For many sinus sufferers, relief comes 'in a minimally invasive, comfortable way' at Frederick Breathe Free

Among the many advantages of newer treatments for sinus patients is that in many cases, general anesthesia is no longer necessary, according to Dr. Jamie Oberman of Frederick Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers.

One of those relatively new treatments is called balloon sinuplasty. A small catheter with a tiny balloon on the end is inserted into the sinus cavity and then slowly inflated, opening the blocked airway.

“It addresses the anatomy in a minimally invasive, comfortable way for the patient, without having to undergo general anesthesia, which was the conventional approach typical before the innovation with the balloons,” Oberman explained. “Under topical and local anesthesia, you can find the normal anatomic opening and widen it, essentially. So if you can open that anatomy with the balloon, it's much less morbidity, safer for the patient, as well as more cost effective and efficient.”

Balloon sinuplasty causes patients very little pain, according to a study published in the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy.

Average recovery times are only 1.4 days, compared to 4.2 days for traditional sinus surgeries, reported the medical journal The Laryngoscope.

The American Journal of Rhinology found that 91% of patients who've had a balloon procedure would do so again, compared to only 49% of patients who've had functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

If you think you could benefit from a visit to the doctor to investigate your sinus symptoms, take this online quiz.

Frederick Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers is committed to providing the best sinus and allergy relief in Frederick and the surrounding areas, using the most advanced, proven patient-friendly techniques available. With 29 million Americans suffering from sinusitis and 242,000 annual chronic sinusitis ER visits, our mission is to provide minimally invasive options for needed long-lasting relief so that patients can get back to living. We call this mission Breathe Free and Live Well, and it is the North Star that guides us in each unique, collaborative patient interaction. To learn more about Frederick Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, please visit our website.