Got a stuffy nose and congested sinuses that you just can't seem to shake? You may be suffering from the nasty side effects of second-hand smoke.
A team of Canadian and U.S. researchers found that people exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke are at an increased risk of developing chronic rhinosinusitis, an inflammation of the nose or sinuses lasting 12 weeks or longer.
Rhinosinusitis is an extremely common condition, affecting about 16 per cent of adults, said the lead author of the study, Martin Tammemagi of Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont.
It is often blamed on allergies, bacterial or fungal infections, a rundown immune system as well as environmental and genetic factors. The new study is believed to be the first look at the connection between second-hand smoke and chronic rhinosinusitis.
Telephone interviews were conducted with 306 Detroit-area residents who were diagnosed with rhinosinusitis between 2000 and 2004. The patients were asked questions about a variety of topics including their contact with second-hand smoke at home, work, public places and private social functions such as parties and weddings. Their answers were compared with the responses of 306 generally healthy individuals.
Based on these finding, the researchers estimated that 40 per cent of chronic rhinosinusitis cases could be linked to second-hand smoke. The results were published in the journal Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery.
Polling for the study was done at a time when there were fewer restrictions on smoking. Since then, many organizations and governments have introduced measures to curb smoking in public places.
Even so, Dr. Tammemagi said "the paper is still relevant today." He noted that lots of people continue to breathe in second-hand smoke in their homes and at private events.