We Treat Sinusitis
Sinusitis is a common condition that afflicts over 35 million Americans every year.
What is Sinusitis?
 The sinuses are air spaces behind the bones of the upper face, between the eyes and behind the forehead, nose and cheeks. The sinuses are covered with a mucus layer and cells that contain little hairs on their surfaces called cilia. These help trap and push out bacteria and pollutants.
Each sinus has an opening that allows mucous to drain - this drainage is essential to keeping your sinuses working well and you healthy. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus lining. If the sinus opening becomes swollen shut, normal mucus drainage may not occur, and this may lead to infection and inflammation of the sinuses. While some patients can benefit from over-the-counter remedies and prescription drugs, others will require a more involved approach, and Balloon Sinuplasty has made a significant difference in our patients’ well-being.
What Causes Sinusitis?
A number of factors can cause irritation and contribute to sinusitis, including:
In addition, some studies have shown that structural issues such as narrowed drainage pathways may lead to sinusitis outbreaks.
Sinusitis Symptoms
Common symptoms of sinusitis include:
- Loss of smell or bad breath
- Cough
- Headache and facial pain or tenderness
- Lack of energy
- Nasal congestion and discharge
- Sore throat and postnasal drip
Acute, Chronic, and Recurrent Acute Sinusitis
Sinusitis can be acute, chronic or recurrent acute. Every patient is unique, and requires a personal approach to therapy. Our typical treatment options include:
- Acute -- symptoms last 10-12 days – typically addressed via self-care or medical therapy
- Chronic -- symptoms last 3 months or longer—can be addressed via medical therapy, an office procedure such as balloon sinus dilation, or functional endoscopic sinus surgery
- Recurrent Acute – multiple acute sinusitis breakouts in calendar year—can be addressed via medical therapy, an office procedure such as balloon sinus dilation, or functional endoscopic sinus surgery
Want to find out which treatment option is the best for you? Schedule your initial consultation today.
Sinusitis Treatment: Office Sinus Dilation now offered
Sinusitis sufferers–find instant relief that lasts
Office sinus dilation is a minimally invasive option that can be performed by Dr. Shea right here, in our offices. The goal of office sinus dilation is to reshape anatomy to expand sinus pathways and restore drainage. Here’s how it works:
The procedure utilizes small balloons placed in key places in the nose and sinus, which are then dilated to expand the sinus pathways. It may be an effective, lasting option for some patients whose symptoms do not resolve with medication.
The benefits of office sinus dilation include:
- Delivers instant, lasting relief [i,ii]
- Convenient, comfortable office procedure [iii]
- Quick recovery—most patients return to normal activity in 24 hours [iv]
- May reduce healthcare costs
Discuss office sinus dilation with Dr. Shea today!
Dr. Shea is a trained and experienced user of office sinus dilation technologies. Make an appointment at our office today to determine if balloon sinus dilation is right for you.
[i] Stankiewicz J, Truitt T, Atkins J, Winegar B, Cink P, Raviv J, Henderson D, Tami T. Two-year results: transantral balloon dilation of the ethmoid infundibulum. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2012 May; 2(3): 199-206. |
