According to the CDC, over 28 million American adults are diagnosed with sinusitis yearly. When symptoms persist, sinusitis can be painful and debilitating. If you’ve been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis and are not responding to medication, in-office balloon sinuplasty offers a minimally invasive treatment option for effective long-term relief.
What is Sinusitis?
Definition: Sinusitis is an incredibly common condition caused by inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. It may result from allergies, autoimmune disorders, or infections, commonly resulting in headaches, facial and sinus pain, eye discomfort, ear congestion/infection, and tooth pain. Acute sinusitis typically lasts up to a week, while chronic sinusitis can last for months. When sinusitis persists for more than 12 weeks, it is considered chronic.
Balloon Sinuplasty v/s Traditional Sinus Surgery
Balloon Sinuplasty is a minimally invasive in-office option to address patients with recurrent or chronic sinus infections and severe sinus headaches regularly. Unlike traditional sinus procedures, a balloon sinuplasty does not require general anesthesia, takes less time, and has a shorter recovery. Traditional sinus surgeries often require cutting and removing tissue and bone, resulting in slower healing and more pain after the procedure.
What Are The Symptoms of Sinusitis?
While symptoms may vary for each individual, the most common symptoms of sinusitis include the following:
Inflammation of the nose
Nose discharge that is thick and discolored
Throat drainage
Congested or blocked nose restricting breathing through the nose
Swelling, pain, and tenderness around your nose, cheeks, and forehead
Reduced sense of smell and taste
Headache
Sore throat
Advantages of In-Office Balloon Sinuplasty
In contrast to other sinus surgeries, balloon sinuplasty is minimally invasive and requires only a few days of recovery. Many people feel immediate relief from their sinus pain and pressure. Additionally, balloon sinuplasty can be performed in-office, eliminating the need for hospitalization. With fewer side effects and a shorter recovery time, patients can return to normal activities within a day or two.
How Can We Help?
Los Angeles area patients who are particularly good candidates for in-office balloon sinuplasty are those whose sinus pain and infections do not resolve properly with medication and often get more than two infections per year.
Most patients do this procedure in conjunction with the in-office turbinate reduction to prevent recurrent sinus infections and sinus headaches and address their daily issues with nasal congestion/obstruction and thick postnasal drip.
Los Angeles sinus patients often report the following after In-Office Balloon Sinuplasty:
Instant relief from sinus pain and pressure
Significant reduction in the number of sinus infections throughout the year
Significant reduction in lost days from work due to sinus issues
Significantly improved sleep and less snoring
Significant reduced postnasal drip as well as activation of cough and asthma issues
Reduction in medical bills by diminishing the need for future prescriptions and office visits
Minimal disruption to daily activities
Lasting and ongoing relief from sinusitis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Balloon Sinuplasty Safe?
The balloon sinuplasty procedure is highly safe and minimally invasive. In comparison to traditional sinus surgeries, balloon sinuplasty has a lower risk of bleeding and a shorter recovery time.
Is Balloon Sinuplasty right for you?
Balloon sinuplasty is typically best suited for individuals who struggle with chronic sinus infections and have not seen long-term relief from other treatments, such as nasal steroids, antibiotics, or decongestant nasal drops.
What Are The Dangers Connected With Balloon Sinuplasty?
The only side effects patients rarely report are minimal droplets of blood for a few hours after the procedure and mild congestion for a few days. However, the long-lasting benefits of this procedure significantly outweigh these issues.
Nonetheless, certain patients with rather severe deviated septums or very advanced sinus disease due to polyps, tumors, or severe infections are not candidates for this in-office procedure and must be done in the surgical center as an outpatient via minimally invasive image-guided functional endoscopic sinus surgery by our sinus specialists.
How Much Pain Is Expected After A Balloon Sinuplasty?
Recovery varies for each person, but most people can resume normal activities in one or two days. The face may feel tender for up to a week after the procedure, but most people report only mild discomfort.
How Long Will The Process Take?
Balloon sinuplasty is a simple and minimally-invasive procedure that typically takes less than 30 minutes. It is performed in office and does not require general anesthesia. Only simple topical/local anesthesia is used, and there is little to no recovery time following the procedure.
Are The Effects Of Balloon Sinuplasty Treatment Permanent?
The vast majority of people that undergo a balloon sinuplasty do not require additional procedures and report long-lasting relief.
In-Office Balloon Sinuplasty Los Angeles
Symptoms of sinusitis that do not resolve with conservative treatment may benefit from balloon sinuplasty. The sinus doctors at C/V ENT Surgical Group have treated countless patients throughout greater Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and Thousand Oaks regions who are suffering from sinusitis.
To find out if you’re a candidate for in-office balloon sinuplasty, contact our sinus specialists at C/V ENT Surgical Group in their Los Angeles offices today.
