Does stress cause sinus problems to re-occur

Factual Questions
1

My nose, for the past three months, has been like a tap. Every 2 or 3 weeks I will get running nose - it’s like Old Faithful, I tell you. I have hauled my ass to the doctor (the same one everytime) and along with the standard medication, he just tell me ‘there’s a flu bug in the air’)

Now the weather of the tropics has been strange of late. Thunderstorm this hour, scorching hot on the other. For the first or two time when I was down with flu, I can buy the argument. After the fifth time, I changed to another doctor for another opinion.

I told him I had some sinus issues in the past; all I got from visiting the specialist are some heavy-duty nasal spray. After that, it goes away. The doctor, learning that I have anxiety and have been through a couple of life changes (graduation, losing friends, being re-drafted etc.) say that the stress cause the sinus issue to resurface.

I don’t know, but I really gotten tired of everything being attributed to ‘stress’. I know stress cause cramps, headache, but running nose?

Please let me know if my bewilderment is justified.

2

I believe if you are run-down you just can not fight off some minor infections that develop into sinus infections. The cause of the infection is always there but you get stressed out and tired and the body’s defenses get overwhelmed.

There really doesn’t seem to be much doctors can do for them. I used to go get nasal sprays and anti-biotics and my infections would last about a week. Now I just wait it out, get some rest and the infection lasts…about a week.

Unsolicited advice section: The one thing that has definitely helped is a neti pot. If you search the board there have been several threads regarding them. They do help, they are not a gimmick, and in my opinion, acquired after a lot of suffering, they should be the first line of defense for the average person suffering sinus infections.

3

There are various studies that link stress and the immune system, and the link is well accepted. Bacteria and/or viruses that normally exist in/on your body can suddenly expand into a full-blown infection when the immune system is stressed directly (by your health and care for yourself, including diet) and indirectly, such as when you are going through stressful times in your personal life, not sleeping enough, etc.