South Indy News

Even the most seasoned performers can be sidelined by a sinus infection.

In may of 2016, Ariana Grande had to cancel her Rock in Rio concert in Portugal because she was incapacitated due to a sinus and throat infection, according to Yahoo! News.

"I'm deeply saddened to tell my babes in Portugal that I have to cancel my performance at Rock in Rio. I've literally been crying over this for an hour. I have a throat and sinus infection, and my doctors have advised me not to sing for a few days," Grande wrote on Instagram.

Her issues continued, and a few years later, she also had to cancel a concert in Lexington, Kentucky, Huffington Post reported.

Sinus experts at Indianapolis Sinus Center are recommending that patients be aware of the potential seriousness of sinus infections and to seek treatment before the issue begins to affect quality of life.

"Being able to breathe is important, and not being in pain all the time is important," Dr. Nicholas Hollenkamp of Indianapolis Sinus Center told South Indy News. "When you can't breathe and you've got sinus pressure all the time, it's hard to think, it's hard to concentrate and it's hard to do the things in life you want to do."

Sinus infections occur as a result of sinusitis. Sinusitis occurs when your sinuses — the 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. If symptoms lasts for more than three months, it is considered to be chronic sinusitis.

"If you can't breathe, it's hard to sleep," Hollenkamp said. "And if you're having sinus pressure or pressure headaches, it's hard to sleep. If you're having a lot of drainage, it's hard to sleep. People who have chronic sinusitis, they can have all those things and more."

Nearly 37 million Americans suffer from at least one episode of acute nasal inflammation each year, according to the American Sinus Institute.

It's important for patients to determine the nature of their symptoms to choose the best course of action to relieve pain. If you think you might benefit from seeing a doctor, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.