What do a stuffy nose, trouble breathing and facial pain have in common? They are all symptoms of sinusitis, which occurs when mucus cannot drain properly because the sinuses are swollen. If you’re dealing with this, you’re not alone—it affects more than 30 million people in the United States. Managing your sinus health can be a significant step toward improving your overall quality of life, and our team at Arthur Rosner, MD, can help.
Is It Acute or Chronic?
Acute sinusitis usually resolves on its own within a week. It’s often the result of a cold. Options for relieving your symptoms include:
- Over-the-counter pain medications
- Allergy medications
- Saline nasal spray
When sinusitis lasts more than 12 weeks, it’s considered chronic. This is often the result of allergies, nasal polyps, deviated septum or facial trauma.
If you’re experiencing chronic sinusitis, we’ll work with you to determine which treatment will bring you relief. Options include treatment of underlying conditions like allergies or asthma or medication like corticosteroid sprays to reduce swelling. Surgery may be recommended for nasal polyps or a deviated septum.
Would I Benefit from a Balloon Sinuplasty?
If medication isn’t working and you want to avoid traditional surgery, a balloon sinuplasty is a newer treatment that’s helped many patients find relief. During this FDA-approved procedure, a small balloon is inserted into the sinuses to further open them without removing tissue. It’s often a good fit for patients with mind sinusitis, can tolerate local anesthesia and do not have tumors or nasal polyps.
Along with a recovery time of just a few days, a balloon sinuplasty has a lower risk of complications and does not leave visible scarring or bruising.
To learn more about this procedure and other options for treating sinusitis, call our team at (248) 844-2936.