NW LA Times

For millions of Americans who suffer from chronic sinusitis and the discomfort that comes along with it, the balloon sinuplasty procedure is becoming an increasingly common source of relief.

Chronic sinusitis can be reduced or relieved through the use of a “smart sinus procedure,” known as balloon sinuplasty. Balloon sinuplasty is minimally invasive and has the potential to help a patient improve their chronic symptoms. The procedure involves the insertion of a thin balloon, which is then inflated to relieve pressure and buildup in the sinuses.

Dr. Glenn Waldman, an otolaryngologist at Bella Vista ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery, told the NW LA Times, "A lot of this started with the invention of the balloon sinuplasty device, about 15 years ago. A couple of key people who were originally in the cardiac world using balloon dilation techniques for angioplasty and cardiac procedures thought that that same concept or technology might be really helpful in sinus procedures. There was a couple of different devices that were developed and trialed."

Waldman was skeptical at first, but he quickly realized that the treatment could be revolutionary in the world of chronic sinusitis.

"When I first heard about it, I wasn't sure if that was going to be the thing," he said. "But when I started thinking about it, I said, 'Wait a minute, this is something that we can do in the office under local anesthesia and fix the sinus problems without taking the patient to the operating room, without doing major surgery, with minimal downtime.' That was was a huge game changer. That really opened the door, and there was this huge shift in our field."

Chronic sinusitis is defined as sinusitis that persists for three months or longer, according to Mayo Clinic. There are several causes, and it's important to see a doctor if the condition persists.

About 30 million people are diagnosed with sinusitis in the U.S. every year, reports Health eNews.