West LA Times

• The lifetime cost of managing acute sinusitis is $38,515
• The management of sinusitis in the United States exceeds $11 billion per year overall
• There are minimally invasive treatment options for sinusitis that can provide long term results and reduce your healthcare costs in return

Managing chronic sinusitis is expensive over time, but a balloon sinuplasty can relieve symptoms so that patients don't have to pay unnecessary healthcare costs. Dr. Matt Hershcovitch of SoCal Breathe Free said the balloon sinuplasty gives long lasting results and has a quick recovery time. 

"This is by far the most effective tool at our disposal to opening the sinus passageways in a minimally invasive way, providing for a quick recovery and an effective long lasting result," said Hershcovitch.

Chronic sinusitis is a condition where the sinuses, or the spaces inside your nose and head, become inflamed and swollen for a period of three months or more, according to Mayo Clinic. This disrupts the normal drainage of mucus, leading to nasal congestion and difficulty breathing through the nose. As a result, individuals may experience a stuffy nose, and the area around their eyes may feel tender and swollen. Triggers include infections, the presence of abnormal growths in the sinuses, like nasal polyps, or sinus lining inflammation. Both adults and children can be affected by this condition.

If chronic sinusitis goes untreated for a long period of time, personal costs can add up. According to a study published in PubMed, the lifetime cost of managing sinusitis is $38,515. Variables include the cost of antibiotics and patients' time away from work due the condition.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology reported that approximately one in eight adults in the U.S. are affected by sinusitis, with more than 30 million diagnoses each year. The management of acute and chronic sinusitis incurs a direct cost of over $11 billion annually. 

Instead of paying constant treatment fees, patients have long term relief options that save money. Balloon sinuplasty is considered safe and minimally invasive by surgeons, according to Nuffield Health. During the procedure, doctors insert a guide wire into the nostrils, equipped with a small balloon, navigate it to the area of blockage, and inflate it to clear the airway.

If you think you could benefit from a minimally invasive sinus treatment to improve your quality of life, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.