- In a U.S. trial, verapamil reduced sniffles in those suffering from chronic sinusitis
- This condition affects one in six people, and could last for months or even years
- Sinusitis develops when the nasal passage and the sinus lining become inflamed
Pat Hagan for the Daily Mail
3
View
comments
A cheap pill commonly prescribed for blood pressure could also help to dry runny noses.
In a U.S. trial, verapamil reduced sniffles in those suffering from chronic sinusitis — which affects one in six people.
Sinusitis develops when the nasal passages and the lining of the sinuses — air-filled cavities behind the nose, cheeks and eyes — become inflamed, often as a result of a viral infection such as a cold or flu.
Sinusitis develops when the nasal passages and the lining of the sinuses — air-filled cavities behind the nose, cheeks and eyes — become inflamed
This inflammation leads to symptoms such as difficulty breathing through the nose and pain or tenderness around the eyes and nose.
Most cases clear up after a couple of weeks once the underlying infection goes, but nearly 17 per cent of the population develop chronic sinusitis — lasting several months or even years.
The symptoms range from a constant runny nose or stuffiness to a reduced sense of smell and sleep apnoea, where the airways become temporarily blocked during sleep.
Pucker up! Eight reasons why KISSING is so good for your…
Why pricey antioxidants could KILL you: ‘Health pills’ do…
NHS ‘underestimates sepsis cases by 70 per cent’: Silent…
Radical stem cell treatment for MS could stop the disease in…
Chronic sinusitis occurs when the inflammation leads to the development of tiny growths called polyps near the sinuses. As they grow, the polyps block the airways, making sinusitis symptoms even worse.
Even if the infection is treated and cleared, the polyps block the sinuses and airways, so start to cause the same symptoms.
Doctors prescribe steroid nose drops or sprays to shrink the polyps gradually. If this fails, surgery can remove them.
But the growths usually return and steroids are needed for life to keep them at bay.
A cheap pill commonly prescribed for blood pressure could also help to dry runny noses. In a U.S. trial, verapamil reduced sniffles in those suffering from chronic sinusitis
Now a team at Massachusetts Eye and Ear hospital in Boston hope verapamil will help.
It belongs to a class of medicines known as calcium channel blockers, which treat high blood pressure by reducing the build-up of calcium that can narrow the arteries.
But verapamil has an additional effect — it is known to also dampen the release of the protein P-glycoprotein from cells in the nasal passages.
And it was recently discovered this protein is involved in triggering the inflammation in sinusitis.
CHRONIC SINUSITIS CAN LEAD TO CANCER
Chronic sinusitis may raise the risk of certain head and neck cancers in older people, suggests a study in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology — Head Neck Surgery.
Researchers in the U.S. analysed medical records and found that more people with chronic sinusitis had a type of head and neck cancer than those without sinus problems.
One theory is that chronic inflammation damages healthy cells and leads to the development of cancer.
In a study, the researchers gave ten sinusitis sufferers a low dose of verapamil three times a day for two months, and eight others a placebo.
They were assessed regularly using the Sino-nasal Outcome Test, a scoring system that measures the severity of 22 symptoms, such as restricted breathing, nasal irritation and trouble sleeping.
The results showed those on placebo saw no change in their symptoms, while those on verapamil saw scores tumble by an average of 27 points, according to the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Researchers are planning larger trials in the next couple of years.
‘It is interesting, but is only a pilot study,’ says Professor Tony Narula, president of ENT UK.
‘We need more research into new treatments because this condition causes a huge amount of suffering.’
Share or comment on this article
e-mail
- Brought to tears by cruel racist taunts: Brazilian…
- Woman who kicked her boyfriend out of bed ‘for snoring’…
- The dramatic moment that a London-bound flight is…
- Brazil’s $12 billion Olympic legacy lies in ruins: Five…
- Mystery of the ex-England footballer Steven Caulker’s…
- Touchdown! The incredible moment Elon Musk’s SpaceX…
- Is Putin the world’s real richest man? After 17 years in…
- Russian billionaire’s £360million superyacht is IMPOUNDED…
- ‘It’s so amazing to hold her in our arms again’: Utah…
- The moment a cheeky squatter tried to RUN OFF with a…
- He takes after his granddad! Ivanka shares an adorable…
- British tourist is found covered in blood outside Thai…
- Construction worker with ‘white power’ chest tattoo and…
- ‘This is Hell. It will drive you crazy if it doesn’t kill…
- Four American tourists and pilot feared dead after plane…
- Theresa May becomes first PM to sit on the steps of the…
- Sacked for being too GOOD LOOKING: TV worker claims a…
- PIERS MORGAN: There ARE traitors in your intelligence…
Comments 3
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
Your comment will be credited to your MailOnline persona
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
Your comment will be credited to your MailOnline persona