Chronic sinusitis is a common illness that’s characterized by inflammation in the nose and sinuses that don’t go away even after you take medication. This can cause uncomfortable symptoms that linger for months on end, but many patients can get relief from a procedure called balloon sinuplasty.
In this blog, the board-certified physicians at eos sleep in NYC explain what’s involved in a balloon sinuplasty procedure:
What is balloon sinuplasty?
Balloon sinuplasty is an FDA-approved, minimally invasive procedure that ear, nose, and throat specialists use to treat chronic sinusitis. This condition is characterized by inflamed and swollen sinus cavities that last for at least 12 weeks and resist attempts to treat it. It can cause a long list of annoying symptoms, including nasal congestion, thick nasal discharge, fatigue, and facial pain.
How is balloon sinuplasty performed?
This procedure is performed in the doctor’s office using local anesthesia. No cutting is involved, and there’s no removal of bone and tissue.
Your doctor will insert a balloon catheter into your nose and your inflamed sinus. The balloon is then gently inflated, which expands the sinus opening. A saline spray is used to flush out mucus, and then the balloon is deflated and removed. Your sinus openings will be permanently widened, and blockages will be removed.
Who is a good candidate for this procedure?
If you’ve had sinusitis symptoms that last for at least three months and haven’t responded to medication, you may be a good candidate for the balloon sinuplasty procedure.
However, if your sinusitis is caused by a structural issue – such as a deviated septum (crooked or off-center wall of bone and cartilage between your nostrils) or nasal polyps (non-cancerous growths on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses) – you won’t benefit from a balloon sinuplasty. Instead, you’ll probably be helped by septoplasty or functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).
What are the benefits of balloon sinuplasty?
The following are some benefits of the balloon sinuplasty procedure:
- Safe and effective
- Non-invasive
- Requires only local anesthesia
- Requires no hospital stay
- Can quickly return to normal activities (usually within 24 to 48 hours)
- Works well for patients who wouldn’t be candidates for traditional surgery because of age, health, etc.
What is recovery like?
After balloon sinuplasty, you should be able to return to your regular activities within a day or two. You might experience some swelling, congestion, or discharge in the week after your procedure, but this shouldn’t last more than 5 to 7 days.
You’ll need to avoid blowing your nose for 24 hours and should also sleep with your head elevated. Strenuous activity should be avoided for a week following the procedure.
Finally, you may be prescribed an antibiotic to help prevent infection and a saline solution to rinse your nasal passages with for a few days to a week.
If you’re suffering from chronic sinusitis symptoms such as congestion and drainage that have persisted for weeks, make an appointment today with eos sleep in NYC, located just west of Central Park. We offer chronic sinusitis treatment such as balloon sinuplasty and will devise a treatment plan help you breathe easier.