NE Valley Times

• One of the main triggers of sinusitis is allergies, and summer allergies are right around the corner.
• There are minimally invasive treatment options available to sinusitis sufferers.
• Dr. Franklyn Gergits and his team at Sinus & Allergy Wellness Center can help to nip your sinusitis and allergy issues in the bud before they cause you to cancel your summer plans.

As summer rapidly approaches, the season of travel, outdoor grilling and enjoying the sunny weather draws near. Regrettably, sinusitis and allergies can cast a shadow over your summer activities, making it crucial to consult a specialist if you encounter these challenges. 

According to Dr. Franklyn Gergits, allergies can contribute to sinus problems, and should you face difficulties, the Sinus & Allergy Wellness Center is available to provide assistance.

"Allergies are a cofactor for nasal/sinus inflammation," Gergits told NE Valley Times. "Oftentimes, patients come into the office and describe that they've got facial pressure and/or facial pain, and they will have facial inflammation or sinus inflammation, but they might also have allergies as well. If we can reduce allergy problems, then we might be able to slowly reduce sinus troubles."

While the onset of spring allergies may be subsiding as trees and flowers finish blooming, it is important to remain vigilant as summer allergies arising from weeds and grasses become the next concern. One of the most common allergy triggers in the summer is ragweed, which doesn't only affect the areas it grows in, as it can travel hundreds of miles on the wind, according to WebMD.

There are minimally invasive treatment alternatives available to address your sinusitis and summer allergies, one of which is a procedure called balloon sinuplasty.

According to sinussurgeryoptions.com, balloon sinuplasty is a straightforward, in-office procedure that typically lasts about one hour. The preparation, which takes approximately 30 minutes, involves the application of a local anesthetic to the nose for comfort. Subsequently, a thin instrument equipped with a balloon is carefully guided through the sinus, and the balloon is delicately inflated with saline for a duration of five seconds. As the sinuses open up, the balloon is then removed.

Dr. Gergits and his team at Sinus & Allergy Wellness Center can help to treat your sinus issues before they put a damper on your plans this summer. The clinic offers balloon sinuplasty, in addition to comprehensive treatment for the full range of ear, nose and throat conditions, from sinusitis and ear infections to a deviated septum or tinnitus.

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