East Central Texas News

• Both allergies and colds are more common in the fall and winter months.
• Allergies and colds can potentially develop into sinus infections.
• Dallas Breathe Free 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 develop 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.

"Allergies cause mucosal inflammation and swelling, and that also causes the lining of the nose to be more susceptible to infection and become a viral infection," Dr. Monty Trimble of Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told East Central Texas News. "Allergens will set the stage for people getting sick, but they also over time will cause enlargement of the nasal lining, and that can also lead to obstruction of the openings of the sinuses and also lead to inflammation within the sinuses themselves."

Balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery, is a procedure used 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 10 to 15 minutes, and patients typically recover within one to two days. Most patients can resume their normal activities in 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.

Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers offers a variety of testing and treatment options to provide permanent relief for people who suffer from allergies, sinus infections and sleep apnea. The practice offers innovative treatments such as balloon sinuplasty procedures. The offices are located on Cottonwood Lane in Irving and Locke Avenue in Fort Worth.

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