West Ventura News

For the thousands of people with undiagnosed chronic sinusitis, doing controlled breathing and slowed breathing exercises that improve overall health may be challenging.

According to Mayo Clinic, chronic sinusitis can make it difficult for people to breathe normally and reduce a patient's ability to perform controlled breathing exercises and enjoy the benefits those exercises provide. 

A study from the National Institutes of Health has shown that controlled breathing can help lower stress, relax muscles and improve mood, as it affects respiratory muscle activity, ventilation efficiency and heart rate variability. The study also found that controlled breathing and slow breathing techniques can potentially optimize a person's physiological variables associated with health and  longevity.

“It is scientifically proven that patients with chronic sinusitis also suffer from poor sleep and depression,” Dr. Jeffrey Feinfield of Bella Vista ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery told West Ventura News. 

A report from the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) said that along with the cardiovascular benefits associated with slowed or controlled breathing, these techniques can also be used to optimize the body's ability to handle and manage pain.

"Sinusitis affects so many aspects of patients' lives, from chronic headaches to nasal blockage, and it really, really weighs down someone's quality of life. We can actually relieve that pressure, relieve that pain and get their sinuses functioning again. When you do this, you then have a real happy patient, and that is what I find so rewarding: to be able to finally diagnose and fix a problem," Feinfield said. 

One Bella Vista patient said his quality of life has improved dramatically since seeing a doctor and getting treatment for his sinus issues. "(I felt) miserable, congested all the time, used to get sick quite a bit. Dr. Feinfield is my third sinus surgeon. I'm glad that I met him. I wish I had the surgery done years ago. I could actually breathe. My taste buds are better. I can taste, smell everything. Can't say enough about it. I've had other doctors treat me for nasal drip, thinking it was an antacid and all sorts of other stuff and inhalers that they have me using. Finally Dr. Feinfield performed the surgery, and now I feel normal."

While thousands of people suffer with undiagnosed chronic sinusitis, often confusing it with everyday allergies, taking the quiz from Bella Vista ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery can help determine if seeing a sinus specialist may improve your quality of life.