Grand Canyon Times

Sinus experts at Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers are recommending a simple new procedure that can help patients breathe easier and offer relief for sinus headaches.

With numerous ways available to treat your sinus conditions and sinus headaches with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, making a decision on where to start for treatment or when to see a doctor can become a daunting task. According to Mayo Clinic, if headaches occur more than 15 days per month and OTC medicines have been used frequently but offer help little, it is time to see a doctor.

When all options have been exhausted, including home remedies, there is a relatively new procedure called balloon sinuplasty. According to Healthline, during this minimally invasive procedure, a tiny balloon is inserted into the blocked sinus cavity to open sinus passages, allowing them to drain. During the procedure, the sinuses can be irrigated as well.

"Balloon sinuplasty is offered in-office, which means no hospitals and those extra hidden fees are avoided," Dr. John Stewart at Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told Grand Canyon Times. "This procedure is minimally invasive, safe, painless, fast and effective. This procedure typically takes around 30 minutes, and then you are on your way back home."

 A 2008 study of 65 patients by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation concluded that 85% of them reported an improvement of their sinus symptoms two years after balloon sinuplasty. The study was done at six months, one year and two years after having the procedure. X-ray evidence proves sinus disease remission after two years.

Sinus headaches are associated with pain and pressure in the face and sinuses and can cause symptoms such as inflammation, nasal congestion, pain, pressure and fullness in your cheeks, brow or forehead. You may experience worsening pain if you bend forward or lie down, as well as stuffy nose, fatigue and an achy feeling in your upper teeth.

Acute sinusitis is sinusitis that resolves on its own or when symptoms do not last longer than 12 weeks. If you have acute sinusitis, it might be hard to breathe through your nose, according to Mayo Clinic. The area around your eyes and face might feel swollen, and you might feel maxillary sinus pain and throbbing facial pain or headaches. While not every patient is the same, if you are suffering from such symptoms, it may be time to talk to a doctor about if the balloon sinuplasty is a treatment will help. 

Those who are interested in diagnosis and treatment for sinus headaches can take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.