ENT, SINUS & ALLERGY HEALTH BLOG
Sinus sufferers might be able to minimize cardiovascular problems associated with chronic sinusitis by practicing breathing exercises.
According to Dr. Manish Khanna of Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, people often attempt to minimize their symptoms by taking massive doses of decongestants.
"It becomes a concern on older patients," Khanna said. "Decongestants like Claritin D treat a symptom, but they're not treating the problem. So if patients take tremendous amounts of those, it can raise their blood pressure and that is a risk factor for stroke.
Khanna also noted that there's a link between the use of oral steroids meant to alleviate sinusitis symptoms and elevated blood sugar levels.
"There is also a correlation between a chronic state of inflammation and increased blood sugar in our blood," Khanna said. That inflammation and the steroids often prescribed to treat it are "big correlates" to the earlier onset and greater severity of diabetes, he said.
Alternate nostril breathing was shown to be the only breath exercise that had a positive effect on cardiovascular function, significantly reducing heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure in a 2013 study, according to a Healthline report.
"You can practice alternate nostril breathing on your own, but you may want to ask a yoga teacher to show you the practice in person so you can make sure you’re doing it correctly," the Healthline report suggested.
Another 2017 study in Healthline examined the effect of pranayama, a type of breathing exercise, on the lung capacity of professional swimmers and found that it also improved respiratory endurance.
Additionally, according to Healthline, lowering your heart rate can be beneficial for cardiovascular health.
According to a 2006 study, performing a slow yogic breathing, such as alternate nostril breathing, can significantly reduce the heart rate and average breathing rhythm.
People who are having breathing troubles, interested in evaluating their symptoms and considering seeing a physician are invited to take Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers' Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.