Myths and Facts About Balloon Sinuplasty

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Myths and Facts About Balloon Sinuplasty

Sinusitis is a painful condition that develops when your sinuses become swollen and inflamed. Your sinuses are the hollow spaces behind your eyes, nose, and lower forehead.When you have sinusitis, you can experience a wide range of symptoms, including:

  • Thick and discolored nasal discharge
  • Postnasal drip, or drainage in your throat
  • Difficulty breathing through your nose
  • Pain, swelling, and tenderness near your nose, cheeks, eyes, or forehead
  • A diminished sense of taste and smell
  • Pain or aching in your ear, upper jaw, or teeth
  • Cough, sore throat, or chronic throat clearing
  • Bad breath
  • Fatigue

You can have sinusitis because of a temporary infection, such as a cold. Sometimes, however, sinusitis can become chronic and last at least three months.

At Sinus & Allergy Wellness Center, Dr. Franklyn Gergits and his team offer the highest quality ear, nose, and throat services available for men and women in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills, Arizona, including balloon sinuplasty. In this blog, Dr. Gergits separates fact from fiction regarding this safe alternative to traditional sinus surgery.

Myth: Balloon sinuplasty will change my appearance

Fact: This procedure doesn’t require cutting, so it won’t cause any physical changes to your face — including discoloration or bruising. Dr. Gergits performs sinuplasty by inserting a small balloon made from a latex-free plastic into your sinus cavity through one of your nostrils. Once in place, he gently inflates the balloon to open the blocked cavity. Then Dr. Gergits flushes the area with a saline solution. After treating your sinuses, Dr. Gergits deflates the balloon and removes it.

Myth: Balloon sinuplasty is dangerous

Fact: This unique sinus treatment is clinically proven to be safe and effective. Because balloon sinuplasty doesn’t require any incisions, cutting, or tissue removal, there is little risk of complications, such as infection, swelling, bruising, and bleeding. Balloon sinuplasty can also significantly improve your quality of life by relieving your sinusitis symptoms and by reducing or eliminating your need for sinus medication.

Myth: Balloon sinuplasty is experimental

Fact: This innovative procedure has been performed for many years and is extremely effective. The FDA approved balloon sinuplasty in 2005, and a 2017 study revealed a 59% annual increase in procedures performed in the United States between 2011-2014 alone. Balloon sinuplasty has become one of the most routinely performed sinus surgeries, and 535,000 people have found sinusitis relief with this technique worldwide.

Myth: Balloon sinuplasty is painful

Fact: Dr. Gergits performs balloon sinuplasty while you’re under local or general anesthesia, so you won’t experience any pain during your procedure. Afterward, Dr. Gergits might recommend over-the-counter anti-inflammatories to help manage any mild irritation or discomfort while you recover. Balloon sinuplasty also doesn’t cause much bleeding, so there will be no need for nasal packing — a process that involves placing gauze-like material in your nasal cavity that can be painful to remove.

Myth: Balloon sinuplasty requires a long recovery time

Fact: Unlike traditional sinus surgery, you can usually resume normal activities and return to work within a day or two. Dr. Gergits performs balloon sinuplasty as an in-office procedure. It takes approximately one hour, and you can go home the same day. It’s normal to have mild symptoms, such as tenderness, fatigue, bloody drainage, and congestion for approximately a week after the procedure.

To see if balloon sinuplasty can treat your chronic sinusitis, book an appointment online or over the phone with Sinus & Allergy Wellness Center today.