North Richmond Today

Professional golfer Bubba Watson had some trials and tribulations to overcome that tested his endurance before the Masters Tournament in 2016. 

An injury to his back and a sinus infection with sinus headache both nearly kept him from competing in the 2016 tournament, a report by the Golf Channel said. He was quoted as saying the course energized him.

Watson was experiencing acute rhinosinusitis, the sudden symptoms of which include sinus headache and nasal inflammation, a report by the National Center of Biotechnology Institute (NCBI) said. The symptoms last less than four weeks and a full recovery is the outcome. Sinusitis and the symptoms of sinusitis have caused an estimated 73 million days of lost or restricted activity in a 12-month period. 

"I've witnessed that when patients are not suffering from chronic sinusitis symptoms that their cognitive ability has improved. You can tell when they come back, when they come in the office, that there's a brightness to their demeanor. Some of them even told me that they're exercising more. And their well-being is just improved. You can see that when they return to the office." Dr. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Center said.

There are four classifications for sinusitis, the NCBI report said. Recurrent acute rhinosinusitis, which is defined as four or more episodes of acute rhinosinusitis each lasting at least seven days, is a separate classification of its own and should be treated accordingly.

Watson said he felt 80% healthy after bed rest and a visit from a sinus inflammation specialist.

Sinus infections can put a great deal of pressure on the body's immune system, a report from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology said. If you have more than three episodes of bacterial sinusitis in a 12-month period or develop chronic sinusitis, it could be a signal that your immune system is under stress.

When dealing with sinus problems, early intervention and treatment are key, a report from the Cleveland Clinic said. Sinus inflammation can cause long-term damage such as nasal polyps; which can lead to headaches, loss of smell or taste, a constant stuffy or runny nose, nosebleeds, pain or pressure felt in the face or top teeth, postnasal drip and snoring.

If you are interested in diagnosing for sinus infection or other sinus conditions, please take this online sinus self-assessment quiz.