Sinusitis affects nearly 30 million Americans every year. While acute cases subside on their own or respond to medication, chronic sinusitis lingers or recurs and doesn’t respond to treatment. Symptoms include a runny nose, congestion, trouble breathing through the nose and pain behind the nose, eyes and cheeks. Before balloon sinuplasty came along, the only treatment options were medication and surgery. Balloon sinuplasty gives us a simple and straightforward procedure that often provides instant relief.
During a balloon sinuplasty with our Boca Raton ENT doctors, a small catheter is inserted into your nostril. We use the catheter to guide a balloon to the blocked area of your sinuses, where we slowly inflate the balloon to unblock and widen your passages. Once the congested areas have been unblocked, we will flush the area with saline and remove the catheter and balloon. Most people experience a sensation of pressure during the procedure, but no pain.
The recovery period after a balloon sinuplasty tends to be very smooth and you shouldn’t experience any pain. You should be able to leave your doctor’s office a few hours after your procedure. Most people are able to return to work after one to two days. Plan to take it easy for the first week or so, avoiding any strenuous activity or exercise. You may experience some congestion during the first few days. Sleeping with your head elevated should make you more comfortable and will help your sinuses drain naturally.
After your balloon sinuplasty procedure, your sinus pathways will be clear of blockages and mucus. You should experience improvements in your breathing, and you will probably sleep better. Since your pathways have been widened and cleaned out, you should also experience fewer sinus infections moving forward. Most people can expect to enjoy their results for two years or more.
