Sinus Stents
Chronic sinusitis is a common condition that arises when your sinuses face swelling and inflammation for three months or longer. It can prevent mucus from draining as it should and leave you with a persistent stuffy nose.
Some of the most common symptoms of chronic sinusitis include thick nasal discharge, congestion, problems breathing through your nose, and a diminished sense of taste and smell. This condition can feel like a chronic cold and dramatically impair quality of life.
If conservative treatments such as nasal corticosteroids, antibiotics, and immunotherapy deem to be ineffective or only provide temporary relief, surgery may be recommended. During surgery, a doctor will widen the sinus cavities to remove blockages and make it easier for the sinuses to drain properly.
Sinus Stents Offer Relief During Surgery
In order to keep the sinus cavities open after surgery, doctors usually use gauze. Since the gauze must stay intact for about a week, it can lead to extreme pain. Patients often report that they get the feeling that they want to blow their nose but are unable to do so. That's where sinus stents come in.
At its core, a sinus stent is an innovative device that keeps sinus cavities open and eliminates the need for packaging material. A doctor will place it into the nose and into the cavity before they deploy it. Upon deployment, the lightweight stent will spring open and place pressure on the turbinate.
A sinus stent can keep a sinus cavity open for about 30 days. It'll release a special corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory properties to keep swelling to a minimum until it dissolves. When a sinus stent is used instead of gauze, patients are able to breathe easier and enjoy a more comfortable recovery process.
Benefits of Sinus Stents
There are many benefits of sinus stents. In addition to an easier recovery from surgery, sinus stents reduce the need for additional procedures. They also allow for air circulation and mucus drainage to significantly improve the healing process. Since sinus stents dissolve on their own, there's no need to remove them. In fact, many patients often forget they were there in the first place. Essentially, sinus stents maximize the benefits of sinus surgery.
If you're living with chronic sinusitis and looking for long-term relief, consult your ENT doctor about surgery with a clinically-proven sinus stent. It very well may be the solution you've been longing for.
