- One of the main triggers of sinusitis is allergies, and summer allergies are right around the corner.
- There's minimally invasive treatment options available to sinusitis sufferers.
- Dr. Andy Wells and his team at Columbia Breathe Free can help to nip your sinusitis and allergy issues in the bud before they cancel your summer plans
With summer in full swing, it's time for traveling, backyard BBQs, and spending time in the warm weather. Unfortunately, sinusitis and allergies can put a damper on your summer plans. Dr. Andy Wells of Columbia Breathe Free said that generally, if you're dealing with sinus problems, you probably also have allergy issues.
"Allergies and sinusitis – those two conditions go hand-in-hand in this region of the country. It's unusual to have sinus problems without allergy issues, as well. They're commonly interconnected. Allergy and inflammation can be a big trigger for sinus congestion and blockage and cause those recurrent infections. What helps our patients the most is to address their sinus blockage up front with a simple balloon sinus procedure and then follow it with appropriate allergy treatment. That keeps them clear and happy and healthy," said Dr. Andy Wells.
As the blooming season of trees and flowers comes to an end, individuals should be prepared for a shift in allergies from spring to summer, with weeds and grasses becoming prominent triggers. One particularly common allergen during the summer is ragweed, known for its ability to travel long distances through the wind, affecting areas far beyond where it grows locally, as reported by WebMD.
When it comes to managing sinusitis and summer allergies, there are effective and minimally invasive treatment options available. One such option is a balloon sinuplasty, a simple in-office procedure that typically lasts around an hour, as outlined by sinussurgeryoptions.com. The preparation phase, which takes approximately thirty minutes, involves the application of anesthetics to ensure comfort. Subsequently, a thin instrument equipped with a balloon is carefully guided through the sinus. The balloon is then gently inflated for five seconds using saline solution, facilitating the opening of the sinuses, after which the balloon is removed.
Dr. Wells and his team at Columbia Breathe Free can help to treat your sinus issues before they put a damper on your plans this summer. They offer balloon sinuplasty, in addition to other ENT solutions for allergy and sinus issues. According to their website, Dr. Wells is a board-certified ENT physician committed to delivering compassionate and attentive care to patients. He has been practicing for 21 years.
Are you curious about whether you have sinusitis and allergies? Test it out by taking Columbia Breathe Free's sinus quiz!
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