A procedure known as balloon sinuplasty can relieve sinus symptoms. | Adobe Stock
A procedure known as balloon sinuplasty can relieve sinus symptoms. | Adobe Stock
- Physical symptoms of sinusitis include nasal inflammation, a runny nose, congestion, headaches and pain or swelling in the face.
- People who have chronic sinusitis are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.
- Balloon sinuplasty is a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure used to clear blocked sinuses.
"I think there's some misperception among the general public, based on what sinus surgery used to be 10, 20, 30 years ago," Lee said. "They used to pack your nose full of gauze, and you hear these horrendous stories about the pain and the bleeding and recovery. You have a family member that goes through the pain and recovery, and you say, 'Oh, my gosh, I am never ever going to have any type of sinus surgery or nose surgery.'"
Instead of of going through the surgery, some people decide to live with the discomfort.
"A sinusitis sufferer thinks, 'Well, I can't breathe through my nose, but I'm just going to live with it," Lee said. "Luckily, things have advanced significantly, the procedures are much easier, and the recovery is significantly better. Dealing with those issues is a lot easier these days, and the amount of relief and the improvement to the quality of life is astronomical for these patients."
Studies have found that people with chronic sinusitis are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, Physicians Weekly reported. One study compared a group of 16,224 individuals who were treated for chronic sinusitis with a group of 32,448 "similar people" who did not have sinus problems. The study found that over the next 11 years, the sinusitis sufferers were more than 50% more likely to develop depression or anxiety.
Chronic sinusitis affects 28.9 million American adults, or 11% of the adult population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic sinusitis is the cause of 4.1 million doctor visits and more than 230,000 emergency room visits each year.
People with chronic sinusitis might experience nasal inflammation, a runny nose, postnasal drainage, congestion, pain or swelling in the face, headaches, loss of smell and taste, a sore throat, bad breath or fatigue, according to Mayo Clinic.
Balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery, is a procedure to clear blocked sinuses. This surgery is relatively new, having been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005. It’s also commonly referred to as the “smart sinus” procedure, according to Healthline. After a balloon sinuplasty, many people are able to return to their regular activities within a day or two. Some people even drive themselves home from the procedure.
Balloon sinuplasty is becoming more popular because it has lower risks and a quicker recovery time than traditional sinus surgery, according to GoodRX. The procedure does not require the removal of any bones or facial tissue, leading to less pain and swelling and a lower risk of infection.
Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center offers a free online quiz to evaluate your sinus symptoms.
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