Williamsburg Sun

• Early intervention for sinus patients can lead to a better quality of life, while also reducing health care costs.
• Untreated sinusitis can lead to serious infections and even vision loss.
• A minimally invasive treatment option for sinusitis is a balloon sinuplasty.

When it comes to sinus issues, early intervention is key, according to Dr. John Ditto of the Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Center. He says that's why it's vital to see a specialist before issues worsen and are more difficult to take care of.

"The earlier that we can arrest the progression of chronic sinusitis, then we can decrease some of the long-term complications, including formation of polyps and significant chronic disease,” Ditto told the Williamsburg Sun. “We recommend early management versus waiting until the situation is severe.”

Ditto said that there could be limited clues on a CT scan, but anything that is detected can be treated right away so that it doesn’t progress.

“As far as quality of life, if you can treat the patient and improve their sinus conditions, then it will decrease their time off from work, which will increase productivity,” Ditto said. “There have been studies to show that chronic sinusitis affects overall productivity. Monetary-wise, time-wise and efficiency. So it's very important to get at it early."

In a study published by the Official Journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, early intervention could result in an improved quality of life, providing long-term relief and cutting costs for care. The study also noted that the earlier a patient is treated, the less they may have to spend on treating other issues connected to sinusitis.

According to Mayo Clinic, left untreated, sinusitis can lead to severe complications, which can include vision loss or infections in the skin and bones.

Healthline reported that balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive sinus treatment option that comes with a quick recovery period, can clear blocked sinuses. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the procedure in 2005, and it is also referred to as the “smart sinus” procedure.

Following the procedure, patients can often return to their normal lifestyle after a day or two, and some patients may even drive themselves home afterward, according to Healthline.

To learn more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.