6 Signs You Could Be a Good Candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty - Chicago ENT

6 Signs You Could Be a Good Candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty

Do you often struggle with congestion? Do you frequently experience facial pain or pressure?

You may have a sinus infection or sinusitis. If you’re dealing with persistent, recurring, or severe sinus issues, balloon sinuplasty can get your symptoms under control and provide lasting relief.

Keep reading to learn about 6 signs you could be a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty and how it could help if you struggle with sinus issues!

What is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis occurs when your sinuses are inflamed. This may be due to bacteria, viruses, or a fungus infection. Sinuses are hollow, air-filled spaces in your skull.

The sinuses are found in your forehead, eyes, nose, and cheeks. The tissue lining your sinuses constantly produces mucus.

The mucus keeps the inside of the nose moist. It also traps and removes bacteria, viruses, allergens, dust, and debris you may inhale.

The mucus drains from your sinuses and into the nose and throat. When you have a sinus infection, tissues in your sinuses swell, preventing mucus from draining as it should.

Because of this, mucus can build up, providing an ideal environment for germs like bacteria to grow more easily and cause an infection.

6 Signs You Could Be a Balloon Sinuplasty Candidate

Balloon sinuplasty may be right for you if:

1.    You’ve Had Three or More Sinus Infections in the Past 12 Months

Chronic sinusitis is the long-term infection or inflammation of the sinuses with symptoms that last for three months or longer. The persistent symptoms of chronic sinusitis, including headache, ear pain, toothache, and a general feeling of being ill, can cause significant discomfort and pain.

Experiencing these symptoms can make it more challenging to participate in daily activities such as working and exercising. If dealing with the ongoing symptoms of a chronic sinus infection has taken a toll on you, you could be a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty.

Balloon sinuplasty is a quick and highly effective outpatient procedure performed at Chicago ENT. During the treatment, your ENT specialist will insert a tiny balloon catheter through your nose and into the blocked sinus cavities, one at a time.

Once they are in the correct position, they’ll inflate the balloon, which gently and permanently widens your sinuses, allowing them to drain correctly. Balloon sinuplasty offers immediate and lasting relief from the troublesome symptoms of chronic sinusitis, leading to a better quality of life.

2.    Your Symptoms Haven’t Responded Well to Medication

Over-the-counter medications like antihistamines, prescription medications, or at-home remedies like saline nasal sprays can alleviate sinusitis symptoms. However, if your symptoms persist, worsen, or don’t respond to these treatment options, you may be a suitable balloon sinuplasty candidate.

Balloon sinuplasty provides long-term relief by opening up your passageways and flushing your sinuses, enabling mucus to drain freely.

3.    You Have a Deviated Septum

A deviated septum could be responsible for recurring sinus infections. The septum is the wall of cartilage and bone that divides your nose into the left and right nostrils.

An off-center or crooked septum is known as a deviated septum. You may be born with a deviated septum, or it may occur after an injury to the nose.

A deviated septum can cause uneven airflow through your nose. Air tends to move at high speed through the narrower side of the deviation, causing the lining to dry out faster and become inflamed or swollen.

The swelling may interfere with normal drainage, causing mucus to build up inside the sinus cavities. The accumulation of mucus can provide the prime environment for bacteria to thrive, leading to a sinus infection.

If you’re suffering from recurring sinus infections due to a deviated septum, you may benefit from balloon sinuplasty.  The in-office procedure can correct milder cases of a deviated septum, allowing for better drainage and providing relief from the symptoms of sinusitis.

4.    You Have Long-Term Nasal Congestion

Most people experience a stuffy nose due to congestion, whether it’s due to a cold or the flu. However, you may have a sinus infection if feeling congested recurs or doesn’t improve with time.

Sinusitis causes inflammation, which may block off sinus drainage. The accumulation of mucus combined with swelling can lead to nasal congestion.

Nasal congestion can make it harder to breathe through your nose and remove any extra mucus. If you experience frequent episodes of nasal congestion, you may be a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty.

The procedure helps reduce inflammation and allows your sinuses to drain normally, ending long-lasting nasal congestion.

5.    You’re Experiencing Facial Pressure and Pain

Intense facial pain and pressure, particularly near the sinus cavities around your forehead, eyes, nose, and cheeks, are hallmark signs of sinusitis. Sinus infection, inflammation, and blocked drainage can lead to the pressure and pain you feel.

The pain and pressure can also make your face sensitive to touch and worsen when you move your head or lean forward. These symptoms can be a significant disruption to your everyday life.

Fortunately, you can reduce the intensity of sinus pain and pressure with balloon sinuplasty. The FDA-approved procedure opens, flushes, and cleans your sinuses, alleviating your painful symptoms.

6.    You Have Post-Nasal Drip

Your sinuses are frequently producing mucus. The mucus drains down the back of your throat constantly, and you’re usually not aware of it.

Post-nasal drip is the feeling of mucus traveling down the back of the throat. It happens when the sinuses make too much mucus or the mucus created is thicker than usual, often due to a sinus infection.

The trickle of mucus in the back of your throat can irritate or tickle your throat, leading to a persistent sore throat and nagging cough. The good news is that balloon sinuplasty can address the root cause of post-nasal drip.

During the procedure, your ENT specialist at Chicago ENT will enlarge blocked sinuses. They’ll then drain congested sinus cavities with a saline solution, removing accumulated mucus and built-up discharge.

Balloon sinuplasty offers long-lasting relief from post-nasal drip and other uncomfortable symptoms of sinusitis.

Take Control of Your Sinusitis with Balloon Sinuplasty

If you’re experiencing the signs of a sinus infection, balloon sinuplasty at Chicago ENT can help you find long-term relief. The sooner you seek treatment, the sooner you can get back to breathing better and living a healthy life.

Do you think you could be a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty? Schedule your appointment today at one of Chicago ENT’s six convenient locations to learn more about this treatment! Isn’t it time to breathe better?


Locations

Chicago ENT has six convenient locations throughout the greater Chicago area. For the exact location and/or directions, simply click on the map next to your desired location. To book an appointment, call 773-296-5500 to speak to a scheduler or conveniently online 24/7.

Advanced Center for Specialty Care
3000 N. Halsted Street, Suite #400
Chicago, IL  60657

Phone: 773-296-5500

Office hours:
Monday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Allergy Shot Clinic hours:
Monday 8:30 am -4 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
Wednesday 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Thursday 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Friday 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
Saturday 9 am- 11:30 am
*Shot appointments are by appointment only
*All patient’s are required to wait 30 minutes after receiving allergy shot(s)

Map of the Chicago ENT Lincoln Park Location

St. Mary’s Hospital Professional Building
2222 W. Division Street,
Suite #330
Chicago, IL  60622

Phone: 773-296-5500
Map of the Chicago ENT Bucktown Location

8930 Gross Point Road,
Suite #700
Skokie, IL 60077

Phone: 773-262-4110
Map of the Chicago ENT Skokie Location

2740 W. Foster,
Suite #405
Chicago, IL 60625

Phone: 773-296-5500
Map of the Chicago ENT Chicago North Location

2522 W. Peterson Avenue
Chicago, IL 60659

Phone: 773-262-4110
Map of the Chicago ENT Peterson Location

St. Joseph Ascension Health Outpatient Pavilion
2845 N. Sheridan Rd,
Suite #807
Chicago, IL 60657

Phone: 773-296-5500
Map of the Chicago ENT Lakeview Location