Say Good-bye to Chronic Sinus Infections with a New Procedure

Are you one in millions that suffer around the globe from chronic sinus problems? Maybe now with a new medical breakthrough that is expected to provide you with relief from the condition that too many of us have felt much to often than wanted or needed.

The procedure is called balloon sinuplasty and even if you have never chose sinus surgery as an option to better the condition, this may be the first and last surgery that you'll ever need to say good-bye once and for all to the condition.

Elizabeth has been suffering from severe sinus problems that now even typical antibiotics can no longer effectively provide lasting relief. She complains that her head is all "stuffed up," and that she has "bad headaches," while dealing with sinus infections.

Elizabeth is now embarking on a procedure that is typically done in heart patients to unblocked clogged arteries only she doesn't have a heart condition, she's doing it to clear her sinuses.

Balloon sinuplasty is a non-ivasive, outpatient procedure to treat chronic sinus infections. Dr. Vasu Kakarlapudi who works at Indiana's Floyd Memorial Hospital is the first in the region to perform the new procedure which is said to have no bleeding, no bruising and a very short recovery time as once Elizabeth embarks on the procedure she'll be back to work and to her usual regular physical activities by Friday, maybe even sooner.

And as sure as the Doctor ordered, one week later, Elizabeth is recovered and doing much better than what she was before the procedure.

"My head feels a lot better than it did. It's not stuffy and congested," she told the local news which is a great way to feel especially in time for the spring and summer allergy season.

Want to know what generally happens during the balloon sinuplasty procedure? Your physician will place a sinus guide catheter and a flexible sinus guidewire through the nostrils to access the target sinus. Then, a sinus balloon catheter is advanced over the sinus guidewire. Placing the sinus balloon catheter across the blocked ostium and gently inflating, the balloon sinuplasty system is then removed while leaving an open sinus passageway and restoring normal drainage and function to the patient.

Now what exactly happens when one is effected by chronic sinus problems? The openings into the sinuses become plugged up, sinus pressure develops and the nose may or may not feel blocked. The blockages can be caused by infections, irritants, physical problems and allergies. Chronic sinus problems can be common among family while stress may play a big role as well.

A lot of adults will get colds and upper respiratory infections about three times per year to where children tend to get them more frequently. Bacterial infections often follow conditions such as the common cold. When the mucus changes from clear to yellow or green, it usually means a bacterial infection has developed. Both viral and bacterial infections cause swelling of the tissues inside the nose and thickening of the normal mucus. This slows down or even stops proper drainage of the sinuses.

Air pollution, smoke of all forms, and chemical irritants which include sprays either or not containing pesticides, disinfectants and even household detergents. The mentioned irritants could cause swelling and blockage of the narrow channels from the nose to the sinuses in which leading to bacterial growth and sinus infection.