Williamsburg Sun

• Pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau began experiencing dizzy spells at the 2020 Masters.

• After meeting with an ENT specialist in Dallas last November, DeChambeau learned that his vertigo was caused by a blocked nasal passage.

• After sinus surgery, DeChambeau found that his dizziness went away, his thoughts were clearer, he could speak better and his energy levels were higher.

Sinusitis affects millions of people of all types worldwide, leading to a plethora of symptoms, and local doctor, John Ditto, of Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers offered his expertise on the subject.

"Chronic sinusitis can affect the rest of your health in multiple ways," Ditto told the Williamsburg Sun. "One, it can impede your breathing, which will decrease your exercise tolerance. Two, we know that there's some association with sleep apnea. Three, we know also, with chronic sinusitis, there is some association with mental health, including anxiety and depression.”

Having sinus issues can be detrimental in a number of ways, and it can happen to anyone. Professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau started getting dizzy spells at the Masters in 2020, and after about two years searching for a reason, he went through a full-body scan, according to a report by LIV Golf. This resulted in finding a cyst in his left maxillary sinus. DeChambeau then met with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist who knew right away there was a problem.

The doctor explained that the cyst was limiting air flow in DeChambeau's nasal passage, which led to him not getting enough oxygen. His low nitric oxide levels were causing his dizzy spells.

DeChambeau went on to have sinus surgery to remove the cyst. Despite three or four days of discomfort due to only breathing through his mouth after the surgery, he said he eventually could breathe the best he has in years.

“To get that fixed, it’s been the greatest decision of my life,” DeChambeau told LIV Golf. “My energy level is so much better. My clarity of thought is way better. I don’t know if you can tell, but my speech is a lot more fluent and I’m not stopping as much or pitching as much like I used to last year and before. I feel like I’m back to 2018 me.” 

At the beginning of 2018, DeChambeau was ranked 99th, but a series of wins led to him finishing out the year in 5th place.

The inflammation that comes along with chronic sinusitis can cause depression and difficulty concentrating, according to University of Washington School of Medicine. It also might lead to low energy levels, decreased taste and smell, coughing, facial pain, congestion and nasal discharge, says the Cleveland Clinic.

If you're interested in learning more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.