• Chronic sinus inflammation can lead to decreased functionality and painful symptoms.
• Chronic sinusitis affects 28.9 million American adults, or 11% of the adult population.
• Balloon sinuplasty is an effective, manageable procedure for people who have chronic sinusitis.
According to the American Sinus Institute, nasal inflammation is swelling of the tissue that lines the sinuses. Also known as sinusitis, this condition blocks the air passageways, causing mucus to increase and potentially cause an infection. This type of ailment is common and can be caused by something as simple as the common cold.
Serious complications can result from untreated sinusitis, such as vision loss or other infections, according to Mayo Clinic.
"If you chose to go the route where you would treat your sinuses with antibiotics for every sinus infection that you have, over a long period of time, you can develop antibiotic resistance," Dr. Matthew Blair of Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told Florida Business Daily. "So the antibiotics may work the first couple times, but it may not work (after that) because the bacteria in your sinuses has been really taught how to avoid those antibiotics through biologic processes. Antibiotics are always the first treatment for acute sinusitis. But when you have chronic sinusitis, antibiotics may not work that great. So the goal of treatment is to open up the sinuses with a sinus balloon, and then have the patient irrigate their nose with a solution of steroids to decrease inflammation."
Chronic sinusitis affects 28.9 million American adults, or 11% of the adult population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Chronic sinusitis is the cause of 4.1 million doctor visits and more than 230,000 emergency room visits each year.
Balloon sinuplasty is often recommended for people who are suffering from chronic sinusitis, after other treatments for their condition have been ineffective. This minimally invasive, in-office procedure is fairly straightforward, and reported complications are minimal. There are no incisions and no removal of bone or tissue, according to Healthline.
After having a balloon sinuplasty, many people are able to return to their regular activities within a day or two. Some people even drive themselves home after the procedure.
Readers can learn more about sinusitis or balloon sinuplasty and take a Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz from Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers.