Maryland State Wire

• Chronic sinus inflammation can lead to decreased functionality and painful symptoms.

• Chronic sinusitis affects 28.9 million American adults, or 11% of the adult population

• Balloon sinuplasty procedures are effective and manageable, and recovery time is minimal.

For people with recurring sinus problems, balloon sinuplasty is a great solution, according to Dr. Jamie Oberman of Frederick Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers.

The procedure involves inserting a catheter with a tiny balloon attached to it into the sinus cavity. The balloon is slowly inflated to open the sinus cavity, then deflated and removed to improve the patient's breathing.

"I have a patient who is a college athlete, Division 1 at Boston College, women's  lacrosse, a nationally ranked team," Oberman told Maryland State Wire. "She's the goalie. We did her surgery in 2017. She honestly said it was life-changing. She became a better athlete; she became a better student. She wasn't missing school. She got into her top choice of school because of her improved performance at school from her surgery and was a nationally sought-after athlete with a Division 1 scholarship. So I like to use her as an example of how dramatic life changes can be."

Nasal inflammation is swelling of the tissue that lines the sinuses, according to the American Sinus Institute. Also known as sinusitis, this condition blocks the air passageways, causing mucus to increase and potentially causing an infection. This type of ailment is common and can be caused by something as simple as the common cold. 

Serious complications can result from untreated sinusitis, such as vision loss or other infections, according to the Mayo Clinic.           

Chronic sinusitis affects 28.9 million American adults, or 11% of the adult population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Chronic sinusitis is the cause of 4.1 million doctor visits and more than 230,000 emergency room visits each year.

Balloon sinuplasty is often recommended for people who are suffering from chronic sinusitis, after other treatments for their condition have been ineffective. Balloon sinuplasty is fairly straightforward, and reported complications are minimal. There are no incisions and no removal of bone or tissue, according to Healthline.

After a balloon sinuplasty, many people are able to return to their regular activities within a day or two. Some people are even able to drive themselves home after the procedure.

Frederick Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers offers a Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz to evaluate your sinus symptoms.