Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers is using cutting-edge CT technology to diagnose patients

Patients of Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers are enjoying a high level of service and success, thanks to computerized tomography (CT) technology that the clinic is using to diagnose sinus patients.

A CT scan combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around the body and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images (slices) of the bones, blood vessels and soft tissues inside the body. According to Mayo Clinic, CT scan images provide more-detailed information than plain X-rays do, meaning patients are able to be diagnosed and treated faster and more effectively than ever before. 

Dr. Matthew Blair of Gulf Coast Breathe Free encourages patients to come to the clinic and enjoy the benefits of CT technology, saying that it can be superior to the experience of a hospital.

"We're really trying to take all of our nasal procedures out of the hospital. Especially in today's world, we really want to try to do it in the office, get people out of the hospital system and save the hospital system for things far more serious, like pneumonia and heart attacks and strokes and real emergencies and make the patient more comfortable," Blair said. "Even the quality of life of going to an office setting is better than going into the hospital. There's no need to find parking, there's no validation of parking to sit and wait for hours. You don't fast before your procedure, most likely."

While many patients may be familiar with CT technology, it is relatively new to field of sinusitis. A CT scan has many uses, but it's particularly well-suited to quickly examine people who may have internal injuries from car accidents or other types of trauma. A CT scan can be used to visualize nearly all parts of the body and is used to diagnose disease or injury, as well as to plan medical, surgical or radiation treatment.

According to Blair, CT scans are one of the most effective tools at their disposal. "We have a CT scanner in the office. A scan takes less than 10 minutes, and the radiation is minimal. Instead of having three or four appointments, you can get a comprehensive diagnosis versus having multiple appointments and going to different facilities for your scan."

Patients are encouraged to take the sinus quiz to evaluate their symptoms. 

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.