South Indy News

• Both allergies and colds are more common in the fall and winter.
• Allergies and colds can potentially develop into sinus infections.
• Indianapolis Sinus Center 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 likely in the fall and winter, they may not realize that allergies and colds can turn 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.

"Not everyone with allergies has sinus problems. Not everyone with sinus problems has allergies, but there's a whole lot of overlap between the two," Dr. Nicholas Hollenkamp of Indianapolis Sinus Center told South Indy News. "They're both different mechanisms of inflammation; they work in different ways. But they both cause inflammation. If the allergies are causing inflammation in the wrong places, that can change your sinus mucus drainage. Once you do that, that makes you more prone to sinus infection, so there's definitely a big overlap between the two. Making sure you're identifying the allergies and treating the allergies is really key for the sinus patients because for some people, it's not surgery that they primarily need, they need control of the allergy issue."

Balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery, is a procedure 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 only 10-15 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.

Indianapolis Sinus Center offers a variety of ENT treatments to help provide permanent relief to patients suffering from allergies, sinus problems and sleep apnea. The practice offers the latest innovative solutions, such as balloon sinuplasty and VivAer. The office is located on East County Line Road in Greenwood, Indiana.

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