Ranbir Kapoor’s breathing issues, on account of a deviated nasal septum are well documented. However, unlike Jeniffer Aniston and Cameron Diaz, he has not undergone septoplasty to correct this.
Sinus surgeries though have been more common. Often dismissed as a nuisance, sinuses can be much more than just a runny nose, facial pressure, headaches, and congestion. People suffering from sinus seek help because of three reasons-
Disturbed sleep
Inability to concentrate and perform tasks
A feeling of being depressed.
The famous Penny of ‘Big Bang Theory’ underwent sinus surgery in 2014 because ‘she couldn’t breathe well.’ Further, she revealed subsequently that her addiction to nasal spray was so bad that her sinuses were completely ruined. In 2018, ‘One direction’ star Niall Horan spoke about undergoing painful sinus surgery.
“Sinuses are four pairs of air-filled cavities in your forehead, cheeks and nose. Their primary function is to produce mucus, which moisturizes and drains out the nasal passages. When these sinuses become inflamed due to allergies, infections, or other factors, they disrupt the normal functioning of the respiratory system,” explains Dr Vikas Agarwal, Asia’s leading ENT surgeon.
Elaborating on the difference between sinus and common cold, he adds, “A common cold will often go away by itself. But you must consult a doctor if it persists beyond 7-10 days. Other than this, breathing issues can also be caused by other structural issues in the nose such as a deviated septum, nasal polyps etc, all of whom can be solved by surgery.”
Popular Tamil star Ajith Kumar had also revealed that he underwent septoplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery in 2015.
How to determine if you have sinus issue is severe
If the cold persists for around a few weeks (4-6 weeks) and you also suffer a facial pain, it can be acute sinusitis. In this, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics so that the sinus does not spread to the eyes or the brain.
When it lasts for more than 3 months it can be chronic sinusitis. If left untreated, untreated acute sinusitis can also cause people to have a chronic sinus infection. In such cases, a CT scan is required for further process.
The sinuses are anatomically close to various structures in the head, including the brain and the eyes, and therefore in extremely rare cases, a difficult sinus can lead to blindness and brain abscess.
It is important to note that the impact of sinus problems on cognitive function can vary among individuals. For eg; disrupted sleep patterns have been widely recognized as a significant contributor to cognitive impairments, including diminished concentration and memory. The combination of sleep disruption and the inflammatory response triggered by sinus issues can create a vicious cycle that further exacerbates the difficulties in focusing and concentrating.
While some may experience mild impairments, others may find their ability to focus significantly compromised. In any case, it is important to consult an ENT surgeon, where they can guide you about further interventions. The safest surgical intervention can be the computer navigation guided- endoscopic sinus surgery which saves patients from repeat surgery and allows you to return to your regular routine as soon as possible.
