Chronic sinus sufferers sometimes experience a loss of taste or smell. | Unsplash
Chronic sinus sufferers sometimes experience a loss of taste or smell. | Unsplash
People who suffer from recurring sinusitis are at a greater risk for losing their sense of taste and smell, according to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Surgery can lower patient's risk of losing these senses and reduce the symptoms of sinusitis, which include sniffling, sneezing and congestion. Balloon sinuplasty is a newer type of surgery that is minimally invasive and offers quick patient recovery periods, according to WebMD.
“Balloon Sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that uses an advanced technique (a balloon) to treat sinuses,” Diana Ruiloba, a physician's assistant at Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told the Grand Canyon Times. “This is an appropriate intervention for sinuses that are no longer functioning optimally. This procedure on average takes about 30 to 40 minutes, which conveniently can be done in the office.”
Balloon sinuplasty involves inserting a thin tube into the patient's nasal passage and inflating it to open up the passageways and help them drain more effectively.
Sinusitis is a lot like a cold, except that it is typically accompanied by extreme pressure, swelling or tenderness around the sinuses and other serious symptoms.
A patient's loss of taste and smell is usually gradual, happening as a result of repeated sinus or upper respiratory infections, leading to inflammation and irritation in the sinus cavity.
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