Those who suffer from multiple sclerosis may find themselves also suffering from an increased number of sinus infections. While rarely a serious problem, sinus infections may complicate a person's life if it grows in severity. What is the connection here?

People With Multiple Sclerosis Are At An Increased Risk

Multiple sclerosis can impact anyone at any time and is a degenerative disease that is invariably fatal. As it eliminates the protective sheaths on a person's nerves and affects their bodies, they suffer from a wide variety of serious health problems. One of these problems is an increase in sinus infections.

Scientists have studied the connection between an increase in sinus infections and the onset of multiple sclerosis and have found a distinct correlation. Unfortunately, they have no idea why this correlation exists. One potential theory is the onset of nasal polyps that may be affected by MS.

It May Be Connected To Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are fleshy growths in the nose that occur almost randomly in a variety of people. They increase a person's risk of sinus infection almost exponentially. The exact cause of these growths is something of a mystery, though doctors believe that the immune system may be at fault.

As a result, the connection between MS and nasal polyps may have something to do with the way MS affects the immune system. MS is considered an immune system disease because of the way it attacks the body. As a result, an onset of this disease could potentially increase the risk of nasal polyps, though that connection has yet to be studied or proven.

When They Are More Serious

While nasal polyps and sinus infections are rarely a serious problem, their severity may be increased in those who suffer from MS. As a result, the infection may end up spreading around the eyes and even into the brain. When this happens, a person can actually end up blind or suffering from problems like meningitis.

Even when it isn't combined with the negative effects caused by MS on the brain, this is a very grave situation. However, the effects of MS combined with the spread of a sinus infection make this a potentially lethal situation that must be treated immediately.

Thankfully, a sinus doctor can quickly eliminate an infection with antibiotics. These healing items will be chosen based on the nature of the infection. Once applied, they will clear out the infection and help keep a person from more serious side effects.