Sinusitis, sinus infections, and other sinus health concerns are frustrating to deal with and can be difficult to manage. Common symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, postnasal drip, irritated throat, coughing, headaches, and fatigue can quickly take a toll on the quality of your life.
While sinus issues aren’t life-threatening, they can be quite uncomfortable and even painful for chronic sufferers. When medications and other simpler medical interventions don’t seem to provide any long-lasting relief, your care provider might suggest a procedure called balloon sinus dilation.
What Is Balloon Sinus Dilation?
Sinusitis is a sinus infection that causes irritation, inflammation, and swelling in the mucous membrane lining of the sinuses. Our body’s sinuses naturally produce mucus to moisturize the sinus linings and also flush out airborne irritants and contaminants that can potentially be harmful to us.
In some cases, however, the sinuses get irritated and inflamed, preventing proper mucus drainage. This causes mucus buildup and the sinuses then become the perfect breeding ground for infections caused by germs, viruses, and bacteria.
A sinus infection that lasts for more than 12 weeks without signs of improvement becomes what is known as chronic sinusitis.
Nasal congestion, postnasal drip, runny nose with thick and discolored mucus discharge, facial pain and pressure, ear pain, cough, and headaches are some common symptoms you can expect from a sinus infection.
Sinusitis sufferers can typically find relief from over-the-counter and prescription medications, decongestants, nasal sprays, and tried and tested home remedies. But there are cases when these aren’t enough and your condition might need a different approach.
In these instances, ENT specialists will recommend balloon sinus dilation.
Balloon sinus dilation – also known as balloon sinuplasty – is a minimally invasive procedure that can provide long-term relief for chronic sinusitis. It uses a small balloon which is inserted into the patient’s sinus passages and gently inflated.
The procedure aims to restructure the patient’s sinus passages, improving mucus drainage and enhancing breathing.
What Happens During the Procedure?
Before the procedure, your provider will confirm your sinusitis diagnosis with a CT scan to determine if balloon sinus dilation is the right treatment for you.
During the procedure, local anesthesia will be administered to ensure comfort while you remain awake.
A thin, lighted instrument called an endoscope will then be inserted into your nose to guide a small balloon into the sinus opening. Once in place, the balloon is gently inflated to widen the sinus passages, promoting proper mucus drainage, relieving nasal congestion, and improving breathing.
How Can Balloon Sinus Dilation Improve Sinus Health?
Balloon sinuplasty can improve sinus health in various ways:
Effective long-term solution for chronic sinusitis
Balloon sinuplasty is an effective solution for chronic sinusitis. Because the procedure aims to reshape the patient’s sinus passages to improve mucus drainage, patients will enjoy long-lasting relief.
Balloon sinuplasty has been FDA-approved since 2005 and more than 375,000 patients have had the procedure. Patients report drastic improvements in their condition.
Minimally invasive procedure with little to no side effects
Balloon sinus dilation is a safe and minimally invasive procedure. Unlike other aggressive procedures, balloon sinuplasty does not require cuts, incisions, or any bone or tissue removal.
Patients enjoy little to no side effects. While there may be some bleeding, swelling, pain, discomfort, and bruising during and after the procedure, these are all minimal and in no way a cause for major concern.
Quick recovery time
Balloon sinuplasty offers a quick recovery time and is performed as an outpatient procedure, typically taking about an hour in the doctor’s office. It is done under local anesthesia, which minimizes downtime and carries fewer risks compared to general anesthesia.
A quick recovery means less time for you to stay away from school, work, and other important things in life.
While the procedure has a quick recovery time and minimal side effects, your doctor will still give you a set of after-care instructions you must follow. It depends on your condition and your doctor’s evaluation, but this typically includes having an adult accompany you for the first 24 hours after the procedure, avoiding blowing your nose for 24 hours post-procedure, and avoiding strenuous activities during the first week after the procedure.
Del Rey MD Is an Expert in Balloon Sinus Dilation
Sinusitis can be frustrating to manage, especially when the symptoms start impacting your productivity and the quality of your life. At Del Rey MD, we aim to provide long-lasting relief with appropriate treatment options including balloon sinus dilation. Schedule a consultation with us today and take one step closer to better sinus health!
