East Ventura News

Lady Gaga's decision to cancel her show in November 2019, after coming down with bronchitis and a sinus infection, is proof that sinusitis isn't exclusive to the Average Joe.

The pop artist, formerly known as Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, took to social media to announce that one of her Las Vegas shows would need to be canceled.

"I’m so devastated. I can’t perform tonight for so many people who traveled to come see me,” Lady Gaga wrote in a Nov. 6, 2019, tweet. “I have a sinus infection and bronchitis and feel very sick and sad. I never want to let you down. I’m just too weak and ill to perform tonight. I love you, little monsters. I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”

Sinus infections occur when your sinuses — those hollow, tissue-lined cavities in your skull — are inflamed and fluid builds up, allowing bacteria or viruses to grow, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Common symptoms of sinus infections include nasal congestion, discolored mucus from the nose, postnasal drainage, facial pain, facial pressure and decreased sense of smell and taste. 

"If you let these things go on long enough, all of those secondary manifestations will eventually arrive," Dr. Glenn Waldman of Bella Vista ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery told East Ventura News. "All of the quality-of-life, and then secondary health issues, just get worse. So I think early intervention is very important."

Sinus infections can seriously hinder the performance of everyday activities and lower productivity for just about anyone.

"If the disease (chronic sinusitis) is bad enough, it's not going to go away," Waldman said. "It'll only get worse."

Other health problems can arise, too, as a result of chronic sinusitis.

"Then there are sort of the more subtle, slowly developing secondary consequences like poor sleep, which will lead to daytime tiredness, which can lead to less activity, which can lead to weight gain and poor cognition," Waldman said. "And feeling like you're in a fog can lead to more heart disease, increased risk of stroke, erectile dysfunction and can worsen things like diabetes. So you have all of those things that will manifest over time."

The nose is essentially an air filtration system. Its passages are connected to the airways, sinuses, throat and lungs, meaning nose congestion relief when you’re sick is more important than just feeling better. It is essential for good health to take good care of your sinuses.

Bella Vista ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery offers an online Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz for potential patients to evaluate their symptoms.