In the day to day of our busy lives, we often take the little things in life for granted. Hence, it may be suggested to ‘stop and smell the roses’. But what if you can’t smell the roses? What if you find yourself with a sinus condition that not only affects your ability to sense smell but also affects your ability to breathe right? Houston Advanced Nose and Sinus knows the frustration and struggles that some patients face with regards to being able to breathe right. That’s why they’ve outfitted their team with a board certified otolaryngologist, and specialized staff to meet their patient’s needs.

Sinus Surgery

The goal of sinus surgery is to open the nasal pathway to promote healthy breathing. Causes of obstruction to nasal pathways include damaged or swollen tissue, tumors, mucous membranes, nasal polyps, or pieces of bone. Obstruction can also be caused by severe swelling referred to as sinusitis which can cause the individuals to experience includes pressure around the face, thick nasal drainage, congestion, blocked ears, a stuffy nose, and coughing.  Doctors will employ surgery after they have exhausted certain options such as allergy medications, antihistamines, nasal rinses, nasal decongestant sprays, antibiotics, and oral steroids. The recovery time for each surgical procedure will vary. For example, in-office balloon sinusplasty with a recovery time of a couple of hours, to a deviated septum surgery which can take 1 to 2 months to heal.

Smell loss

A decreased ability to smell known as hyposmia is a very real, and very scary condition that can lead to anosmia, which is a loss of smell. The absence of smell can also be associated with a loss in the ability to taste. Cause of smell loss can range from nerve damage to a simple viral cold. To determine the best course of treatment, the doctor will use a small camera called an endoscope to inspect the nose closely. In the case of a viral cold, the oral steroid will be prescribed immediately. If the complication is a result of something more serious such as a tumor, a more advanced strategy will be employed relative to the severity of the condition.

Chronic Rhinitis

More than 24 million people in the US suffer from a stuffy nose. The cause can range from allergens and pollutants in the air, allergic reactions to certain specials of animals, or a viral infection.  In each case, the nasal lining will be inflamed which will make it nearly impossible to pass any air through the orifice. To which the Houston Advanced Nose and Sinus offer a procedure called ClariFix. This procedure involves the insertion of a small device into the nasal cavity, designed to soothe the inflamed tissue. The procedure has little to no downtime and is extremely effective

Sinus surgeries will range in length, procedure, and recovery. A patient can either expect to go the same day, within a couple of hours, or there may be a need to stay overnight.  In any event, speak to your doctor to gather all the necessary information to make the appropriate arrangements in your daily life.