Allergy season is rearing its head once again. Patients in Frisco and Plano might already be feeling the effects of cedar tree pollen in the air. When your congestion and sneezing make their annual debut, consider one symptom relief option you may not have tried yet: Balloon Sinuplasty.
How Can Balloon Sinuplasty Help?
Your sinuses are air-filled cavities behind your face. When something like pollen irritates the sinuses, they become inflamed, narrowing the space needed to drain mucus. Unfortunately, allergies can also increase mucus production, leaving you with excess mucus and not enough room to drain it. The result is clogged, uncomfortable sinuses that can cause facial pressure, tooth pain or difficulty breathing.
Balloon Sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to widen the sinus cavities. Think of it like removing a kink from a garden hose. When the water doesn’t have to move through a narrowed space, it can flow more easily. Similarly, when mucus doesn’t have to move through the inflamed, narrow sinuses, it can drain more easily, leading to rapid symptom relief.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Balloon Sinuplasty?
The word “procedure” creates the mental image of a post-operative patient lying on the couch for weeks, but that isn’t the case with Balloon Sinuplasty. You can get back to your favorite spring activities within 24 to 48 hours, so long as you avoid strenuous activity for the first week or two.
Will I Still Need To Take Allergy Medication?
Balloon Sinuplasty will alleviate some of your sinus symptoms, such as congestion, facial pain and tooth pain. However, you may still experience other allergy symptoms, including but not limited to:
- Red or watery eyes
- Swelling around the eyes
- Itchy eyes or nose
- Sneezing
- Hives
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
If you experience any of the above symptoms, allergy medications such as antihistamines, mast cell inhibitors or allergy eye drops can provide temporary relief. If you have a Balloon Sinuplasty, you should check with your sinus specialist before using decongestants or nasal corticosteroids. Your specialist may recommend rinsing your nostrils with a nasal spray following the procedure.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
An estimated 81 million people in the United States have hay fever, according to a 2021 study. If you’re among those struggling with seasonal symptoms, contact Collin County ENT today to see if Balloon Sinuplasty is right for you.