Suffering From Blocked Sinuses? Learn How Balloon Sinuplasty Can Help
Blocked sinus or sinusitis is a condition when sinus blockage occurs due to inflammation of the sinuses filled with fluid. It causes difficulty breathing through the nose, pain, and swelling around the eyes.
Allergies and colds are the primary cause of blocked sinuses. If your symptoms are getting worse, contact a Marrero allergies specialist immediately.
However, several treatments can help treat blocked sinuses; one such treatment, called balloon sinuplasty, is discussed in this post.
How does balloon sinuplasty help?
Balloon sinuplasty is endoscopic nasal surgery. It is used to treat severe cases of sinusitis and blockage in the nose. It uses a balloon catheter to drain the sinuses to improve the airflow and ease breathing.
Patients who do not react to decongestants or antibiotics opt for this surgery. It is a minimally invasive procedure.
Balloon sinuplasty works by dilating the major nasal sinuses; dilation helps to clear and drain these sinuses. Allergies can lead to inflammation of the sinus membrane, which blocks the drainage, causing congestion.
The procedure of balloon sinuplasty
An ENT specialist performs the surgery. The procedure begins with administering local or general anesthesia. An endoscope and a tube with a camera and light are inserted into the nasal passages.
Once the target area is reached, a small balloon catheter is inserted along the guiding endoscopic wire. Later this balloon is inflated, and the doctor drains the sinuses and airways with a saline rinse to further remove the debris.
The balloon catheter is then withdrawn, and the sinus drains naturally.
Recovery
Patients can be discharged in a few hours after the surgery and continue their regular activities after 1-2 days.
It is strictly recommended to not blow the nose for 1-2 days after the surgery.
Benefits of a balloon sinuplasty
It is a safe procedure with little or no complications. It has some side effects that do not last long (discussed below).
Benefits include:
- Lower chances of bleeding
- Faster recovery
- No damage to sinus tissue or nearby structures
- Less requirement for postoperative medications
- Reduced scarring
Side effects of balloon sinuplasty
Common side effects include:
- Bleeding for a few days
- Nasal or cheek tenderness
- Minor swelling
- Congestion
- Infection
Severe side effects are rare; these may damage structures separating the brain from sinuses. Rarely, it may cause loss of sensation of smell.
This is a good option for people facing persistent nose blockages. This can be a one-time treatment for them.