NE Valley Times

• Up to 45 percent of American adults snore, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology.
• One of the possible reasons for snoring is chronic sinusitis.
• A balloon sinuplasty can provide long-lasting effects, which can help end snoring.

A balloon sinuplasty procedure can provide long-term solutions for patients with sinus problems, according to Dr. Franklyn Gergits of Sinus and Allergy Wellness Center. These solutions could cause less snoring or an end to snoring.

"Studies have shown that years after that procedure, 90 to 95% of the patients had the same nice, wide openings that they did the day of the procedure," Gergits told NE Valley Times. "So it looks like it's a good, durable long-term procedure. Long-term outcomes for the balloon sinuplasty look excellent."

Another procedure is reduction of the size of turbinates, which are tiny bony structures within the nose, said Gergits.

"The studies on that went to 10 to 12 years, and they found that their patients still noticed a benefit of breathing through the nose from the procedure at that time," he said. "They were not seeing a return to congestion and obstruction the way they had prior to the procedure. So both of the tools that we have in our office look good for long-term outcomes."

In an international consensus statement on allergy and rhinology from Wiley, a multi-institutional case-control study was noted that focused on sleep patterns. This study showed that individuals who suffer from chronic sinusitis have an increased number of awakenings during a nights sleep, as well as spend a greater portion of the night snoring.

Other factors that might cause people to snore include drinking alcohol or taking other muscle-relaxing sedatives, certain hormones caused by pregnancy, or being overweight, according to Cleveland Clinic. Snoring over a long period of time can lead to health problems, including a lower blood oxygen level, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and higher risk for heart attack and stroke.

At-home remedies include sleeping on your side, sleeping with your head elevated or using nasal strips. If none of those methods help you stop snoring, a balloon sinuplasty procedure can clear your sinuses for long-lasting relief. The procedure typically lasts approximately 20 minutes, during which an ENT physician will insert a tiny balloon into your nasal sinuses and inflate it, allowing the sinuses to open up and helping you to breathe more easily. The procedure is minimally invasive, pain-free and can be done in the provider's office.

To learn more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.