Housatonic Valley News

• Balloon sinuplasty is a relatively new procedure.
• Of patients who receive the procedure, more than 95% see improvements of their symptoms.
• Balloon sinuplasty can improve other things, such as quality of sleep.

Patients who are suffering from long-lasting stuffy noses and sinus pressure could breathe freely and see an improved quality of life thanks to a relatively new procedure aimed at clearing blocked sinuses.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information found between 60% to 75% of chronic sinusitis sufferers also had poor quality of sleep. Dr. Robert Weiss of CT ENT Sinus and Allergy said proper treatment can make all the difference. 

"I'd say the key takeaway is, if you've got any of these allergies or sinus or nasal problems, don't accept them as status quo," Weiss said. "Get to an appropriate specialist that is very experienced in these areas and look into what can be done to help, because a lot of times, there are things that can be done, and they're relatively easy to get done. They can have a high impact on your symptoms and your quality of life."

One option is called balloon sinuplasty, known as the "smart sinus" procedure, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005, according to Healthline. It's becoming more popular over traditional sinus surgery for it's reduced risks and recovery times, Good RX noted. 

A study of more than 1,000 patients who underwent balloon sinuplasty procedures found that more than 95% saw improvement in their symptoms, and none of the patients reported any adverse events as a result of the procedure, according to Fierce Healthcare. Within a matter of days, most patients reported better sleeping, easier breathing, and reduced or eliminated facial pain because of sinus pressure, Sleep Review Magazine reported.