North Baltimore Journal

• 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.

When dealing with sinusitis, it's important to seek treatment as early as possible, as more serious issues could arise down the line, according to Dr. Jamie Oberman of Frederick Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers in Frederick, Maryland.

"Early intervention is key, because you can avoid the recurrent antibiotics that are developing the bacterial resistance," Oberman told North Baltimore Journal. "So when you really need an antibiotic for a serious infection, it might not work anymore. That's one aspect of getting on these earlier."

But antibiotic resistance is not the only consequence of overuse, according to Oberman.

"In addition, the more infections you have, if you're developing polyps, you can lose your sense of smell, which can be permanent. People who lose their sense of smell also lose their sense of taste. In addition, being out of work with sinus infections or sinus headaches, those types of things, all those ramifications. If you addressed them earlier, you'd have people that are thriving and living, not suffering."

An early intervention for a sinus patient 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 a sufferer seeks treatment, the less they'll have to spend on other problems that can result from sinusitis.

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

A minimally invasive sinus treatment option, one that has a quick recovery time, is called balloon sinuplasty. 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 U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2005. It’s also commonly referred to as the “smart sinus” procedure.

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

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