PHX Reporter

• 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.

An early intervention for sinus patients not only increases their immediate quality of life but also improves long-term relief and reduces health care costs.

Many patients who undergo a minimally invasive surgery to treat their chronic sinusitis also find that after the surgery, their quality of sleep drastically improves, 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.

Dr. John Stewart of Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told PHX Reporter that people suffering from sinusitis should see an ENT specialist for treatment to prevent their condition from affecting many aspects of their life. 

"A study by the National Institutes of Health showed that over a one-year period, there were up to 73 million restricted-activity days related to sinusitis and total direct medical costs of almost $2.4 billion, not including surgery or radiographic imaging," Stewart told PHX Reporter. "Unresolved sinusitis becomes a quality-of-life issue, taking people away from their jobs, family, friends and obligations."

Chronic sinusitis is one of the most common chronic medical conditions among Americans, and it can have a negative effect on the patient's quality of life, according to the Official Journal of the American Academy of Otolarygology. They 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 involves removing sinus tissue, while balloon sinuplasty procedures are "less traumatic" because they don't include removing any tissue, instead relying on dilation to improve sinus function.

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.

For more information about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.