Grand Canyon Times

• Balloon sinuplasty is a relatively new procedure.
• Of patients who receive the procedure, more than 95% see improvements of their symptoms.
• Balloon sinuplasty can improve other things, such as quality of sleep.

Balloon sinuplasty is gaining popularity as a treatment for people seeking relief from sinusitis symptoms, and experts such as Dr. Brian Lee of Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center say it’s a viable option for those suffering from sinusitis.

“I think most people that don't have issues with their nose or sinuses have no idea,” Lee said. “For the unfortunate millions of people that are suffering with chronic sinus issues, all of these sinus issues trickle down into every facet of their life, because when you're not breathing through your nose, you're not sleeping well. Then, you don't have proper energy and you feel foggy all the time.”

According to NCBI, 60% to 75% of chronic sinusitis sufferers also suffer from poor sleep. Within days of a balloon sinuplasty procedure, most patients report improved symptoms, including better sleep, easier breathing and less facial discomfort, Sleep Review reported.

When that happens, Lee said, people unnecessarily take a “learn to live with it” approach.

“Unfortunately, this happens kind of slowly and chronically, and people unfortunately accept this as the new norm and figure, ‘Well, most people are like this,' or, 'This is just kind of the way it is,' and something they've got to live with,” he said. “Luckily that's not the case and there are a lot of easy things we can do to really improve their quality of life.”

According to Healthline, balloon sinuplasty is minimally invasive, using a balloon to inflate and open sinuses. On average, the procedure takes about 30-40 minutes and can be done in the provider’s office. Also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery, balloon sinuplasty was approved by the FDA in 2005. The procedure is often referred to as a “smart sinus” surgery.

The procedure has fewer risks and a quicker recovery time than traditional sinus surgery, according to GoodRX.

According to a study by Fierce Healthcare, more than 1,000 patients who underwent balloon sinuplasty procedures were polled, and 95% saw improvement in their symptoms. In addition, none of the respondents reported any adverse effects.

Scottsdale Allergy and Sinus has a free survey you can take here to determine what might be behind your sinus symptoms and what could be done to treat them.