Believe it or not, chronic sinusitis is correlated with erectile dysfunction (ED). The connection is believed to be due to a higher risk of cardiac events in men with chronic sinus problems. Cardiac health is a strong predictor of erection health. The good news is, sinusitis, heart disease, and ED can all be successfully treated.
For most men, a persistent runny nose might be a sign that they’re suffering from a cold or sinus infection. It’s likely that few, if any, of those men would see that runny nose as a warning that erection problems might lie just ahead. However, it turns out that such a link does exist, and it’s one that’s been getting a fair bit of attention since a recent research study revealed the surprising association between chronic rhinosinusitis and erectile dysfunction.
MayoClinic.org defines chronic rhinosinusitis, also known as chronic sinusitis, as a relatively common condition “in which the cavities around nasal passages (sinuses) become inflamed and swollen for at least 12 weeks, despite treatment attempts.” Because this condition interferes with drainage and can lead to a buildup of mucus, it can make breathing through your nose difficult, if not impossible.
Taiwanese Research Team
The study suggesting a link between chronic sinusitis and erectile dysfunction was conducted by a group of ear, nose, and throat specialists at Taiwan’s Kaohsiung Medical University. In late summer 2016, it was previewed online in advance of eventual publication in the professional journal “Scientific Reports.”
The Taiwanese research team gathered data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. It first identified 14,039 individuals, 30 or older, who had been given a primary diagnosis of chronic sinusitis between the years 1997 and 2007. Researchers then identified 140,387 sex- and age-matched controls, with whom to compare the ED risk of those diagnosed with chronic sinusitis.
ED Risk Increased Significantly
Of those diagnosed with chronic sinusitis, 2.1 percent developed erectile dysfunction during a mean follow-up period of 3.2 years. The incidence of ED among the sex- and age-matched controls was 1.2 percent during a mean follow-up period of 2.97 years. This data indicated a significantly higher risk of ED among men diagnosed with chronic sinusitis.
Surprisingly similar results were obtained from a smaller-scale study conducted by researchers at Turkey’s Celal Bayar University and published in the March/April 2011 issue of the “American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy.” For that study, the research team identified 33 male patients suffering from chronic sinusitis because of nasal polyps that obstructed normal breathing. They were compared with 30 randomly selected male control subjects.
Polyp Removal Eases ED Symptoms
The incidence of ED among the patients with nasal polyps and chronic sinusitis was much higher than among the control patients. However, after the 33 patients with nasal polyps had those polyps removed through functional endoscopic sinus surgery, their symptoms of ED were significantly reduced when tested six months after surgery.
Part of the rationale for the Taiwanese study was the recognition that patients with chronic sinusitis have an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events — heart attacks and strokes. And it has long been observed that the risk factors for ED and cardiovascular disease are closely related. To see what, if any, association existed between chronic sinusitis and ED, the scientists decided to conduct their study.
These findings also are important for men who are looking for ways to reduce their risk of ED or relieve its symptoms [Link to Hub Page: Erectile Dysfunction’s Alternative Treatments: What Works and What Doesn’t?].
Chronic Sinusitis Widespread
The high incidence of chronic sinusitis makes these recent findings significant for men around the world. In a recent DailyMail.com article on the sinusitis-ED link, it was noted that roughly one in every six Britons is believed to suffer from chronic sinusitis. And in the United States, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that 12.3 percent of American adults suffer from chronic sinusitis.
Although the precise relationship between chronic sinusitis and erectile dysfunction has yet to be definitively identified, persistent sinus problems are often linked to low-level chronic systemic inflammation. This inflammatory condition interferes with optimal blood flow throughout the body, including the tiny blood vessels that supply the penis.
Further Studies Recommended
In the conclusion to their study, the Taiwanese researchers note that their findings established a clear link between suffering from chronic sinusitis and “a significantly higher risk “of developing ED than the general population, regardless of age, presence of comorbidity, and medications.” The researchers went on to warn clinicians to be alert for signs of ED in their patients with chronic sinusitis, particularly in view of the growing incidence of the latter. They also called for follow-up research “to determine the underlying mechanism linking these two adverse health outcomes.”
If you want to learn more about erectile dysfunction or would like to order an oral ED medication, such as Viagra or Cialis, pay a visit to eDrugstore’s Erectile Dysfunction page.
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