Chronic sinusitis suffers may finally experience some relief with new sinus procedure

People who suffer from chronic sinusitis may find much-needed relief with a medical procedure done by doctors at Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers called balloon sinuplasty.

Dr. Matthew Blair, a board-certified otolaryngologist at Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, said that this in-office surgery doesn't take long and provides a solution to an otherwise challenging problem.

"We take a small catheter that we insert into the natural opening of the sinus, of which we have six sinuses. We then insert the balloon into the opening of the sinuses and dilate that balloon, dilating the natural opening of the sinus, and then we deflate the balloon," Blair said. "This takes less than a minute for each sinus. What that does is permanently opens the sinuses so we can get treatment into them."

Although there is no cutting or removal of bone, balloon sinuplasty is still a type of sinus surgery, and it carries the same kinds of risks that other types of sinus surgery do.

According to Healthline, balloon sinuplasty was approved by the Food and Drug Administration 16 years ago and is most often recommended for chronic sinusitis sufferers who haven't had success with other treatments.

Patients who opt for this minimally invasive surgery are often able to return to their regular activities within a few days. Some even drive themselves home after the procedure.

People who think they may suffer from chronic sinusitis are encouraged to take Gulf Coast Breathe Free's online sinus quiz. 

Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers is committed to providing the best sinus and allergy relief in the entire Panhandle area, using the most advanced, proven patient-friendly techniques available. With 29 million Americans suffering from sinusitis and 242,000 annual chronic sinusitis ER visits, our mission is to provide minimally invasive options for needed long-lasting relief so that patients can get back to living. We call this mission Breathe Free and Live Well, and it is the North Star that guides us in each unique collaborative patient interaction. To learn more about Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, please visit our website.