NE Valley Times

• Early intervention for sinus patients can lead to a better quality of life, while also reducing health care costs.

• Untreated sinusitis can lead to serious infections and even vision loss.

• A minimally invasive treatment option for sinusitis is a balloon sinuplasty.

Dr. Franklyn Gergits of Sinus & Allergy Wellness Center says that seeking treatment for your sinus issues earlier rather than later is important, because it can improve your quality of life.

An early intervention for sinus patients not only increases their immediate quality of life but also improves long-term relief and reduces health care costs, according to the Official Journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology. The earlier you get treated, the less you'll be spending on other problems that can result from sinusitis.

"Quality of life is huge. We kind of take it for granted that we're living our best life, but maybe we're not," Gergits told NE Valley Times. "Maybe there's inflammation that's taking place inside the nasal cavity that's causing facial pressure, facial pain, thick drainage, sore throat, cough, flareups of asthma. Maybe we're not getting the best-quality sleep, and sleep is so important. That's another overlooked symptom.

"If quality of life is not optimized, then it's our job as physicians and providers to try to help patients navigate through those challenges and help them seek relief. Since sinusitis can cause so many different ailments, if we can resolve those problems, then we're not surprised. But patients are often surprised that their quality of life gets that much better, because their breathing pathway and the chronic sinus infections are now a thing of the past."

According to Mayo Clinic, serious complications can result from untreated sinusitis, such vision loss or infections in the bones and skin.

A minimally invasive sinus treatment option, which comes with a quick recovery time, is a balloon sinuplasty. Healthline reported that balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery, is a procedure used to clear blocked sinuses. This surgery is relatively new, having been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005. It’s also commonly referred to as the “smart sinus” procedure.

After a balloon sinuplasty, many people are able to return to their regular activities within a day or two. Some people even drive themselves home from the procedure.

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