East San Diego News

• Statistics show that approximately 50 million Americans grapple with allergies every year.
• Sinusitis occurs as a result of inflammation in the sinuses, while asthma involves inflammation in the airways.
• Many people who have asthma also have chronic problems with the nose and sinuses. 

May marks National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, underscoring the interconnectedness between asthma, allergies, and sinus health in patients. According to Dr. Paul Shalch Lepe of SoCal Breathe Free, asthma and sinus issues are very much related and something an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor can help with. 

“There's a principle called the unified airway theory where any inflammatory or infectious process that might be affecting one part of the respiratory tract will affect the others,” Dr. Shalch Lepe told the East San Diego News. “In our case, the relationship with asthma and the other issues with pulmonary function, bronchial inflammation, and airway inflammation has a lot to do with having chronic sinus infections. So asthma and sinus disease go hand-in-hand. And it's a very, very common scenario that we can definitely help with.”

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), approximately 50% of people who have moderate to severe asthma also suffer from chronic sinusitis. Asthma and allergies can both cause sinusitis.

Many people with asthma also struggle with allergies, and allergy triggers can potentially set off asthma symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. When the immune system confronts allergens, it releases chemicals that can cause symptoms like a runny nose, congestion, or skin reactions. These reactions can impact the airways, consequently triggering asthma symptoms. Allergy treatments such as immunotherapy gradually diminish the body's response to allergens, leading to a reduction in asthma symptoms over time.

People who suffer from allergies or chronic sinus problems are more likely to breathe through their mouths, according to McCarl Dental Group. Mouth breathing can result in decreased saliva production, which then allows bacteria and plaque to build up on the teeth. This buildup can lead to cavities, gum disease, and chronic bad breath. Furthermore, habitual mouth breathing may contribute to long-term complications such as strained jaw joints, snoring, sleep apnea, enlarged tonsils, and an elevated susceptibility to airway disorders like asthma.

In 1984, the AAFA proclaimed May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, recognizing it as a peak month for individuals affected by asthma or allergies. According to the AAFA, more than 27 million people in the U.S. struggle with asthma, 20 million people suffer from food allergies, and 81 million people have hay fever. The theme of this year's Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month is “empowering individuals, families, and the community to save and improve lives for people with asthma and allergies.”

According to SoCal Breathe Free's website, Dr. Paul Schalch Lepe is an otolaryngologist and ENT doctor in San Diego who specializes in sinus, allergy, and sleep treatments. He completed his residency in otolaryngology at the UC Irvine Medical Center at the UC Irvine School of Medicine and earned his medical degree at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico School of Medicine in Mexico City.