Allergies
Everything You Need to Know About Balloon Sinuplasty For Allergies
February 18, 2022
•
4 minutes
Reviewed by Michael Kaplan, MD
Chronic allergy sufferers may have heard about balloon sinuplasty for allergies and want to learn more about what it’s all about — asking questions like, does balloon sinuplasty help allergies? What even is balloon sinuplasty? Who is a good candidate? And how long does balloon sinuplasty last? If you’ve found yourself asking these questions, then this article is for you. Here is everything you need to know about balloon sinuplasty for allergies!
What is balloon sinuplasty?
Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive, pain-free, and low-risk procedure that helps with everything from chronic sinusitis to symptoms of allergies. The procedure is done with AR-guided technology that uses a 3D map of your specific anatomy to help doctors create the safest and most efficient surgical plan. Once your doctor has located the affected sinus area, they will insert and inflate a small balloon that will reshape your sinuses, allowing proper drainage. The best part? This is all done with no incisions or tissue removal.
Although balloon sinuplasty is pain-free, you can still opt for IV sedation if you are feeling anxious about the procedure. Unlike general anesthesia, which puts patients completely to sleep, choosing to use IV sedation will allow you to be semi-awake and responsive but still relaxed.
The entire procedure is done in-office and takes about 20 minutes so that you can be back on your feet, symptom-free with a short recovery time of between 24 and 48 hours.
Does balloon sinuplasty help allergies?
While balloon sinuplasty doesn’t treat the root cause of your allergies, it can be a great option to help mitigate those pesky symptoms including congestion, chronic coughs, and headaches. This is especially true if your sinuses are contributing to your allergies.
In other words, when your sinuses are blocked or inflamed, the mucus containing various allergens, bacteria, and viruses aren’t able to properly drain, leaving you susceptible to symptoms of sinusitis and worsened allergy symptoms. Balloon sinuplasty is a simple way to help both conditions.
Is there a surgery to get rid of allergies? Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergies. However, there are procedures like balloon sinuplasty that can help lessen allergy symptoms, providing allergy sufferers with long-term relief.
Who is a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty for allergies?
The best candidate for balloon sinuplasty is anyone who suffers from chronic sinus infections and/or allergy symptoms. Since Houston is relatively warm year-round, many Houstonians suffer from allergy symptoms throughout all four seasons. If this sounds like you, you may be a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty.
Symptoms of allergies
Some common symptoms of allergies include:
- Sneezing
- Stuffy nose (allergic rhinitis)
- Itchy nose, eyes, or skin
- Watery or red eyes
- Cough
- Wheezing
- Headache (Keep Reading: Can allergies cause you to wake up with a headache?)
If you suffer from any of the above symptoms without much relief from over-the-counter (OTC) medications or are constantly fighting allergies or sinus infections, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kaplan to see if balloon sinuplasty would help.
How do I get rid of sinus allergies permanently?
As mentioned, there is no way to “cure” or permanently get rid of allergies but you can treat the symptoms. Outside of procedures like balloon sinuplasty, you can try different therapies such as oral corticosteroids, decongestants, the neti-pot, or immunotherapy. Before trying any form of treatment, it’s smart to have some allergy testing done so you can try to avoid as many allergens as possible.
Sick of battling chronic allergy symptoms? Come to Kaplan Sinus Relief!
Many individuals who are looking for chronic allergy relief find it through balloon sinuplasty for allergies. Even though the procedure can’t cure your allergies, it can offer a simple, lasting, and effective solution for chronic allergies in Houston.
If you’re looking for the premiere balloon sinuplasty provider in Houston, look no further than Kaplan Sinus Relief. Dr. Michael Kaplan is one of the pioneers of the balloon sinuplasty procedure and is one of the only doctors in the United States to offer the Targeted Guided Surgery (TGS) navigation system to his patients — making an already safe procedure that much more efficient.
Hear how we were able to help this patient with her severe allergy symptoms!
Think you might be a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty? Call our office at 713-766-1818 or schedule an appointment online.
More Helpful Articles by Kaplan Sinus Relief: