Columbus Standard

• 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.

Early intervention is key when it comes to sinus issues, according to Dr. Anthony Sanders of the Indianapolis Sinus Center. He said that's why it's important to see a specialist before issues worsen and become more difficult to resolve.

"Generally, people tend to respond better who undergo early intervention versus late," Sanders told Columbus Standard. “After surgery, they tend to require fewer antibiotics and medical treatment, so overall they tend to do better. I think over time, there can be some damage to the body's defense mechanisms and the way they clear sinus infections. For instance, the sinuses are lined with what are called cilia, which sweep a mucus blanket that traps infection out of the sinuses to help eliminate it, and those mechanisms on the cellular and mucosal level can be damaged from chronic infection over a long period of time."

According to the results of a study published by the Official Journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, early intervention could result in an improved quality of life, providing long-term relief and cutting costs for care. The study also noted the earlier a patient is treated, the less they may spend on treating issues connected to sinusitis.

Left untreated, sinusitis can lead to severe complications, which can include vision loss or infections in the skin and bones, according to Mayo Clinic.

Healthline reported that balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive sinus treatment option with a quick recovery period, can clear blocked sinuses. The U.S. Food and Drug administration approved the procedure in 2005, and it is now known as the “smart sinus” procedure.

Following the procedure, patients can often return to their normal lifestyle within a day or two, and some patients may 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.