Are You a Candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty?

Nearly everyone will experience blocked sinuses at some time, typically when they contract respiratory infections or a cold. But some people have a chronic condition that causes frequently blocked sinuses that don’t improve with conservative treatments.

If you struggle with repeated or ongoing sinus infections and your over-the-counter or do-it-yourself treatments aren’t providing relief, board-certified ear, nose, and throat specialist Anil Gupta, MD at Gupta ENT Center in Royal Oak, Michigan, may recommend a balloon sinuplasty procedure. Dr Gupta is one of the earliest users of balloon technology in the area and is one of the most experienced balloon sinuplasty practitioners in Oakland county.

What is a balloon sinuplasty?

Balloon sinuplasty, also called balloon sinus dilation, relieves sinus symptoms for people suffering from chronically blocked sinuses by dilating the sinus openings. Minimally invasive, balloon sinuplasty is an endoscopic procedure performed under local anesthesia. There is no need to remove nasal tissue or bone, and most people do not need any incisions during the procedure.

Dr. Gupta guides a wire catheter into the blocked sinus passages. A balloon gently widens and opens the sinus, allowing natural drainage to restore normal sinus functioning. No stents, packing or foreign material are left in the nose or sinus.

Best candidates for the balloon sinuplasty procedure

If you have had three or more infections per year, you’re likely an ideal candidate for a balloon sinuplasty. The procedure is often recommended for people with sinus infections that last more than 12 weeks, despite attempts to treat them. Early diagnosis and treatment increase the likelihood that the procedure will successfully relieve your symptoms and permanently correct the sinus issue.

You’re also a potential candidate for balloon sinuplasty if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Recurring sinus infections that don’t improve with medication
• Four or more sinus infections in the past year
• Frequent sinus headaches
• Pain around your eyes
• Chronic nasal blockages
• Chronic nasal mucus discharge
• Blocked ears or a full feeling in your ears
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Chronic bad breath
• Changes to your sense of smell
• Chronic fatigue and sleep disruption

If a deviated septum or polyps cause your sinus issues, you may not be suitable for a balloon sinuplasty. Some long-standing chronic sinus issues require a combination of surgical treatments.

Advantages of balloon sinuplasty

Compared with other surgical treatments for chronic sinus issues, balloon sinuplasty offers several advantages:

• No incisions required
• No bone or tissue removed
• Lower risk of infection and complications
• Less pain than traditional open-sinus surgery procedures
• Less swelling
• Less bruising
• Faster recovery time

Balloon sinuplasty is performed in the office, and most people return to their regular routine within a day or two.

Dr. Gupta provides a comprehensive examination and evaluates your medical history to determine if a balloon sinuplasty is the right procedure for you. Call the office at 248-549-9035 today.