Grand Canyon Times

• Pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau began having dizzy spells at the 2020 Masters.
• After meeting with an ENT specialist, 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 he had more energy.

Professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau tried to figure out what was causing him to experience vertigo for almost two years, but it wasn't until he saw an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist that he found the source of the problem: a blocked nasal passage caused by a chronic sinus infection.

DeChambeau underwent sinus surgery in Dallas last November to remove the blockage, and he quickly found that not only had his dizzy spells gone away, but other aspects of his health also improved as well. 

Local doctor of Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center, Brian Lee, said many patients are surprised, not only by the realization of how bad their sinus problems were, but the impact on their wellness caused by solving them.

"I think most people who don't have issues with their nose or sinuses have no idea," Lee told Grand Canyon Times. "For the unfortunate millions of people who are suffering with chronic sinus issues, all of these sinus issues trickle down into every facet of their life, because when you're not breathing through your nose, you're not sleeping well, and then you don't have the proper energy. You feel foggy all the time. Unfortunately, this happens kind of slowly and chronically, and people accept this as the new norm and figure this is just something they've got to live with. Luckily that's not the case, and there are a lot of easy, simple things we can do to really improve their quality of life."

DeChambeau's trouble with dizzy spells began at the Masters in November 2020, and after almost two years of trying to figure out the cause, he underwent a full-body scan, LIV Golf reported. The scan found a cyst in DeChambeau's left maxillary sinus, and he met with an ENT specialist. 

The doctor explained that the cyst was limiting air flow in DeChambeau's nasal passage, which meant he wasn't getting enough oxygen, and his low nitric oxide levels were what caused his dizziness.

DeChambeau underwent sinus surgery to remove the cyst and improve his nasal passages. For three or four days after the surgery, he had to breathe through his mouth to avoid straining his nose, which he said led to a sore throat. However, after a few days had passed, DeChambeau said he could breathe properly for the first time in years, and other aspects of his health improved as well.

“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,” when DeChambeau finished the year ranked fifth in the standings.

The inflammation that comes along with chronic sinusitis can cause depression and difficulty concentrating, according to University of Washington School of Medicine.

Chronic sinusitis sufferers might experience low energy levels, facial pain and pressure, decreased sense of taste and smell, coughing, congestion and nasal discharge, the Cleveland Clinic reported.

If you'd like to learn more about sinusitis and allergy symptoms, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz