If your pockets are stuffed with tissues, there’s pressure behind your eyes, and you feel like you’re breathing through a straw, you’re probably among the millions who suffer with chronic sinusitis.
This common condition affects 7 to 15% of the population. The culprit is inflammation that narrows or blocks the sinuses. This inflammation can also cause sinus infections and polyps, which are soft noncancerous growths inside the nose.
The first line of treatment for chronic sinusitis is generally topical corticosteroids, or nasal sprays, to reduce inflammation inside the nose. Salt water rinses can also be used to clean excess snot and relieve congestion.
When these therapies fail and people come to my Ear, Nose and Throat clinic, they’ve typically been having symptoms including pressure, recurrent sinus infections, difficulty breathing and loss of smell for three months or more.
Fortunately, we have effective treatment options to choose from, including minimally invasive procedures and newer medications.
Balloon sinus dilation is one of our newer minimally-invasive office procedures. It involves gently inserting and inflating a small balloon in the nasal cavity to expand and drain nasal passages. It offers symptomatic relief and a quick recovery.
Endoscopic sinus surgery is a minimally invasive procedure and can be performed in the clinic or the operating room. For this, we use a thin tube called an endoscope to see inside the nose and remove tissue or polyps, reduce the size of the turbinates and drain your sinuses. This procedure will allow for better delivery of medications and should decrease the severity and frequency of infections
Drug-eluting stents are a relatively new treatment option. These are inserted into the sinuses endoscopically and release an anti-inflammatory medication over time.
Finally, newer biologic medications are also an option. These self-administered injections are designed to address the inflammatory response.
While effective, these can be expensive if not covered by insurance. There are potential side effects and they are lifetime therapies, meaning you need to stay on the medication to continue receiving the benefit. There’s also some risk of developing a resistance to the medication.
With this wide array of treatment options, more people are finding lasting relief from chronic sinusitis. To find the treatment that’s right for you, call (402) 758-5600 or go to CHIhealth.com/ENT.
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