Sinus Care
Our Sinus Care Program
The Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth Sinus Care Division diagnoses and treats both acute and chronic sinusitis for patients. Treatment includes medication, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), and Minimally Invasive Balloon Surgery, also known as Balloon Sinuplasty.
What Are Sinuses?
Sinuses are air-filled cavities in the head that are lined by mucous membranes that lead through small openings into the nasal cavity. When the mucous membranes become swollen and inflamed from infectious or allergic sources, the sinus openings into the nasal cavity become blocked. When this occurs, sinusitis develops resulting in more blockage and infection.
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus lining caused by bacterial, viral or microbial infections, as well as structural issues like blockages of the sinus opening. If the sinus opening is closed, normal mucus drainage may not occur, which may lead to infection and inflammation of the sinuses.
What Are the Different Types of Sinusitis?
There are two main categories of sinusitis: acute and chronic. Sinusitis is usually preceded by a cold, allergy attack or irritation from environmental pollutants. Often, the resulting symptoms, such as nasal pressure, nasal congestion, a "runny nose," and fever, run their course in a few days. However, if symptoms persist, a bacterial infection or acute sinusitis may develop. If sinusitis occurs frequently or lasts three months or longer, it may be chronic sinusitis.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Sinusitis?
Common symptoms of sinusitis include:
- Facial pain, pressure
- Nasal congestion or fullness
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- Discharge of yellow or green mucus from the nose
- Teeth pain
- Loss of the sense of smell or taste
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Bad breath
Sinusitis Treatment Options
What Are the Benefits of Balloon Sinuplasty?
- Safe and effective: While use of any surgical instrument involves some risk, studies demonstrate that balloon sinuplasty is safe and effective in relieving symptoms of sinusitis.
- Minimally invasive: The technology uses small, soft, flexible devices introduced entirely through the nostrils. These devices gently open blocked sinuses.
- Reduced bleeding: In many cases, no tissue or bone is removed during surgery using this technology, because of this there may be reduced bleeding. As a result, the need for uncomfortable nasal packing may also be eliminated.
- Fast recovery time: While recovery time varies with each patient, some patients have been known to return to normal activities within 24 hours.
- Does not limit treatment options: Balloon sinuplasty is an endoscopic tool and may be used with other medical therapies or surgical techniques. It does not limit future treatment options if a patient has progressive disease.
Get Started
Take the first step on your journey toward better health.
Our Sinus Care Specialists
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth Sinus Care is comprised of board-certified otolaryngologists Drs. Bernard Durante and Anit Patel of Plymouth Ears, Nose, and Throat. Their knowledge and expertise in combination with BID Plymouth’s advanced equipment and technology provides high quality sinus care for patients on the South Shore and Cape Cod.
