Sudden cardiac arrest happens when an individual loses consciousness, which occurs more often at night because the heart beats at a lower slower rate.

Researchers conducted the study using human heart computer models to determine if suffering from sick sinus syndrome, a type of heart rhythm disorder that impairs the heart’s pacemaker, can increase the risks of sudden cardiac arrest in sleeping patients. Analyzing this disorder allowed the team to see how it affects all types of individuals, such as athletic individuals and healthy elderly people.

In fact, researchers believe that these findings could lead to medication development, which could be used to monitor the pacemaker’s activity level.

Hennggui Zhang, co-author of the study, stated that "previously, we did not know why some people with sick sinus syndrome would die suddenly, but now we do know why risk can increase at night during sleep." Zhang added that theses results are "an important step towards ways of preventing this, [which could include reducing] the influence of a certain form of nerve activity on the hearts of sick sinus patients via drugs or pacemaker devices."

Only an estimated 5 percent of Americans of who suffer from sudden cardiac arrest survive, according to the American Heart Association.

Patients who have developed chronic rhinosinusitis, an infection in which the sinus cavities and nose become inflamed for more than three months, suffer from several symptoms including congestion, runny nose headaches, loss of smell and increased pressure along the sinuses.

The authors of this report based their findings on a study conducted in 1985, which studied a group of patients aged 65 to 99 years old that had been diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Further research found that the number of endoscope surgeries had increased by 20 percent, while open sinus surgery rates went down by approximately 40 percent. Also, by using an endoscope to perform surgery, patients can benefit from the technique that is minimally invasive, which allows for faster recovery.

The authors concluded that "because of the uncertainty regarding the outcomes of surgical versus medical management, the root causes of the observed increase in endoscopic sinus surgery rates need to be investigated." They added that "given that sinusitis is a common diagnosis necessitating physician visits, comparative effectiveness studies examining medical versus surgical management would be warranted."

Approximately 40,000 people have sinus surgery every year, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.

According to a new study published in the Archives of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, people who are exposed to secondhand smoke on a regular basis in private or public settings are more likely to have chronic sinus disease.

Several studies have been conducted in the past to determine the role that secondhand smoke has in cancer development as well as other health issues.

The researchers found that 13.4 percent of patients with chronic sinus disease were exposed to secondhand smoke at home, compared to 9.1 percent of sinus patients who were not. Additionally, 18.6 percent of patients with the disease were exposed to secondhand smoke at work compared to 6.9 percent who worked in a smoke-free environment.

"Even though more evidence is needed to validate the secondhand smoke-chronic rhinosinusitis association, secondhand smoke is already known to cause many other diseases," the authors conclude.

According to findings published in Nature Neuroscience, when researchers took away the ability to taste in rats for an hour, they noted an alteration in their sense of smell.

The first part of the process was to feed one rat a piece of food and have the test rat smell the breath. The next day, researchers offered two different kinds of food, the one the rat ate the previous day, and a new kind. The test rat chose the food eaten the previous day.

They conducted the same study by altering the test rat’s taste vortex. The rat ended up choosing another food than when it had the ability to taste.

Researchers concluded that this study would allow more research to discover the inner workings of the brain, looking to pinpoint how humans choose foods.

If you have problems with congestion, trying an alkaline diet could help relieve symptoms.

A new procedure developed by the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center looks to remove sinus tumors though a minimally invasive surgery that will not result in facial disfiguration, a concern of many.

The new procedure is done by removing the tumor through the nose. This is much less invasive compared to the original surgery that featured incisions in the face.

"Traditionally, tumors of the sinuses have been removed by open craniofacial resection. This involves making incisions on the face and a craniotomy, which is removal of the forehead bone flap by a neurosurgeon," said Dr. Pete Batra, who specialized in the surgery.

Sinus tumors are rare in individuals, according to Eurekalert.org, only one in 2,000 Americans are affected by the problem. What starts out as normal discomfort systems that most people believe in simple sinus pressure could result in a tumor forming that can swell in the face, becoming noticeable to others.

According to Dr. Mark Pitstick, a health commentator writing a column for the Chillicothe Gazette, those suffering from sinus problems should consider using a saline sinus rinse kit to flush particles from the sinuses painlessly.

Installing an air filter in the bedroom or entire house to clear the air of pollen may also be a good idea, he writes.

Some people have furthermore benefitted from herbal supplements such as Sinupret, which contains a blend of five herbs, including European elder, common sorrel, cowslip, European vervain and gentian.

It is widely prescribed in Europe and gaining popularity in the U.S. as a remedy intended to boost sinus and respiratory function and is commonly used for the treatment of allergies, coughs, colds and sinus infections.

Another popular herbal remedy for sinusitis is pineapple extract known as bromelain which is considered to be a natural anti-inflammatory agent and may relieve congestion, breathing problems and coughing.

Bromelein can be found in the form of capsules or tablet dietary supplements.

According to About.com, extracts of horseradish, elderberry and pineapple have been shown to alleviate the pain and pressure of congested sinuses.

In particular, the pineapple extract known as bromelain is considered to be a natural anti-inflammatory agent and may relieve congestion, breathing problems and coughing associated with sinusitis, says the source.

Bromelein can be found in the form of capsule or tablet dietary supplements.

Some people have also successfully used Chinese or Indian traditional medicine to tackle their sinus problems, according to MotherNature.com.

It quotes Dr. Michael Reed Gach, director of the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, California, as saying that gently pressing both LI 20 points on each side of the nose near the nostrils for a few of minutes can help get rid of the pressure and pain.

Meanwhile, Vasant Lad, an ayurvedic expert from Albuquerque, New Mexico, recommends nasal irrigation with freshly squeezed garlic juice for optimal results.

However, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology is warning people that these symptoms could actually lead to a more serious condition known as sinusitis.

Sinusitis, which typically lasts much longer than a common cold – occurs when the sinus cavities become blocked due to inflammation. As a result, mucous is unable to drain normally and the cavities develop an infection.

In fact, the AAAAI people may not realize at first that they actually have sinusitis because the indications are so similar to a cold.

"Early on, the symptoms of colds and sinusitis are similar. But if symptoms are worsening after three to five days – or if they are present for more than 10 days – then sinusitis is the likely culprit," commented Dr. Anju Peters of the AAAAI.

Health resources such as a nasal wash may help people avoid developing sinus infections and maintain respiratory health.

An article on ABC News suggested that one of the health resources available to those who want to clear their sinuses is the use of a neti pot.

Neti pots are water-filled containers with a long, thin spout that were originally used in Southeast Asia as an Ayurvedic and Yogic cleansing method.

The user tilts their head to let water flow into one nostril and out the other, washing out the area known as the nasopharynx.

Although some people report an unpleasant sensation from using a neti pot, others may find the technique is less harsh than alternatives such as nasal sprays.

"People don’t realize how delicate the tissues up there are," Dr. Roberta Lee of the Continuum Center for Health and Healing told the new provider.

When choosing a sinus remedy, she advised that "simpler is better."

In addition to general irritation, conditions that may affect the sinuses include sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps and mucocele, among others.

Now, scientists are suggesting that the sweet treat could also be effective at treating chronic sinusitis, which affects tens of millions of Americans each year.

The condition begins when mucous membranes in the sinuses become inflamed. Eventually, the fluid builds up and plugs the sinus cavity, which can result in breathing problems, headaches and pain behind the eyes.

New research presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation claims that honey can be effective at killing drug-resistant bacteria present in chronic sinus infections.

A Canadian team at the University of Ottawa tested the ability of manuka and sidr honey to attack bacteria that was growing in a biofilm – a thin layer created when bacteria is resistant to antibiotics.

They found that honey was effective at killing even the most resistant bacteria.

A 2007 study conducted at the University of Nebraska concluded that antibiotics were being overprescribed to treat chronic sinusitis.