Sinusitis has been bothering you for a number of years, but your Neti pot and some over-the-counter medications have always helped—until now. These days, the headache, mucous, and congestion worsen daily. Is there a way to relieve your symptoms without invasive sinus surgery? At South Coast Ear, Nose & Throat, your Port St. Lucie ENT doctors perform less intrusive balloon sinuplasty, and frankly, it really works. Just ask Dr. Berghash, Dr. Lanza, or Dr. Wright when you come in for a consultation.

What is sinusitis?

Also termed rhinosinusitis, sinusitis affects 30 million Americans, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Inflammation and build-up of mucus in the empty spaces behind the forehead, cheeks, and other areas of the face cause acute and recurring symptoms. These symptoms include headache, malaise, pressure, and mucus accumulation. Sinusitis may be related to allergies, viruses, bacteria, or environmental irritants such as cigarette smoke.

Treating sinusitis

Whether your sinusitis is acute or chronic, treatment begins with an examination by one of our Port St. Lucie ENT doctors. They will review your symptoms, medications, and history while also palpating your face to determine the areas of tenderness and congestion.

The doctor may additionally look up your nose with a lighted otoscope and order a CT scan or other imaging to visualize the interior structures of your nose and sinuses. Sometimes, sinus infections occur because of nasal polyps (fleshy, benign growths in the nose and sinuses), a deviated septum, or other problems with the bone and cartilage.

Your physician may prescribe decongestants and/or steroidal sprays to relieve congestion, as well as antibiotics to clear any infection. However, if sinusitis becomes chronic—lasting for months, rather than days or weeks—you may be a candidate for balloon sinuplasty.

Balloon sinuplasty and you

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure designed to drain the sinuses of mucous by flushing them with a saline solution, opening up narrowed passages. The doctor inserts a catheter into the nose and inflates the attached balloon when it is correctly positioned.

Usually, patients find relief almost immediately from their congestion. Results can last indefinitely, the procedure causes no appreciable downtime—a day at most—though some nasal swelling afterward is to be expected. Most balloon sinuplasty procedures can be performed right at South Coast Ear, Nose and Throat by one of our board-certified otolaryngologists.

Learn more

You do not have to suffer with recurring sinus infections. Consult with the experts at South Coast Ear, Nose and Throat, and get back to a symptom-free life. Call (772) 398-9911 to book a consultation with our office at Port St. Lucie, (772) 464-6055 for Fort Pierce, or (863) 357-7791 for Okeechobee.