Balloon sinuplasty allows the surgeon to dilate a blocked sinus, creating open space, which allows the sinus to drain normally. The surgeon uses a flexible endoscope with a light to guide the insertion of a thin wire. The wire is then moved through the nasal passages toward the opening of the blocked sinus.
The fluid is instilled by means of a cannula (metal tube) inserted through the thin, bony sinus wall just inside the nose. Usually performed in an outpatient facility or special procedures room in the hospital, sinus drainage take less than half an hour and is done under a local anesthetic.
While sinusitis can be managed at home, you might wonder when to see a doctor for a sinus infection. You must go to an ER doctor for immediate medical treatment if you experience severe symptoms like difficulty breathing and unbearable pain.
Endoscopic sinus surgery is a procedure to remove blockages and treat other problems in the sinuses using an endoscope — a thin, rigid tube with a camera and a light. This type of surgery does not include cutting the skin because it is performed entirely through the nostrils.
Most sinus infections can clear up on their own, or with the help of antibiotics if they're caused by a bacterial infection. Saline sprays, topical nasal steroids, and over-the-counter medicines often bring relief.
With nasal irrigation, you flush away the clog using a saline solution (water and sodium chloride mix) with a neti pot or a rinse bottle. Nasal irrigation thins the mucus that's causing the clog. It rinses away substances causing the swelling.
You might need surgery if you have badly damaged sinus tissue, benign growths (called polyps), a fungal infection or structural problems that are preventing your sinuses from draining.
Acute sinusitis lasts less than a month. Your symptoms may go away by themselves within about 10 days, but it may take up to three or four weeks.
Determining how long your sinus infection will last is dependent on what type you are experiencing. Acute sinusitis lasts for less than four weeks. Chronic sinusitis can last for more than 12 weeks. The majority of sinus infection sufferers will see their symptoms start to resolve after about 10 days.
An inability to breathe should always be treated seriously due to the risk of asphyxiation and as such if your nasal congestion is in any way making it difficult or impeding your ability to breathe, then going to an ER should be the next thing you do.
For adults — See a health care provider if:
You have symptoms for more than 10 days. You have a high fever. What's coming from your nose is yellow or green. You also have sinus pain or fever.
Call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room (ER) if you have any of the following symptoms of sinus infection: Intense sweating. Horrible chills. Inability to breathe.
You should go to an ER if you're experiencing sinus pain along with any of the following serious symptoms: Difficulty breathing. Rash. Neck pain.
When you are under anesthesia, your body needs to be able to take in oxygen and circulate it throughout your body. If you have congestion, it can make it difficult for the anesthesia to do its job properly, potentially leading to complications.
Symptoms of Sinus Drainage
This drainage is typically yellow or green. You may also feel congested and have difficulty breathing through your nose. It also seems that there is a lot of pressure and pain in the face. The most common spots for this are in the eyes, cheeks, forehead, or nose.
In the presence of a sinus infection, there is a small risk of developing a more complicated infection like an abscess or meningitis. All operations in the sinuses and nose carry a rare chance (about 0.1%) of creating a leak of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Most patients feel well enough to go home the day of surgery. You will most likely go home without nasal packing.
a blocked nose. pain and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead. a sinus headache. a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or more.
If you feel that you are blocked up but are not really producing mucus, then this is more indicative of a physical abnormality, such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum. It is quite common for people to complain of having a blocked nose on one side.
Try using a medicine that thins mucus and improves sinus drainage (mucolytic). Guaifenesin is a commonly used mucolytic. Mucolytics are often combined with other medicines such as cough suppressants. Acetaminophen can be found in many forms and comes in different doses.
Nasal congestion typically clears after a few days, but congestion that lasts for a week or more may be a sign of an infection. Left untreated, nasal congestion may cause sinusitis, nasal polyps or middle ear infections.