Both sinusitis and nasal obstruction can be a source immense pain and discomfort. Living with either can make your life miserable. Daily activities like eating, talking and sleeping can be much more difficult. But what many people don’t realize is that both both sinusitis and nasal obstruction can often be effectively treated with a variety of medical and surgical options. Our sinus team can address your sinus issues through sinus medications, endoscopic sinus surgery or non surgical balloon sinuplasty.
Balloon Sinuplasty is a non-surgical procedure to treat chronic sinusitis. With Balloon Sinuplasty, there is no cutting of nasal bone or tissue, so recovery times are typically faster than traditional sinus surgery. The procedure is performed in the office with local anesthesia and many patients are able to return to normal activities within a few days.
Developed in the 1950s, the nasal endoscope has revolutionized sinusitis surgery. In the past, the surgical strategy was to remove all sinus mucosa from the major sinuses. The use of an endoscope is linked to the theory that the best way to obtain normal, healthy sinuses is to open the natural pathways to the sinuses. Once an improved drainage system is achieved, the diseased sinus mucosa has an opportunity to return to normal.
Sinuses are hollow areas in the bones of the face. Inside the nose and in the sinuses, small abnormal growths of skin and tissue can develop and obstruct the nasal passages. These growths frequently end up being “nasal polyps,” which can develop in any of the sinuses and in both sides of the nose. It’s not clear why people develop nasal polyps, but many people who have nasal polyps also have “chronic sinusitis,” a condition that can cause a stuffy nose.
Sinusitis is an inflammation, or swelling, of the membrane lining of any sinus, especially one of the paranasal sinuses. Normally, the sinuses are filled with air, but when sinuses become blocked and filled with fluid, this can cause pressure and pain. Bacteria, viruses and fungi can multiply, resulting in an infection. In addition, some studies have shown that structural issues such as narrowed drainage pathways may also lead to sinusitis outbreaks.
Each year, more than 37 million Americans (one out of every eight adults) suffer from sinusitis. Symptoms can include:
There are two main types of sinusitis: acute (sudden onset) and chronic (long-term). Acute sinusitis usually is preceded by a cold, allergy attack, or irritation by environmental pollutants, and may last up to a month. Acute sinusitis typically responds well to antibiotics and decongestants, with many people recovering without treatment.
Chronic sinusitis is characterized by at least four recurrences of acute sinusitis. Symptoms of chronic sinusitis may be less severe than those of acute; however, untreated chronic sinusitis can cause damage to the sinuses and cheekbones that sometimes requires surgery to repair.
A nasal obstruction is anything that blocks one or both of the nasal passages, and prevents a normal, comfortable amount of air from passing through the nose. Most cases of nasal obstruction are temporary, caused by chronic sinusitis, nasal allergens and irritants, or overuse of nasal sprays. The blockage may also be caused by a structural abnormality, such as a deviated septum (when a bend of the septum prevents proper airflow through the nose), enlarged adenoids or turbinate bones, or nasal polyps.
If the nasal obstruction appears to coincide with a certain time of year, it may be caused by an allergy, such as to pollen. If the blockage appears to be on only one side of the nose, then an anatomical cause is more likely.
Symptoms of nasal obstruction include:
Atlanta Institute For ENT specializes in Balloon Sinuplasty™- a nonsurgical, outpatient procedure using a small Sinus Balloon catheter to open up blocked sinus passageways and restore normal sinus drainage and function. When the sinus balloon is inflated, it gently restructures and widens the walls of the passageway while maintaining the integrity of the sinus lining.
Treatment for nasal obstruction varies, depending on the type of obstruction and underlying cause. Often medications (decongestants, antihistamines and steroid sprays) are utilized as the first step in treatment of nasal obstruction. In other cases, surgery is the best option.
What many patients don’t know is that there are treatment options available for many sinus and nasal conditions beyond over-the-counter medications.
Atlanta Institute for ENT offers many innovative solutions to treat chronic sinusitis, including medical therapy, endoscopic sinus surgery, and Balloon Sinuplasty™.
Surgical treatments for nasal obstruction include:
