Could You Benefit from Sinus Surgery?

If you’re amongst the millions of people who suffer from sinus issues like chronic sinusitis, but non-invasive treatments haven’t helped you as effectively as you would like, your ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor may recommend surgery. But should you take that option? Here, we’re going to look at some of the most frequently experienced benefits that may help you make your decision.

When to consider sinus surgery

Many of us experience sinus infections, or sinusitis, at one point or another. It becomes chronic, however, when it’s recurring and seems to keep coming back over the years no matter what you do. This can leave you feeling fatigue, congestion and experiencing excessive drainage. If you suffer from the signs of chronic sinusitis or other stubborn sinus issues like a deviated septum, oversized nasal polyps or allergic rhinitis, it can lead to other bothersome symptoms, too. These can include frequent headaches and a diminished sense of smell. If those sound familiar, it might be worth considering sinus surgery.

Surgery can lead to fewer headaches and infections

Though there are different ways of doing it, such as through sinus balloon surgery or septum surgery, all sinus surgery aims to open up the sinuses to allow them to properly drain and maintain airflow. This means a reduced risk of the blockages that can cause sinus infections in the first place and relief from the pressure that leads to sinus headaches.

Reduced facial pressure and pain

As the sinuses become congested and blocked, it leads to a sensation of pressure in the face that is all too familiar to those with chronic sinusitis. This pressure can cause occasional or frequent pain in the cheeks, around the eyes, in the nose, around the teeth and more. Opening your sinuses and allowing them to drain properly relieves that pressure, meaning less facial pain to worry about, too.

Medications may work better

If you have stubborn sinus problems, it’s likely your ear, nose and throat doctor may recommend a medical course of treatment even after surgery. However, the opened sinuses and reduction of pressure can mean that directly administered forms of medication like sprays and rinses have a much easier time of reaching the affected area helping them to prove more effective.

Relieve fatigue and improve sleep

The difficulty breathing that often impedes sleep and the fatigue and exhaustion that can come both from that sleep difficulty and the general difficulty getting enough oxygen can both be combated by sinus surgery. Many patients remark on a noticeable improvement to the quality of life as a result not just of the reduced pain, pressure and congestion, but also due to the improved sleep they often experience after the surgery, too.

At the end of the day, the final decision is yours to make, but don’t hesitate to involve your ear, nose and throat doctor in the conversation. They may be able to provide the information specific to your case that can help you feel informed and confident about your route of treatment, whatever you choose.