• People suffering from sinusitis should see an ENT specialist to help improve their quality of life.
• Untreated sinusitis can lead to the patient's personal and work life being affected.
• There are minimally invasive treatment options available, such as a balloon sinuplasty procedure.
Dr. Franklyn Gergits of Sinus and Allergy Wellness Center said that if sinusitis sufferers seek help from a specialist, they'll have access to minimally invasive procedures, such as a balloon sinuplasty, which will help lead to a better quality of life.
"Quality of life is huge," Gergits told Patient Daily. "We kind of take it for granted that we're living our best life, but maybe we're not. Maybe there's inflammation that's taking place inside the nasal cavity that's causing facial pressure, facial pain, thick drainage, sore throat, cough, flareups of asthma. Maybe we're not getting the best quality sleep, and sleep is so important. That's another overlooked symptom. If quality of life is not optimized, then it's our job as physicians and providers to try to help patients navigate through those challenges and help them seek relief."
Chronic sinusitis is one of the most common chronic medical conditions among Americans, according to the Official Journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, and it is proven to negatively impact a patient's quality of life. Early intervention for a sinus patient not only increases their immediate quality of life, but also improves long-term relief and reduces health care costs.
The Indian Journal of Otolaryngology conducted a study comparing patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) with patients who opted for a balloon sinuplasty to treat chronic sinusitis and found that, although both procedures are effective, balloon sinuplasty patients needed fewer antibiotic treatments after their procedures. FESS also involves removing sinus tissue, while balloon sinuplasty is "traumatic" because it doesn't involve removing tissue, instead relying only on dilation.
Many patients who undergo a minimally invasive surgery also find that their sleep quality improves after having the procedure, according to Atlanta ENT Sinus & Allergy Associates. A study of more than 500 patients who underwent sinus surgery found significant improvement in the patients' sleep quality and overall quality of life.
"Since sinusitis can cause so many different ailments -- like facial pain, facial pressure, nasal congestion, drainage -- if we can resolve those problems, then we're not surprised," Gergits said. "But patients are often surprised that their quality of life gets that much better, because their breathing pathway and the chronic sinus infections are now a thing of the past."
A balloon sinuplasty procedure takes only 10 to 15 minutes, and patients typically recover within one to two days. Most patients can resume their normal activities during that time period, although they may experience some swelling for up to a week, according to Eisemann Plastic Surgery Center.
To learn more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.
