An estimated 37 million Americans suffer from sinusitis, making it the most common chronic condition in the United States, followed by arthritis and heart disease. Inflammation of the sinuses causes a variety of persistent, cold- or allergy-like symptoms, which is why many don’t seek appropriate treatment.
Symptoms of sinusitis include:
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Facial pain and pressure
- Coughing
- Headache
- Fever
- Loss of smell and taste
- Bad breath
- Fatigue
Most cases of sinusitis last two to three weeks, which is longer than most colds. Subacute sinusitis can last 4 to 12 weeks, and chronic sinusitis can last even longer. The best way to deal with chronic or recurrent sinusitis is to treat the cause rather than the symptoms.
Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally-invasive FDA approved treatment for chronic sinusitis that is quick, painless and low-risk. It is an outpatient procedure performed with local anesthesia. A balloon catheter is inserted into the sinus cavity and inflated, expanding the sinus opening and widening the walls of the nasal passages to aid in normal breathing and drainage. Debris is then flushed from the sinuses with a saline solution, and the catheter is removed.
Up to 95 percent of patients report a significant improvement in symptoms without any adverse effects. If you are interested in balloon sinuplasty or if you suspect you may be suffering from chronic sinusitis, speak with a Sacramento ENT physician today.