When is sinus surgery necessary? Signs you shouldn’t ignore
If you’ve been battling persistent sinus pain, congestion that never seems to ease, or recurring infections despite treatment, you’re not alone.
For many, these aren’t just occasional discomforts—they can disrupt daily life. In such cases, sinus surgery may offer long-term relief. But how do you know when it’s time to consider it?
Dr. Peter Baptista Jardin, an expert ENT surgeon in Dubai, provides insight into when it’s time to consider sinus surgery and how it can improve your quality of life.
Understanding chronic sinus problems
Sinusitis is a condition where the sinuses become inflamed and swollen, is often at the heart of chronic sinus issues. This condition can cause persistent congestion, facial pain, headaches, and difficulty breathing.
The common causes of chronic sinus problems include:
- Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi
- Nasal polyps – small, benign growths on the sinus lining
- Allergies that trigger chronic inflammation
- Deviated septum – a crooked nasal wall that restricts airflow, making breathing difficult
When to consider sinus surgery?
While many people experience occasional sinus issues, chronic symptoms that don’t respond to medication or treatments may require surgical intervention.
Here are the key signs that indicate sinus surgery might be the right choice:
- Chronic or recurring sinus infections: If you’re dealing with sinus infections that last for weeks or return frequently despite antibiotic treatments or other medications, surgery can help address the root causes. Blockages are often the culprits, and sinus surgery can clear these obstructions, preventing future infections.
- Persistent nasal obstruction: If you have persistent nasal congestion that makes it difficult to breathe through your nose, surgery can correct any physical obstructions, such as a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates. These procedures can significantly improve airflow and make breathing easier.
- Chronic headaches or facial pain: Sinus pressure can lead to frequent headaches or pain in the forehead, cheeks, and around the eyes. If these headaches are ongoing and tied to sinus congestion, surgery may provide relief by addressing the underlying cause.
- Loss of smell or taste: Chronic nasal congestion can block the senses of smell and taste. If these senses are diminished or lost due to persistent sinus issues, surgery can help restore them by clearing obstructions and improving sinus function.
- Nasal polyps or deviated septum: If you have nasal polyps or a deviated septum causing structural blockages in your nasal passages, surgery can remove the growths or correct the misalignment to enhance airflow and reduce inflammation.
- Ineffectiveness of other treatments: When medications like nasal sprays, allergy medications, or saline rinses fail to provide relief, surgery may be necessary to address the underlying issues directly. Dr. Peter Baptista recommends considering surgery if other non-invasive treatments are no longer effective.
Types of sinus surgery: What are your options?
FESS, a minimally invasive procedure, is the most common type of sinus surgery. Using a small camera (endoscope), the surgeon removes blockages, polyps, or inflamed tissue to improve drainage and ventilation.
A newer, less invasive option, balloon sinuplasty, uses a small balloon to gently dilate the sinus openings. It’s typically done in-office and requires little downtime.
Often performed alongside sinus surgery, this involves reducing the size of the turbinates (structures in the nasal passage) to enhance airflow.
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure to correct a deviated septum, which can obstruct nasal airflow. The ENT surgeon straightens the septum to improve breathing, often performed alongside other sinus surgeries to treat chronic sinus issues.
When to consider sinus Is sinus surgery worth it??
Sinus surgery can provide life-changing benefits for those suffering from chronic sinus problems.
Dr. Peter Baptista emphasizes that the decision to undergo sinus surgery should be based on the severity of your symptoms, the effectiveness of other treatments, and your overall quality of life.
Here are some of the key benefits that you can expect from nasal surgery for allergies:
- Improved breathing and airflow
- Fewer sinus infections
- Better sleep and reduced snoring
- Enhanced sense of smell
- Less reliance on medications
- Long-term relief from sinus-related headaches and pressure
Consult Dr Peter Baptista Jardin for sinus surgery in Dubai
If you’re struggling with chronic sinus issues or allergy-related nasal problems that aren’t improving with medication, consider a long-term solution.
With over 30 years of experience and a remarkable record of 10,000+ successful ENT surgeries, Dr. Peter Baptista Jardin is a trusted ENT specialists in Dubai. His expertise in nasal surgery for allergies, including advanced procedures like FESS, turbinate reduction, and septoplasty, ensures patients receive personalized care with lasting results.
Dr Peter Baptista Jardin
European Board Certified ENT Doctor In Dubai
Dr. Peter Baptista Jardin is an ENT specialist with a special interest in treating sleep apnea. He is a revered expert in Spain for performing the first ever robotic transoral surgery in 2011, and the only series of hypoglossal nerve stimulation proved revolutionary for obstructive sleep apnea treatment worldwide. He currently serves as an ENT doctor in Dubai’s Al Zahra Hospital.
