Grand Canyon Times

• Loss of smell and taste is one of the physical symptoms of chronic sinusitis.
• If you're struggling with loss of smell or taste due to sinus issues, there are minimally invasive treatment options available that can address the problem.
• A balloon sinuplasty procedure is a minimally invasive treatment option that sinusitis patients can benefit from.

Sinusitis can be a problem for more than just your sinuses, and two of these problems can be loss of smell and loss of taste. Dr. Brian Lee of Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center said balloon sinuplasty is a simple procedure that can fix the issues that arise from sinusitis.

"One of the one of the biggest advances in our field has been the advent of something called balloon sinuplasty. Essentially what that is is a tool that we can use to help to permanently open up the sinuses, which allows the sinuses to drain and allows us to get up in there and see if there is a chronic infection or mucus and get that stuff out," Dr. Lee told Grand Canyon Times. "This finally allows us to permanently enlarge the drainage pathways to allow patients to function better in the future."

Physical symptoms of chronic sinusitis can include nasal inflammation, runny nose, postnasal drainage, congestion, pain or swelling in the face, headaches, loss of smell and taste, sore throat, bad breath, and fatigue, according to Mayo Clinic.

Individuals who lose their sense of smell and taste often experience reduced appetite and suboptimal nutrition, potentially increasing their susceptibility to depression, according to Mayo Clinic. Some individuals may resort to adding excessive amounts of salt or sugar to their food in an attempt to enhance its flavor, potentially exacerbating diabetes or elevated blood sugar issues. Fortunately, if the loss of taste and smell is linked to a sinus infection or other nasal ailment, treating the infection can lead to the restoration of these senses.

A sinus procedure can help to enhance your nasal airflow, and if chronic congestion has influenced your sense of smell or taste, this intervention can provide relief in those aspects as well, according to WebMD.

Some patients are unaware of the minimally invasive options available to help with these issues, one of which is a balloon sinuplasty procedure. Balloon sinuplasty is a safe procedure utilized by surgeons to address chronic sinusitis, according to Nuffield Health. During the process, doctors insert a guide wire equipped with a small balloon into the nostrils and navigate it to the area of blockage. The balloon is then gently inflated enough to open the sinuses. This is done in-office, and recovery involves minimal downtime.