Nearly everyone experiences a stuffy nose at some point during their lives. However, chronic sinus problems (sinusitis) plague nearly 40 million Americans each year. Sinusitis is more than a mere nuisance; it’s a painful condition characterized by long-lasting or recurrent sinus inflammation. Fortunately, if you’re struggling with sinus issues that just won’t seem to go away, effective treatment options are available. Balloon sinuplasty provides relief for many people with chronic sinusitis.
Dr. Conrad McCutcheon at Memorial Village ENT has extensive experience diagnosing and treating troublesome sinus problems. Balloon sinuplasty benefits patients with chronic sinusitis, especially when other treatments have failed to provide relief.
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. Acute episodes of sinusitis are brief and tend to resolve on their own, whereas chronic sinusitis lasts longer. Signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis last at least 12 weeks. Common symptoms are:
The facial pressure and difficulty breathing through the nose caused by chronic sinusitis can lead to other symptoms, including:
Once diagnosed, Dr. McCutcheon will recommend a treatment plan to help you breathe and feel better. Here’s what you should know about balloon sinuplasty.
Chronically inflamed sinus tissues can cause narrowing and block airflow. The goal of balloon sinuplasty is to open the sinuses and restore proper drainage and airflow. Balloon sinuplasty is often recommended when your chronic sinusitis fails to respond to medication. This procedure was cleared by the FDA in 2005. Also known as balloon catheter dilation, the procedure uses small balloon catheters to inflate and drain the nasal sinuses.
Balloon sinuplasty requires no cutting, so it won’t cause any physical changes to your face, and you won’t have to worry about discoloration or bruising. Dr. McCutcheon at Memorial Village ENT performs sinuplasty by inserting a small balloon made from latex-free plastic into your sinus cavity through one of your nostrils. Once in place, he gently inflates the balloon to open the blocked cavity before flushing the cavity with saline and often medications. The balloon is then deflated and removed.
This unique sinus treatment is clinically proven to be safe and effective. Because balloon sinuplasty requires no incisions, or tissue removal, the risk of complications such as infection, swelling, bruising, and bleeding are minimal. Balloon sinuplasty can also significantly improve your quality of life by relieving bothersome sinusitis symptoms and by decreasing or eliminating the need for sinus medication.
This innovative treatment is a minimally invasive approach that provides relief from long-term sinus problems. Dr. McCutcheon performs balloon sinuplasty while you’re under local or general anesthesia.
After the procedure, Dr. McCutcheon will prescribe medications to manage any discomfort you may experience. Because bleeding is minimal, nasal packing isn’t required. Nasal packing involves placing a gauze-like material in your nasal cavity, and it can be painful to remove.
Unlike conventional sinus surgery, you can usually return to work and get back to your regular activities within a day or two following the procedure. Balloon sinuplasty is performed in-office and usually takes approximately two hours. Patients go home the same day.
To find out if you’re a candidate for balloon sinuplasty, request an appointment online at Memorial Village ENT, or call the office at (281)-822-3777.
