Sinusitis
Ear Nose and Throat Diseases
What is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the air-filled spaces within the facial bones, known as sinuses. It often presents with symptoms such as nasal congestion, yellow-green nasal discharge, postnasal drip, headache, and difficulty in smelling.
What Kind of Disease is Sinusitis?
The human skull contains seven hollow spaces known as sinuses. These spaces are typically filled with air and serve to reduce the weight of the skull and modulate voice resonance. The sinuses include two located in the forehead between the eyebrows, two between the eyes resembling honeycombs, two in the cheeks near the eyes, and one either above the back of the nose or near the base of the skull. All these sinuses have small openings that connect them to the nasal passages, allowing for a constant exchange of air. During exhalation, warm air from the lungs passes through the nasal passages and enters these sinuses, ventilating them before exiting through the nose. When the openings to these air-filled sinuses become blocked, it can result in an infection within the sinus cavities, leading to a condition known as sinusitis. Sinusitis can affect one or more sinuses and can be acute or chronic.
How Does Sinusitis Affect Quality of Life?
Sinusitis, even more than conditions like hypertension and rheumatism, can significantly impair an individual's quality of life. It affects not only physical well-being but also has psychological implications. Sinusitis can lead to symptoms such as nasal congestion, pain in the forehead, weakness, fatigue, mouth breathing, and snoring, as well as potentially giving rise to gastrointestinal, intestinal, and respiratory issues. Therefore, it is crucial to seek treatment for sinusitis.
How is Classic Sinusitis Treated?
Acute sinusitis can often be resolved with medical treatment, such as medications, and may improve on its own in some cases. However, chronic sinusitis, where the openings to the sinuses remain blocked, cannot be effectively treated with medication alone. In cases of chronic sinusitis, surgical intervention is often required to widen the sinus openings and restore airflow into the sinuses. This surgical procedure is typically performed endoscopically, using an endoscope to access and widen the sinus openings. Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) has become the most common surgical approach for the treatment of chronic sinusitis, thanks to advancements in endoscopic technology.
However, even with successful ESS, the widened sinus openings may not remain permanent. Scar tissue and adhesions that develop as part of the healing process can cause these openings to close over time, resulting in a surgical complication.
Get Rid of Sinusitis in 20 Minutes
How is Non-Surgical Sinusitis Treatment "Balloon Sinuplasty" Performed?
"Balloon Sinuplasty" is a minimally invasive procedure that treats sinusitis without causing any damage to nasal tissues, bleeding, or the need for nasal packing. This method is similar to the technique used to open blocked heart arteries. In this procedure, a deflated balloon is inserted into the blocked sinus opening. Once the balloon is in the correct position, it is inflated, applying gentle pressure to expand and open the blocked or narrowed sinus passageway.
What are the Advantages of "Balloon Sinuplasty"?
This procedure is advantageous because it is minimally invasive and avoids the complications associated with traditional sinus surgery. It does not involve cutting or removal of tissues, so there is minimal discomfort, and patients typically recover quickly. There is also a reduced risk of complications related to the eyes, brain, or vascular structures. Patients can usually be discharged on the same day and return to their normal activities within a day or two. Post-operative pain is generally minimal. "Balloon Sinuplasty" can be applied to various sinusitis cases, but it is particularly successful in selected cases. This method represents a significant advancement in the treatment of sinusitis, providing a less invasive alternative to traditional surgical procedures. It offers a breakthrough solution for individuals who have been hesitant about sinus surgery.
Please note that "Balloon Sinuplasty" is not suitable for patients with large nasal polyps, those with extremely blocked sinuses, or individuals under 17 years old.