;73(9):1784-1791.doi.10.1111/all.13453
Uraguchi K, Kariya S, Makihara S, et al.Pulmonary function in patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.Auris Nasus Larynx. 2018;45(3):476-481.doi.10.1016/j.anl.2017.07.020
Yang X, Xu Y, Jin J, Li R, Liu X, Sun Y.Chronic rhinosinusitis is associated with higher prevalence and severity of bronchiectasis in patients with COPD.Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2017;12:655-662.doi.10.2147/COPD.S124248
Van gerven L, Steelant B, Hellings PW.Nasal hyperreactivity in rhinitis: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.Allergy. 2018;73(9):1784-1791.doi.10.1111/all.13453
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