- Both allergies and colds are more common in the fall and winter months.
- Allergies and colds can potentially develop into sinus infections.
- Accent Sinus Center offers a range of solutions to treat the underlying conditions causing allergies or sinus infections.
While many people know that experiencing allergy symptoms and common colds is more likely in the fall and winter, they may not realize that allergies and colds can develop into sinus infections, the Houston Chronicle reported.
"They're very intimately related," DeLorio told New Jersey Business Daily. "A large portion of people with allergies do develop chronic sinusitis, and people with chronic sinusitis typically have allergies. It may not be all of them, but it is imperative that anybody with chronic sinus issues be tested for allergies and their allergies be managed. If you don't, there's no procedure that's going to work well for that patient if they're not also managing their allergy issues."
Allergies, colds and sinus infections have many of the same symptoms, so it can be difficult to distinguish between them. Dr. Tran Locke, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist who works at Baylor College of Medicine, said that if symptoms such as congestion last longer than 10 days, it might be time to see a doctor to determine whether a sinus infection has developed. Other symptoms could include a feeling of pressure in the face, a decreased sense of smell, tooth pain or a fever.
Many patients can resolve their symptoms through medication, but for some, a minimally invasive surgery might be the best option to treat an underlying condition.
Balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery, is a procedure used to clear blocked sinuses, according to Healthline. This surgery is relatively new, having been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005. It’s also commonly referred to as the “smart sinus” procedure.
According to Dr. Michael Eisemann of Eisemann Plastic Surgery in Houston, a balloon sinuplasty procedure lasts 10 to 15 minutes, and patients typically recover within one to two days. Most patients can resume their normal activities in that time period, although they may experience some swelling for up to a week.
Accent Sinus Center & Head & Neck Group offers personalized care for patients of all ages who suffer from allergies and sinus problems. The office is located in the Linwood Professional Plaza in Linwood, New Jersey.
If you're interested in learning more about diagnosis or treatment of chronic sinusitis, please take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.