West LA Times

Pro golfer Bubba Watson almost missed the 2016 Masters due to complications from a sinus infection.

Before The Masters that year, Watson had some trials and tribulations that tested his endurance, a report by the Golf Channel said. An injury to his back and a sinus infection with sinus headache nearly kept him out of the tournament. He was quoted as saying the course energized him.

What Watson experienced was acute rhinosinusitis. A report from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) said that this ailment brings a sudden onset of symptoms, including sinus headache and nasal inflammation that lasts less than four weeks, followed by a full recovery. Sinusitis and its symptoms cause an estimated 73 million days of lost or restricted activity per year.

"This is this is extremely common, unfortunately. There is a very strong link between headaches, nasal obstruction, congestion and poor cognitive function," Dr. Matt Hershcovitch of SoCal Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told the West LA Times. "If you've ever been sick or had a cold and then tried to do something mentally taxing, it's very difficult to concentrate on whatever it is you're trying to do and accomplish. Now for most people, when they have a cold, they just don't do anything. They rest for a few days and then they're fine and they go back about their business. Unfortunately for people with chronic sinusitis, they have the symptoms all the time, and it leads to significant mental and cognitive difficulties and anguish. I've had senior patients come to me, for their headaches and facial pain, and also asking if I think they have onset of dementia. However, when I converse with them and examine them, they have no sign of dementia and it's actually just their perceived cognitive deficit because they can't concentrate on things for very long because of their headaches, so there is a very, very real link between these problems."

There are four classifications for sinusitis, the NCBI report said. They include acute rhinosinusitis (described above), subacute rhinosinusitis (continuation of the acute version but lasting less than 12 weeks) and chronic rhinosinusitis (symptoms of acute lasting 12 weeks or longer). Recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (which is defined as four or more episodes of acute rhinosinusitis that each last at least seven days) is a separate classification of its own and should be treated accordingly.

When dealing with sinus problems, early intervention and treatment are key, a report from the Cleveland Clinic said. Sinus inflammation can cause long-term damage such as nasal polyps; which can lead to headaches, loss of smell or taste, a constant stuffy or runny nose, nosebleeds, pain or pressure felt in the face or top teeth, postnasal drip and snoring.

Watson said he felt 80% healthy after bed rest and a visit from a sinus inflammation specialist.

Sinus infections can put a great deal of pressure on the body's immune system, a report from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology said. If you have more than three episodes of bacterial sinusitis in a 12-month period or develop chronic sinusitis, it could be a signal that your immune system is under stress.

If you or a loved one needs treatment or diagnosis for a sinus infection or other sinus concerns, please start by taking this online sinus assessment.