SC Connecticut News

• People suffering from sinusitis should see an ENT specialist to help improve their quality of life.
• Untreated sinusitis can lead to the patient's personal and work life being affected.
• There are minimally invasive treatment options available, such as a balloon sinuplasty procedure.

Dr. Robert Weiss of CT ENT Sinus Center says that if you suffer from sinusitis, you may be able to improve your overall quality of life with a relatively simple procedure.

"If you have any allergies or sinus or nasal problems, don't accept them as status quo," Weiss told SC Connecticut News. "Get to an appropriate specialist who is very experienced in these areas and look into what can be done to help. Because a lot of times, there are things that can be done, and they're relatively easy to get done, and they can have a high impact on your symptoms and your quality of life."

Chronic sinusitis is one of the most common chronic medical conditions among Americans, according to the Official Journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, and it is proven to negatively impact a patient's quality of life. Early intervention for a sinus patient not only increases their immediate quality of life, but also improves long-term relief and reduces health care costs. However, sinusitis often goes largely untreated.

The Indian Journal of Otolaryngology conducted a study comparing patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) with patients who opted for a balloon sinuplasty to treat chronic sinusitis and found that, although both procedures are effective, balloon sinuplasty patients needed fewer antibiotic treatments after their procedures. FESS also involves removing sinus tissue, while balloon sinuplasty is "less traumatic" because it doesn't involve removing tissue, instead relying only on dilation.

Many patients who undergo a minimally invasive surgery also find that their sleep quality improves after their procedure, according to Atlanta ENT Sinus & Allergy Associates. A study of more than 500 patients who underwent sinus surgery found significant improvement in the patients' sleep quality and overall quality of life.

A balloon sinuplasty procedure takes only 10 to 15 minutes, and patients typically recover within one to two days. Most patients can resume their normal activities during that time period, although they may experience some swelling for up to a week, according to Eisemann Plastic Surgery Center.

To learn more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.