For those who deal with sinusitis, or a sinus infection, symptoms usually go away in a week or so. Unfortunately, sometimes this infection can last 12 weeks or longer, resulting in chronic sinusitis. If you are dealing with severe or chronic sinusitis and symptoms don’t go away with at-home treatment then it might be time to discuss with your otolaryngologist whether you could benefit from balloon sinuplasty, a simple non-surgical treatment.
Balloon sinuplasty is a great option for someone dealing with chronic sinusitis that isn’t responding to other treatment options but doesn’t want to immediately turn to traditional sinus surgery. Balloon sinuplasty treats the symptoms associated with chronic sinusitis without incisions or needing to cut the bone or tissue within the nasal cavity.
Instead of making an incision, your ENT doctor will place a small flexible tube with a deflated balloon at the end into the sinus cavity. Once inside, the balloon is carefully inflated until it opens up the inflamed or blocked sinus, allowing it to properly drain. A special saline solution will also be sprayed into the nasal cavity to remove any mucus buildup. Once the sinuses are completely clear your doctor will remove the system. Even once the system is removed the once inflamed and blocked cavity will stay open. This procedure can be performed right in your ENT specialist’s office and you can go home right after.
Unlike traditional sinus surgery, balloon sinuplasty is minimally invasive and doesn’t require extensive downtime. In fact, most patients were able to return to work and their daily activities within 2-3 days. Since there is no cutting or incisions required with balloon sinuplasty, you will also experience less bleeding and fewer post-treatment side effects.
So, how do you know whether or not balloon sinuplasty is the right way to handle your chronic sinus issues? If you’ve been dealing with a sinus infection that has lasted more than 12 weeks and isn’t responding to other treatment options then it might be time to weigh the pros and cons of treatment. You may want to consider this sinus treatment if you are dealing with severe or persistent:
Facial pain and pressure
Nasal discharge
Congestion
Loss of or reduced smell
Headaches
Those dealing with recurring sinus infections throughout the year should also consider getting balloon sinuplasty to reduce the likelihood for future sinus infections. Many people who’ve gotten this sinus treatment are still experiencing relief two years after their balloon sinuplasty. If you are dealing with chronic or severe sinus infections regularly it’s time to turn to an ear, nose, and throat specialist.