Medical Reports: Sinus Solution

WSVN -- The pain, the congestion and tons of medication! Cristina Fernandez was sick of her chronic sinus infections!

Cristina Fernandez: "I would have sinus pain on my right side, pain on the teeth also on this side. Pain behind the eyes and that could last for hours."

She tried everything from nasal sprays to piles of pills, but nothing gave her relief.

Cristina Fernandez: "So, I might go two weeks on and a week off, and then go back on because the sinus infection was never really cleared up."

Dr. Gilberto Alemar, Cleveland Clinic Florida: "More than 40 million people suffer from chronic sinusitis or acute sinusitis every year."

Sinusitis is caused by obstructed sinus cavities, which can cause fluid to build up. Dr. Gilberto Alemar at Cleveland Clinic says it can effect people in a number of ways.

Dr. Gilberto Alemar: "Pressure, headaches, pain in the face, nasal congestion, chronic drainage, chronic cough."

Most cases can be managed with medication, but for some patients the only cure is surgery.

Doctor Alemar is using a new procedure on his patients called Balloon Sinuplasty where a tiny balloon is guided through a catheter into the sinus cavity.

Dr. Gilberto Alemar: "We can inflate the balloon, opening and relieving the obstruction, then carefully removing the balloon. Then we have a nice open sinus that we can just rinse and clear the area."

Because there is less tissue removal than with traditional sinus surgery, patients heal within a few days instead of several weeks.

Cristina Fernandez: "Actually, after the procedure when I woke up I had no pain whatsoever."

Cristina had Balloon Sinuplasty a couple of months ago, she says her pain and pressure are gone and she's feeling much better.

Cristina Fernandez: "I wake up every morning feeling good, rested and ready to go."

She's even tossed all her old medications and her life is getting back to normal. The procedure usually takes about an hour and is typically covered by insurance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Cleveland Clinic:
800.223.2273
www.clevelandclinicflorida.org

Dr. Gilberto Alemar
Phone: (954) 659-5786
2950 Cleveland Clinic Boulevard
Weston, FL 33331