When you are diagnosed with recurrent or acute sinusitis, the first plan of action is usually to use conservative treatments to relieve your symptoms. If these fail to help, your ear, nose & throat doctor Houston, TX, may recommend sinus surgery. Over 30 million people in the United States live with sinus problems. Sinus surgery is an effective way of providing permanent relief for these issues. But if the prospect seems daunting, here are four benefits you can focus on as you set your appointment.
Types of Sinus Surgery
There are several sinus surgery procedures, but the following two are the most effective:
1.Balloon Sinuplasty
Balloon sinuplasty is a non-surgical procedure FDA-approved for sinus treatment. Your doctor will usually place you under general or local anesthesia and then insert a balloon catheter into the problematic sinus through your nostril. Once the catheter is in place, it will gently inflate it, causing your sinus to open, resume normal drainage, and begin restructuring itself. The benefits of balloon sinuplasty include the following:
- It does not involve any incisions or surgery
- It requires very little downtime
- You can breathe normally immediately after the procedure.
2.Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)
Alternatively, your doctor may recommend FESS. During this procedure, they will insert a small tube with a camera attachment into your nostril to help them operate surgical instruments. Your doctor will use these instruments to remove excess bone, tissue, or benign polyps around your sinuses. This minimally-invasive procedure provides the following benefits:
- It involves smaller incisions than traditional nasal surgery
- There is less bleeding and a less downtime
- There is zero external scarring
- It is low-risk with long-lasting results
Benefits of Sinus Surgery
Balloon sinuplasty and FESS and non-invasive and minimally-invasive procedures that offer permanent relief for your sinus problems. But what are the overall benefits of sinus surgery to your health?
1.Improved Quality of Life
According to a survey done by the Oregon Health and Science University, 76 percent of sinus surgery patients reported improved quality of life following their procedure. Timothy L. Smith, the head of the study, confirmed that the relief provided by sinus surgery made patients more productive and less irritable, significantly improving their daily lives.
2.Reduced Facial Pressure and Pain
Sinus infections are often accompanied by facial pain and pressure, usually felt around the teeth, the roof of the mouth, behind the eyes, or over the bridge of the nose. This pain can be so intense that you are unable to engage in daily activities. By opening blocked sinuses, sinus surgery can relieve this pain.
3.Fewer Headaches and Sinus Infections
Sinus surgery opens up the drainage pathways in your sinuses, lowering the risk of blockages that often cause sinus headaches and infections. This can relieve associated symptoms, such as bad breath, a runny or blocked nose, and head pain.
4.More Effective Medication Administration
It is important to note that while sinus surgery is an effective treatment for sinus problems, it is not a replacement for medication. You may still need to address the occasional inflammation with medication. That said, surgery widens your natural sinus pathways, making it easier for nebulized drugs, medical rinses, and sprays to reach your sinuses and work better and faster.
Conclusion
Acute or chronic sinus problems can lower your quality of life by causing you pain and affecting your breathing. Sinus surgery provides permanent relief to these issues, allowing you to live a pain-free, happy life. To learn more, contact Houston’s Cecil Yeung, MD, and his team today.
