Williamsburg Sun

• Both allergies and colds are more common in the fall and winter.
• Allergies and colds can potentially develop into sinus infections.
• Richmond Breathe Free offers a range of solutions to treat the underlying conditions causing allergies or sinus infections.

While many people know that experiencing allergy symptoms and common colds is more common in the fall and winter, they may not realize that allergies and colds can develop into sinus infections, the Houston Chronicle reported. Allergies, colds and sinus infections have many of the same symptoms, so it can be difficult to distinguish between them.

Dr. Tran Locke, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist who works at Baylor College of Medicine, said that if symptoms such as congestion last longer than 10 days, it might be time to see a doctor to determine whether a sinus infection has developed. Other symptoms could include a feeling of pressure in the face, a decreased sense of smell, tooth pain or a fever. Many patients can resolve their symptoms through medication, but for some, a minimally invasive surgery might be the best option to treat an underlying condition, Locke said.

"The sinuses are lined by the nasal and sinus epithelium, or lining, and that lining is reactive to allergens. Those allergens cause histamine release and other inflammatory mediators that cause swelling, and they obstruct the tiny sinus openings in which are sinuses normally drain," Dr. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told Williamsburg Sun. "Sinus ostias are usually anywhere between 2 to 3 millimeters in size. But that lining that's around that ostium is dynamic. So if it's inflamed, it's going to swell. If it swells, it can occlude the sinus ostium, or passage, causing a backflow of mucus in the sinus, which then causes a sinus infection. By treating the allergy, you decrease the inflammation, and you can maintain sinus openings so that they drain effectively and reduce recurrent and chronic sinusitis."

Balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery, is a procedure used to clear blocked sinuses, according to Healthline. This surgery is relatively new, having been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005. It’s also commonly referred to as the “smart sinus” procedure.

A balloon sinuplasty procedure lasts 10 to 15 minutes, and patients typically recover within one to two days. Most patients can resume their normal activities during that time period, although they may experience some swelling for up to a week, according to Dr. Michael Eisemann of Eisemann Plastic Surgery Center in Houston.

Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers offers a variety of solutions for people who suffer from sinusitis, allergies and other ENT problems. The website says that Richmond is the "seasonal allergy capital of the United States," with the area experiencing high levels of pollen in the fall and spring, which has led to many residents becoming dependent on allergy medicine. Richmond Breathe Free offers solutions that provide permanent relief for allergy sufferers. The office is located on Cox Road in Glen Allen, Virginia.

Those interested in learning more about diagnosis or treatment of chronic sinusitis are invited to take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.