Balloon Sinuplasty
Sinusitis affects millions of patients each year. The symptoms of this condition can be excruciatingly painful, and can interfere with a patient’s ability to function in his or her daily life. Decongestants, oral steroids, antibiotics, vaporizers, nasal sprays, and other therapies can help some patients find relief. Unfortunately, for many patients suffering from chronic sinusitis, medications and other therapies are not enough to eliminate the debilitating symptoms of the condition.
Orange County plastic surgeon William C. Cohen offers Balloon Sinuplasty™ to help patients suffering from chronic sinusitis. For Dr. Cohen’s ear, nose, and throat surgery patients in Orange County, Balloon Sinuplasty™ can safely and effectively alleviate the painful symptoms of chronic sinusitis.
Sinusitis
Normally, the sinuses are lined with a thin layer of mucus. The purpose of this mucus is to trap germs, dust, and other particles in the air. The mucus is then swept away by the tiny hair-like projections in the sinuses towards the back of the throat, where it will slide down into the stomach.
A cold, allergies, and other problems can interrupt the normal flow of mucus from the sinuses to the back of the throat, which may result in the inflammation of the mucus membranes of the nose, throat, and sinuses. This swelling traps mucus in the sinuses, obstructing the natural flow of mucus, leading to a build-up of mucus within the sinus cavities. Obstructions within the sinuses can lead to sinusitis.
Typically, sinusitis can last three to eight weeks. Sinusitis that lasts 12 weeks or longer is referred to as chronic sinusitis. Sinusitis may be caused by an infection, deviated nasal septum, or nasal polyps. The condition can affect children, young adults, middle-aged adults, and seniors.
Symptoms of Chronic Sinusitis
It is common for a patient with chronic sinusitis to experience difficulty breathing through his or her nose. Throbbing facial pain, headache, and facial swelling are also common in chronic sinusitis. Symptoms of chronic sinusitis include:
- Swelling around the cheeks, nose, eyes, or forehead
- Tenderness or pain in the cheeks, nose, eyes, or forehead
- A thick, yellow or greenish discharge from the nose
- Draining of a thick, yellow or greenish discharge down the back of the throat
- Reduced sense of smell
- Reduced sense of taste
- Pain in the ears
- Bad breath
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- An aching pain in the upper jaw
- An aching pain in the teeth
- Irritability
Finding Relief from Chronic Sinusitis with Balloon Sinuplasty™
At least 50 percent of patients suffering from chronic sinusitis do not find relief of their symptoms through medications or other therapies. For such cases, Balloon Sinuplasty™ may provide much needed relief from the painful, often debilitating symptoms associated with chronic sinusitis. Balloon Sinuplasty™ is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive procedure utilized in the treatment of the condition.
Because Balloon Sinuplasty™ does not require the removal of bone or tissue from the nose, patients are able to enjoy a shorter, easier recovery period than that associated with traditional sinus surgery. Patients are able to return to their normal day-to-day activities quickly after undergoing the Balloon Sinuplasty™ procedure. Indeed, many patients feel able and ready to return to work two or three days following their Balloon Sinuplasty™ procedure. By alleviating the symptoms of chronic sinusitis through Balloon Sinuplasty™, patients are able to enjoy a better quality of life.
Contact Us
For patients with chronic sinusitis in Orange County, rhinoplasty may be performed when the condition results from a deviated septum. The cause of chronic sinusitis and the patient’s individual needs and goals will determine the treatment best suited to each unique case. To learn more about Balloon Sinuplasty™, or to schedule a consultation with Orange County ear, nose, and throat specialist William C. Cohen, please contact THE SKIN CENTERx today.
