South Alabama Times

Sinus and ear infections can affect the performance of even the most talented athletes and disrupt their competition.

British Olympic skeleton racer Lizzy Yarnold has struggled with inner ear problems in the past, a struggle that almost kept her from winning gold in the 2018 Olympics. Competing professionally since 2010, she previously won gold in the 2014 Winter Olympics and again in 2018, according to Wikipedia. She is the most successful British Winter Olympian and the most successful Olympic skeleton athlete of all time from any country.

Shortly after arriving at the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, she developed a chest infection, which intensified to the point that she was having trouble speaking and breathing. The Sun reported that her issues were caused by a vestibular disorder affecting the inner ear. She also revealed having trouble breathing in a new, much colder climate during the events and experiencing vertigo and sinus headaches without congestion.

Yarnold tried many home remedies for sinus headaches in an attempt to dull the symptoms of her condition. After falling to third place, she was somehow able to overcome her symptoms enough to take home the winning gold medal in 2018.

Vestibular disorders affecting the inner ear are sometimes referred to as "labrynthitis." According to NHS (National Health Service) Inform, labrynthitis is caused by inflammation of part of the inner ear known as the labyrinth. The inflammation comes from an infection, which is usually bacterial or, in some cases, viral.

“Over a long period time, it can be pretty detrimental to the eardrum itself, and you can develop things like chronic infections in the ear from it," Dr. Matthew Blair of Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told South Alabama Times.

According to Mayo Clinic, most bacterial infections clear up within 10 days and are typically caused by a common cold. You should see a sinus inflammation specialist when things do not clear up after a few weeks, your symptoms get worse, or you have a history of recurrent or chronic sinusitis and sinus allergies.