Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive nasal surgery that uses small balloon catheters to dilate and drain the sinuses. It is typically performed on patients suffering from sinusitis to make breathing easier and significantly reduce symptoms.
Symptoms of Sinusitis
Sinusitis affects millions of Americans every year and is often triggered by viral infections like the common cold or allergies. It occurs when your sinuses become inflamed and swollen. This decreases airflow and prevents mucus from draining properly.
Common symptoms include:
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Facial pain and/or swelling
- Loss of smell or taste
- Fatigue
- Headache
Most people with sinusitis will find relief in 7-10 days. Often, rest or over-the-counter cold or allergy treatments are all that is needed to recover. However, others experience chronic symptoms for weeks or even months.
Living with chronic sinusitis can seriously diminish your quality of life. In addition to constantly feeling tired and unwell, you are missing out on your favorite tastes and smells.
Thankfully, balloon sinuplasty can help you get back to enjoying your life.
What Happens During Balloon Sinuplasty?
Balloon sinuplasty is a safe and quite effective. One study found that the procedure was 94% effective in treating chronic sinusitis cases in children.
Unlike other sinus surgical procedures, balloon sinuplasty dilates your natural sinus openings without removing tissue. This means there is less pain and a much shorter average recovery period.
The procedure is usually performed in an outpatient setting, and the actual operating time is often under 30 minutes. You may be given a sedative and a local anesthetic to help keep you comfortable.
During the procedure your ENT surgeon uses an endoscope to guide the balloon catheter into your sinuses. The balloon is then inflated to enlarge the sinus opening and widen the walls of the nasal passages.
Recovery After Surgery
Recovery time is usually short after the procedure, lasting 1-2 days. Your doctor will probably advise you to take it easy that first week and avoid strenuous exercise.
It’s also important to avoid blowing your nose the first few days after surgery. Over-the-counter medication like Tylenol or Advil can help with any discomfort and sleeping with your head and neck elevated can help with any drainage issues.
If you suffer from chronic sinusitis, consider balloon sinuplasty. It can greatly reduce your symptoms with minimal pain and a short recovery time.
For more information about balloon sinuplasty, call the experts at Midwest Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists today.